Firefly Summer - Maeve Binchy

This book, written by Maeve Binchy, was first published in 1997. I first read it when I was about 15, but had forgotten most of the content. As I've read everything that Binchy has written I thought it was time to go back and start them all again!

THE AUTHOR:

Binchy comes from and lives in Ireland. Nearly all of her books are set in Ireland. She was once a journalist and now writes novels full time.

AVAILABILITY:
...shops, which is very handy when they sell them for 50p! The book sells on book websites and is on Amazon for £5.59 (from 1p used). RRP is £6.99.

CONTENT:

The book is lovely and long. My paperback version is over 750 pages. For me this is an advantage, I don't like books that end just as you get into them, I like to lose myself in a book.

The story centres around two families, the Ryans and the O'Neils, ... more

This book, written by Maeve Binchy, was first published in 1997. I first read it when I was about 15, but had forgotten most of the content. As I've read everything that Binchy has written I thought it was time to go back and start them all again!

THE AUTHOR:

Binchy comes from and lives in Ireland. Nearly all of her books are set in Ireland. She was once a journalist and now writes novels full time.

AVAILABILITY:

I often find Binchy's work in charity shops, which is very handy when they sell them for 50p! The book sells on book websites and is on Amazon for £5.59 (from 1p used). RRP is £6.99.

CONTENT:

The book is lovely and long. My paperback version is over 750 pages. For me this is an advantage, I don't like books that end just as you get into them, I like to lose myself in a book.

The story centres around two families, the Ryans and the O'Neils, and is set in the small town of Montfern in the 1960s. In the town there is an old house which lies in ruins called Fernscourt. The house has been in ruins for over 50 years and is used by the children of the town as a 'playground'.

The Ryan family run Ryans Pub, just across the river from Fernscourt. John and Kate Ryan have four children: the twins Dara and Michael, Eddie and Declan. The story begins when the twins are 12 and covers 4 years of the lives of those who live in the sleepy town.

The town learns that Fernscourt has been bought by an American, Patrick O'Neil. Patrick hads 2 children: Kerry and Grace. His wife has died but he does have a mistress, Rachel. Patrick's father was originally from Mountfern but had left long before Patrick was born. He always complained about Ireland and about how his family were treated by the Fern family who lived in the Big House. Patrick, however, wants to go back to Ireland , to his 'home'. He is a successful business man and buys the house where his ancestors' opressers lived.

There is great excitement in the town when they hear of the American coming. Patrick is very charming and he soon wins almost everyone round. The only person who dislikes him is Fergus Slattery, the local lawyer, who Kate Ryan works for. Kate isn't too sure of Patrick either. Both her and Fergus realise that once his plans to turn Fernscourt into a hotel come into being Ryans will lose a lot of business.

The first part of the book tells of the O'Neils trying to settle in to their new surroundings. They rent a house, Grace begins school and is immediately friends with all the children and Keryy is sent away to school. The old Fernscourt is demolished and building work begins on the new one.

Just as Fernscourt is getting off the ground, Rachel comes from America. She is Patrick's desigfner, as well as his mistress. She meets Kate Ryan and they instantly get on and are to remain firm friends thoughout the book. However, later that day Kate has an accident. She is walking and heads towards Ferncourt. She doesn't notice signs saying beware and she is hit by a digger. As she lies in hospital it becomes clear that Kate will never walk again.

The rest of the book tells of the aftermath of the accident. Kate's friendship with Rachel develops, with Rachel organising Kates new room for when she moves back to the pub. Michael Ryan begins a relationship with Grace O'Neil. Dara Ryan begins a relationship with Kerry O'Neil, who becomes a dangerous young man, up to his eyes in gambling debts. There is a compensation case for Kate's acciednt and the new Ferncourt hotel is finally built.

To say any more would, I think, spoil the story, so I'll let you read the rest and hope that I've said enough to encourage you to read it!

MY VERDICT:

I am a huge fan of Binchy's work and this book is no different. She writes wonderfully and I could actually picture the characters and settings as she writes them. As well as the main characters, who are all written with depth and feeling, there are a host of others who add drama and comedy. There is Shiela Whelan in the post office who never gives an opinion and who everyone confides in. Rita Walsh runs the hair salon but at night she 'entertains' gentlemen! The Ryans dog Leopold is a character in himself.

The characters are wonderful. The book is long and rambling, but never dull. Some parts made me laugh and I will admit I also cried a few times. The ending left me wanting more, but it was a natural conclusion. I think that a good book should leave you wanting more.

There was no disappointments with the book, apart from the fact that it ended! Thoroughly recommended. 

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