Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Circle of Friends
Book Review: Don't miss Binchy's best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read a couple other Maeve Binchy books and was not impressed, but I remember seeing the movie CIRCLE OF FRIENDS in about 1995 and liked it, so I tried this one. I LOVED it!!! I immediately became involved in the lives of Benny and her friends in Ireland as they start college in Dublin. They come from different family backgrounds and social strata. There's hope, love, hatred, suspense, betrayal, surprise, death, and mostly friendship. Everything you could want in an excellent read. (The anal-retentive editor in me kept wanting to pick up a red pencil to fix the sentences that had no verbs, were run-ons, or had verbs that didn't match the subject. But when the story's good enough that those things don't really bother me, I know it's a good story!) Totally engaging -- almost 600 pages, and I didn't want it to end! I could hardly put it down. Wonderful! Don't miss it!Book Review: Friendships
Summary: 4 Stars
Circle of Friends by Maeve BinchyMaeve Binchy's Circle of Friends focuses on the friendships of Benny and Eve, starting from their childhood years in Knockglen, to their days at college in Dublin. Benny is a large over weight young woman, somewhat shy, and Eve is a petite girl who grew up as an orphan with a convent of nuns. Together, they share life's joys and sorrows and experience what growing up is all about.
While a few chapters focus on their early childhood, the bulk of the book takes place in College. Eve and Benny decide to go to school in Dublin, and while Eve gets to move out from the convent and into her own place, Benny ends up living at home with her over-protective parents.
Despite the fact that she doesn't have as much freedom as her college-mates, Benny does make many new friends at the college. Benny and Eve meet Nan, a beautiful young woman who befriends them on their first day of school. The three of them become best of friends, and are always seen hanging out together. On the same day, they also meet Jack Foley, a very good-looking son of a local doctor, and soon Benny falls in love with him. These two and many other new friends become part of Benny and Eve's new life at college. A lot of parties and lunches and good times are had by all.
As always, there is a huge cast of characters in this Maeve Binchy novel, along with complicated plot twists which all get resolved at the end. The book takes us back and forth between the two towns, throwing in various subplots including the story behind Eve's family history, which could be a novel in itself. The book's main emphasis, however, is friendship and betrayal, and the loyalties that one makes throughout their lives. Circle of Friends comes highly recommended from this reader.
Book Review: one of my favorite books of all time
Summary: 5 Stars
if you have read other books by Maeve Binchy, completely disregard any opinions you have about her writing and read Circle of Friends. It is a million times better than her other works, and a wonderful read. It is funny and heartwarming, with the kind of characters you wish weren't fictional so you could find them and meet them. It is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day.Book Review: "Overated and Boring"
Summary: 1 Stars
This was the first Maeve Binchie book that I have read and it will be my last. I realize this writer has been around for a hundred years or so and take my word for it after reading Circle of Frends it shows. I'm sticking to a real pro at writing, works by Nora of course. The only reason I bought this book was because of seeing the book title mentioned on several messageboards (like every other post, dah!) Anyway, I was sadly disappointed as one might imagine. The story is boring, and the characters need to take some vitimans, maybe a B12 shot or something to put a little life back into them. Did I hear the word RETIRE! (Oh well, this is just one man's HONEST opinion, take it or leave it.)Book Review: "Circle of Friends": A Surprise Favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
(age 15) My mother recommended this book to me at the beginning of summer after I had just finished an immensely good book, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. I wasn't keen on Circle of Friends (we'll call it COF), so I started out the book rather negative. Boy, was I wrong.
I enjoy the book better than I could have imagined. Benny, Eve, Nan...all seem so real. I learned many things from teh book too (I don't mean to sound so school-ish)...but I learned from Nan to not answer questions directly (LOL) and I learned from Benny an Eve how to remain strong. Its a wonderful book that captivates the reader and I was sad to have it end ( I wanted to know what happened next! ) So give it a try. I think you'll like it.
WARNING! The movie is a let down, though I did enjoy watching it. They changed many things about the characters in the beginning right up until the end. I wondered what Maeve Binchy had to say about how it was changed---it changed Benny's morals to the extreme. Watch it anyway, though, M. Driver does a good performance.