Echoes

I think this may be one of the best books I have ever read! Being an avid reader,that is saying a lot. I feel like I truly know the inhabitants of a small Irish town as if I lived there. Clare was an unusual heroine, full of love and hate, but most of all, real. The story deals with her life , her hopes , dreams, courage, stubbornness, and fears. The author makes you feel all the emotions she is feeling. The other people living in this tiny seaside town are just as real, thanks to Maeve Binchy. W e see all sides of them, and feel their successes and failures as our own. As this story moves to its shattering climax, hopefully it reminds us of the love and compassion each one of us needs.

I always have enjoyed Maeve's books set in 1950s Ireland, and this one is no exception. Plot lines are not Maeve's strong point and, as often is true of her work, about 75% of the way through, the lack of discernible plot leads her to try to tie up the ends with improbable melodrama. Until then, it is an engrossing book, showing Maeve's gifts for depicting characters, relationships, and a good deal of depth about the realities of life. Her characters have wisdom and insight most of us would envy. I especially liked the characters of Angela and Clare, which were developed very well. Most of the men who are part of the action do not fare so well and have fewer dimensions. Overall, it is a highly enjoyable book - the sort which I'd like to have in my bag during a train or bus ride (which, indeed, is just where I gobbled it down.)

Maeve Binchy was a beloved author of many novels and short stories. This is one of her earlier books, set in Ireland with a large cast of unforgettable characters. The story revolves around one love story over twenty years, but also weaves in several other interrelated human adventures through family, culture, class and society, and the changing times. It is a lovely read, with enough intrigue, humor and common human emotion to make one stay up all night just to finish it.

I loved this book, as I have the others I have read by this author. Lots of characters, but I was able to sort them out pretty well. The author does a wonderful job giving each their own identity. The story was extremely engaging and made me care very much what happened. I was sorry to see this book end.

I slugged through the first part of this book..it got better halfway through. Way too much detail...and the writing just didn't flow for me. The ending left me wanting....not sure I will read another book by this author.

Another really enjoyable book from this author, who never fails to please. Her inate ability to draw together the many characters and their individual stories, then weave them into a truly believable story is an art in itself and no-one does it better than Ms Binchy. The characters from this story are rounded and believable, from the town doctor, his haughty wife and medical student son, to Clare, the shopkeeper's daughter, who is determined to "study" herself into a better situation, to the hard-working schoolteacher, who guides Clare through her school years and beyond, This group and all the other characters, who move through the story, make for a very interesting read

great

This was a very interesting story of two young people from different class of society. It is a love story with many twists and turns