Helpful Score: 9
Reading Maeve is like chatting with an old friend...
Helpful Score: 6
Better than the movie! A great story about friendship and love and being true to yourself over both.
Helpful Score: 4
As always, Binchy turns out another great story. Eve and Bennie are friends since grade school. The story takes you from there to their college years. Eves mother was a rich lady whose family lives in the largest house in the small town. The family wants nothing to do with Eve even after her mother and father die. The father was a handy man who obviously did not have the respect from his in-laws. Therefore, Eve is raised by the nuns of the town. She is a small, petite girl with a strong personality. Bennie, whose father owns the local gentlemans clothing store, is a big boned girl with beautiful long chestnut hair. The Circle of Friends is actually Bennie and Eve as the core and then friends they meet thru college in some instances, tragically. Bennie falls in love with one of the most popular good looking boys. He loves her but he also loves other women. Which gets him into trouble. Nan is from a family of modest means whose father is a drunk. She is desperate to get out of this life and will do just about anything to get there. Including betraying her friends. I enjoyed this book very much
Helpful Score: 4
I think this is Binchy's best! I could read this every month and never get tired of it. Don't see the movie!! READ IT!
Helpful Score: 3
This is the second book listened to by this author and I really enjoy her story telling style. Very nice story.
Helpful Score: 1
Definitely my favorite Maeve Binchy book!! I couldn't put it down the characters were richly woven in this lovely Irish tale of friends growing up.
Helpful Score: 1
great story about friends
Helpful Score: 1
one of my favorites
Helpful Score: 1
This book was far better than the movie. And I ADORE the movie...:D I'm not a traditional reader of Maeve Binchy.... nor this type of book, usually.... but I fell in love with the film, and when I stumbled upon the book I knew I needed to read it.
Fabulous, I finished this book in a weekend and I'd read it again if I wasn't trying to get some more shelf space.... for more books...:P
Fabulous, I finished this book in a weekend and I'd read it again if I wasn't trying to get some more shelf space.... for more books...:P
Helpful Score: 1
Good book.
Helpful Score: 1
Lovely book...
Helpful Score: 1
I just love Maeve Binchy's books and this one doesn't disappoint. I was sad to see it end and will always wonder what happened to Benny, Eve, Jack, Nan and the others.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a sweet, Irish small town love story, that expands to take in more eccentric characters, romance, drama, and even attempted murder, in Dublin.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful book! You can't go wrong with any Binchy book. It was a good movie, also.
Helpful Score: 1
As most of Binchy's books it takes a little while to get into this book, but once you do you are swept up into her intricate characters and detailed plots. I enjoyed this book very much.
Helpful Score: 1
Maeve Binchy continues to be one of my favorite authors, if you have seen the movie, you will love the book even more.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic Binchy! Loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good book about two friends, Benny and Eve, who grew up, inseparable. Benny grows up trying to break free from her adoring parents. Eve, an orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, has been abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Benny and Eve grow up knowing the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains, except their own. Their friendship continues to grow at the university where they meet new friends and experience heartbreak and betrayal.
Maeve Binchy always spins a good story!!!
Friends who are there for each of other through thick and thin and who care for one another in different ways. Love, betrayal, loyalty, fear, struggles. Set in Dublin, Ireland. I enjoyed it, not one of my favourites because of the betrayal part.
Very different book written about the English commonman in the early 19th century. Well written.
Excellent story of a young girl growing up in a small Irish town. Her friends, her joys and fears. We watch her grow up. I loved it!
I loved this book. It is the story of two girls growing up in a village in Ireland in the 50s. It is about friendship and choices and love. A must read.
I stayed up all night reading this book because I simply could not put it down!
Mave Binchy is one of my favorite authors, Tara Road was my favorite book so far. Circle of Friends is also a good read, centering around true friendships and betrayals.
Where do I begin to sing praises of Binchy and her writing? Story of these simple Irish people will have you riveted, especially the friendship of Benny and Eve. Reading Binchy's novel is like coming home even if you've never set foot on Irish soil.
This is one of my all time favorite books. 5 stars on this one. I can read it over & over.
I really enjoyed this book after the movie being a favorite of mine for a long time. It brought the characters to life for me.
The circle began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the tiny village of Knockglen. Benny - the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents. Eve - the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by the nuns. Eve and Benny - they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
The circle blossomed in Dublin, to the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, the handsome son of a doctor. But heartbreak and betrayal would eventually bring the sheltered world of Knockglen and Dublin together in an explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would surface to test the meaning of love and to try the strength of bonds created within the fragile gold bands of a Circle of Friends...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; as I have enjoyed so many of Maeve Binchy's books that I've read in the past. I originally thought that I read it about fifteen or twenty years ago, but I was mistaken. I don't believe that I've ever read this book before. However, I do remember watching the movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, when it came on television about seven months ago.
I loved both the book and the movie, but they were each so different that I was slightly confused over whether I had actually read the book before. I give Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy an A+!
