Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Heart and Soul
Book Review: Always enjoy the latest Maeve Binchy but...
Summary: 3 Stars
Is Heart and Soul Maeve Binchy's last book? I wouldn't think so except that the cast of characters includes so many from previous books that it's like the finale of some TV series.
Just a partial list of characters includes:
Brenda and Patrick Brennan from Quentins
Father Brian Flynn from Whitethorn Woods (Vintage)
Fiona from Nights of Rain and Stars
The twins from Scarlet Feather
Nora from Evening Class
Although it's enjoyable to see familiar faces, I think this weakens the story. There are so many characters that it's hard to develop any in particular. I really enjoyed Whitethorn Woods with its interwoven stories. Heart and Soul revolves around the patients and staff of a cardiac clinic (what a great setting for a TV series). Each significant character moves through major life changes. Some are well drawn, others are two-dimensional. The most interesting character portrayal is Frank, the uptight hospital administrator. Heart and Soul opens in his point of view, and he's two dimensional to the point of being irritating. He's never front and center again in the story, but his development is the most subtle and interesting.
I enjoyed Heart and Soul because I am a loyal Maeve Binchy fan, but she can and has recently done better. It seems lazy to me to use major and minor characters in this book - maybe that's a sign there is too much going on. More focus on a few less storylines would have allowed her to develop new characters like the young doctor Declan more fully.
Book Review: Another good book bu Binchy
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read every book by Maeve Binchy and loved them all. This is another good one, I always look forward to reading her books.Book Review: Another winner!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ms. Binchey has done it again. Loved the way she incorporated previous characters from other books into this one. Kind of like meeting old friends again. Hated to see the book end, can't wait for the next one.Book Review: Basically Boring!
Summary: 2 Stars
This was the first Maeve Binchy book I've read and I'll probably not read another. I see from other reviews that many who normally like her didn't like this book so I must have picked her worst book for my first encounter with her. It was boring and even disjointed at parts. It was like reading many short stories and not good short stories. I will finish it but only because I'm obsessive that way; otherwise I'd quit now.Book Review: Book of the Year
Summary: 5 Stars
The best book of the 19 best sellers I've read in the past six months.