A Week in Summer: A Short Story

by Maeve Binchy

After many happy years of marriage and raising a family, Brian and Kathleen suddenly find themselves a bit lost in life. Midwesterners who’ve never traveled, Kathleen decides that what she and Brian need is a vacation, and with the help of an enthusiastic travel agent she plans a trip to Ireland in search of her roots. In beautiful, quaint Lisdoonvarna, to the couple’s surprise, they find themselves in the midst of a joyous yearly gathering dedicated to celebrating the life and work of a late Irish poet, and they rediscover something much more important than evidence of long-dead their love for each other and for life itself.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Romance, Ireland, Ebooks, Irish Literature, Chick Lit

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Anne Maeve Binchy Snell was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings. Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
She appeared in the US market, featuring on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Recognised for her "total absence of malice" and generosity to other writers, she finished third in a 2000 poll for World Book Day, ahead of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King.

Reviews

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably one of the few short stories by Binchy I did not get or like. I think the whole resolution with the husband was just off. I liked the idea of the married couple going to Ireland for vacation, but it just didn't have enough details to make it really come alive.

"A Week in Summer" follows married couple Brian and Kathleen. In their fifties, the two of them are stuck in a routine. They live in America in the Midwest and besides their two daughters, don't seem to take much interest in things going on elsewhere it seems. Kathleen always wants to go on vacation, but Brian always says no due to having so much to do (he's a teacher, writes poetry, etc.) When Brian gets in trouble at work which results in no energy to do much, Kathleen decides on a vacation of the two of them. She ends up choosing Ireland (where her ancestors are from). The story just follows them as they go to County Clare for a week.

As I said above there's not a lot of details in this one. I also didn't really like Brian. And the resolution with him made me go um so we are just going to ignore this? Okay then. Not a very satisfying read or ending.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like with most short stories, I was left feeling dissatisfied because I wanted MORE!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, quick short story....

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Maeve Binchey, but this was not one of her best stories; it just didn't have the usual heart and warmth to it.

[Rajul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian and Kathleen are married for a long time. They live in America where Brian is a maths teacher and Kathleen is kind of a home chef. They have two kids and are not well off. Kathleen always wanted to go on a vacation but Brian always said no. Since Brian is having some trouble at work and is no longer his old self, Kathleen decides a vacation is all that need. Due to low budget she plans a vacation to Ireland. The short story is all about her and w the vacation changes their life. (for better or worse? You decide) I did love Kathleen's character and the efforts she puts in her marriage and Brian.

[Karissa Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to the audio version, which was a recording of Maeve herself reading to a live audience(!!), whilst cooking dinner one night in summer 😁

[Tracey Kunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story

Fun short story about a Midwest couple who go to County Clare Ireland for a week in the summer with interesting results.

[Trish L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Calling this a short story is a gross understatement. Didn’t love the writing style.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very real and relatable start, but ended on a bit of a weird note.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it was a short story, but it was just odd. I think some authors are an acquired taste, and I'm not sure if I like Maeve Binchy or not.

The main character loved her husband, he was the love of her life, but he never wanted to do anything, he kept having to find new careers, and they didn't have anything in common. She was dying to go on vacation for years and never did because he didn't want to? It was just odd as I said before.

[Donna Peake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even in a short story Maeve reels you in with her characters. A woman who loves her husband & wants to experience a vacation with him. A husband who has lost his way after losing a job in his late 50's. The vacation of a lifetime that brought the two of them together over a poet.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but I felt there was more to be said... it ended too soon.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Binchy's way with words but I found the story a bit unsatisfying.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Either read (29 pages) or listened to (33 minutes), this short story is so short I’m not really sure we actually get a story

Brian and Kathleen after years of marriage have found themselves at an unhappy crossroads. When Brian’s job leaves him high, dry, and despondent, she decides they need a vacation. She books a week in Lisdoonvarna where, coincidentally, they are celebrating the work of a late, great Irish poet.

While my heart goes out to Kathleen, I didn’t care at all for Brian. Kathleen loves her husband, tries very hard to put some spark back into their marriage. Brian, who’s never been one to do much of anything fun, suddenly participates in various activities, joining the celebration. And what happens in the conclusion leaves me scratching my head.

I was shocked! She is willing to accept this Brian. I was thinking perhaps he was in need of a psychologist.