The circle blossomed in Dublin, to the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, the handsome son of a doctor. But heartbreak and betrayal would eventually bring the sheltered world of Knockglen and Dublin together in an explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would surface to test the meaning of love and to try the strength of bonds created within the fragile gold bands of a Circle of Friends...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; as I have enjoyed so many of Maeve Binchy's books that I've read in the past. I originally thought that I read it about fifteen or twenty years ago, but I was mistaken. I don't believe that I've ever read this book before. However, I do remember watching the movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, when it came on television about seven months ago.
I loved both the book and the movie, but they were each so different that I was slightly confused over whether I had actually read the book before. I give Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy an A+!
This is my favorite Maeve Binchy book, and the ending is much better than the movie!
Big, generous-hearted Benny and the elfin Eve Malone have been best friends growing up in sleepy Knockglen. Their one thought is to get to Dublin, to university and to freedom...
On their first day at University College, Dublin, the inseparable pair are thrown together with fellow students Nan Mahon, beautiful but selfish, and handsome Jack Foley. But trouble is brewing for Benny and Eve's new circle of friends, and before long, they find passion, tragedy - and the independence they yearned for
On their first day at University College, Dublin, the inseparable pair are thrown together with fellow students Nan Mahon, beautiful but selfish, and handsome Jack Foley. But trouble is brewing for Benny and Eve's new circle of friends, and before long, they find passion, tragedy - and the independence they yearned for
Great book!
The book is oh so much better than the movie! Wonderfully written - one of Binchy's best!
Benny Hogan and Eve Malone grew up inseparable in the village of Knockglen. Benny was an only child yearning to break free from her adoring parents. Eve was orphaned, an offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood. She was abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. This pair knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
slightly used, corners on front slightly upturned, but still good condition to read and pass along to friends
Great book couldn't put it down even better than the movie.
Friends growing up in Ireland find love, betrayal and lies.
This is the first Binchy book I ever read and is still my all time favorite by this author. I like that her books always have a bit of mistycism, but not overdone and I always feel I am right in the setting where the story takes place. Makes me want to travel to Ireland.
Beautiful novel set in Ireland. Heartbreak and betrayal bring two worlds into explosive collision. Long hidden lies emerge to test the meaning of love and friendship.
A heart warming story of friendship and love. It will lift your spirits.
So couldn't get into this...
Very good book I had a hard time putting it down.
I read the book after I had seen the movie...and let me just tell you the book is so much better. I couldn't put it down! The story and characters are much more complex than the movie would lead you to believe.
It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny, the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents... Eve - the orphaned off spring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns.
Wonderful story, Binchy is a lyrical storyteller that weaves warm and richly developed characters into a setting that feels like a trip to Ireland. This was my first book by her, read years ago and I have read all but the latest of her books and have never been disappointed.. They are like a vacation.
Wonderful story- I would reccomend all of Maeve Binchy's novels
Charming story of school friends. Binchy is such a gentle, great story teller.
One of her best, and they're all very good.
I have loaned this to my daughter and she loved it -- and I did see the movie. She said they were very similar except the book is SO much better. I LOVED the movie!
I haven't read the book but the movie was really good - it starred chris o'donnell and minnie driver (her first movie)
this was one of the best books this author has written...
This is the first Maeve Binchy book I have read. It is truly now one of my favorite books. I enjoyed every word of it. I was surprised how funny the story and some of the characters were. I liked how there was a main story, but also a bunch of other smaller stories going on the side that all merged to one GREAT story. Maeve Binchy is great at getting to the heart and emotions of the characters. I recommend this book highly.
Bincy always develops her characters so well. This is a true story teller. You'll enjoy it.
Maeve Binchy is one of my favorites and this is one of her best.
Simply wonderful - you will love it.
I love this book. Great Read
Benny and Eve are the best of friends in this novel set in Ireland by Maeve Binchy. After they go to University they met handsome Jack Foley and the poor but beautiful Nan Mahon. The best friends' lives are turned upside down and secrets are revealed that may change their friendships with each other and with Jack and Nan forever.
Reading one of Maeve Binchy's novels is like coming home...and Circle of Friends welcomes you in..This story begins with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone growing up inseparable in the village of Knockglen. Benny - the only child yearning to break free from her adoring parents....Eve - the orphaned off-spring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns - Eve and Benny - they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
I love everything Maeve Binchy writes and this was no exception!
This book 1 o 4 in a box set. Never read.
Really good book!
What a great novel. Big 596 pages.
I like her style, and have loved almost everything I have read by her.
another great book from Maeve Binchy!
It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen Benny - the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents...Eve-the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman, and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny-they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
Another great Binchy read and probably the best story in my opinion. The characters were well-developed and some you could love and some you could hate. It's a coming-of-age story that follows the lives of several girls as they grow into young women, navigate romantic relationships, and try to come to terms with who they are as people. I'm looking forward to reading Firefly Summer next and would highly recommend her books to those who love reading about Ireland.
Loved this book, loved the characters and the narrative. I felt sad when it was over because I related to them so much
From cover:
It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny--the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents...Eve--the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny--they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
It widened at Dublin, at the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahlon and Jack Foley, a doctor's handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a...
It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny--the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents...Eve--the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny--they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.
It widened at Dublin, at the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahlon and Jack Foley, a doctor's handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a...
Loved the movie!
i didn't read it