Not wholly thrilled with this one either. I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts. 3.5 stars

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Week in Summer by Maeve Binchy is a sweet short story filled with reminders that life and love are rarely as simple as we'd like. People are complex and relating to one another isn't always as easy as we'd like. Yet, there can be moments that change everything often seeming serendipitous. Binchy writes characters in relatable dilemmas that feel like they could be real sometimes with an interesting twist that changes the perspective of both the characters and the reader. A Week in Summer exposes a couple who seem to have drifted apart and fallen into a bit of a rut in their routine to a new way of looking at not only the world but their relationship in the process. Binchy's development of the couple in the story and the connection to the past that showed them the possibility for a future made me think about life and the connections in my own life. A Week in Summer explores the complexities and the simplicities of life and relationships in what is far more than the vacation at its center.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely short story by one of my favorite authors. Kathleen & Brian have never had a vacation; there's always been something preventing their going--first the dairy farming &, when that job failed, the flax farming. As each job came to an end, Brian would need to find a new way of earning a living which usually involved a move. Fortunately, Kathleen had found a portable type of career so she could continue wherever they went. But now, Brian's teaching job is done & there's nothing on the horizon. Kathleen decides now is as good a time as any to take their first vacation together to cheer Brian up, but what kind of vacation should it be? As she ponders all the offerings of the travel agency, little does Kathleen imagine what this vacation will come to mean. A wonderful story as are all of Binchy's tales with a lesson to be learned. I really liked it.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Maeve Binchy in the past and loved all of those books but this “book” left me wanting. It barely qualifies as a short story and really reads more like a diary entry than a story at all. Husband Brian has always been a bit weird, finally loses his job after speaking out over Iraq war comments. Seems distracted, uninterested. I wanna take a vacation since we never, ever had one in the past. Went to Ireland for a week now Brian thinks he is reincarnated Irish poet. Yes we will be back next year.

Nothing more. Did they go back? What did they do after returning from their week abroad? Too many unanswered questions.

[Judi Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve Binchy has a way of capturing images of the people and places in Ireland in her writing that make me as a reader feel like I am there. While I prefer her novels over her short stories (because the characters have more time to develop and so many times she brings characters from one book into a cameo appearance in another one), this short story was fun and full of the same charm as her longer books.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ireland

Kathleen and Brian take a trip to Ireland for a week one summer because Brian has just been fired from his teaching job for saying that the Iraq war is wrong. They go to trace Kathleens family but end up signing up for a course on marriage and joining a festival about the poet, Brian Merriman. Hated that is was a short story but an enjoyable read.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Senior Couple's Visit To Ireland"

This is another wonderful short story by a very popular author. Here, Brian and Kathleen have raised their family and are now wondering what to do with their lives. So they finally take a vacation to Ireland for Kathleen to search for her ancestry. At the same time, they rediscover their true love for each other. A sweet story to enjoy.

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Maeve Binchy’s novels —they are wonderful! This is my second time reading this short story—the last time was 8 years ago apparently — and it was pretty good, although not even close to as good as her novels. It did make me think I’d like to go back and read some of her novels though. She was a really great writer, and I miss her!

[Laura Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted there to be more!! Such depth of character in such a short story. Brian and Kathleen together and married for a long time, have children, and fall into a rhythm. My words don’t do it justice, the second guessing but not second guessing the falling apart of a couple/marriage and the trying to tie it back in place. Great short story.

[Bobbie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

After many years of raising two daughters and moving around due to her husband's changing jobs, Kathleen longs to get away for a vacation, and chooses a small town in Ireland, where they arrive at the start of a weeklong festival celebrating the life and work of a late Irish poet, a week that rejuvenates their lives.

[Slow Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have forgotten how much I used to love this author. I was looking for a short story to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon and I stumbled upon this gem. It’s time to feel that coziness in the arm of Ms Binchy.

[Veronica Smyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot felt weak and it jumped through things quickly. I just didn't feel satisfied after reading the story. It felt like a waste of time and I do not have a desire to read anymore from this author.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Maeve Binchy

Every book I've ever read by Maeve has been intriguing....the way she weaves characters together is magical! Love every one of her books that I've read.

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of books written by Marge Binchy and always enjoy them. A Week in Summer was short but really well written. I think a lot of people who have been married for years can relate to her characters and their week of renewal. Enjoy

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really too short to have much of an opinion about it or to be even a little invested in the characters. All I can say is it was pretty charming with the lovely landscapes of Ireland as a background.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read

I read this- twice - and still have as many questions as I have answers. My brain hurts. There is no plot. There is no purpose. There is no point to this short story.

[Pamela Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve writes about people as though they are your neighbors or best friends.

The story moved along quickly. I felt as though I was the one planning a week away. The ending left enough room to feel good and imagine just how the character's lives might have changed.