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Destinations
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Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Sheila O'Flanagan
98 books1,249 followersAs you can see, a Dubliner all my life. My parents owned a grocery shop in the Iveagh Markets, in the Liberties area of the city and I guess city blood runs through my veins.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 29, 2017
Normaal vind ik boeken met korte verhalen wat tegenvallen. Of ik vind de verhalen niet voldoende uitgewerkt. Of ik vind het ene verhaal wel leuk en het andere niet. Bij dit boek had ik daar geen last van. De meeste hadden de juiste lengte en van de meeste heb ik ook genoten. De verhalen hebben allemaal met openbaar vervoer te maken. Al speelt het in het ene verhaal een grotere rol dan in andere. Een aantal verhalen waren ook verrassend. En in een aantal kwamen ook serieuze onderwerpen aan bod. Een eindigde wel wat raar. Sommige personages kwamen ook weer terug in andere. Dat vond ik wel leuk. Maeve Binchy doet dat ook vaak. Al met al een leuke bundel. Mocht je de schrijfster nog niet kennen, dan is dit een mooie manier om met haar kennis te maken.
November 11, 2010
Hmmmm not the greatest of her books. It started off with a good story then ended quite quickly then on to another story which was annoying but the thing is I don't mind short story reads but this one just wasn't my thing!
January 11, 2016
First book from the author that I read. It's an interesting collection of short stories. Some are really good and interwoven together to show the POV of all the characters involved. Overall, a light, feel-good book which has dwelled into the emotions of characters.
April 11, 2013
This was the first book I'd read from this author. Didn't realise when I purchased it that they were short stories but enjoyed them and would definitely read more of her books.
February 19, 2017
Mmm. Alright. Bit too disjointed for me. Not as good as her other books.
January 3, 2009
A light hearted read
July 22, 2026
(3.5 estrellas)
Tenía el libro en físico y me lo he ido llevando a la playa y la piscina en las vacaciones.
No está mal, tampoco es una maravilla, pero esta bien para pasar el rato. Son muchas historias cortas alrededor de un tren de Dublin, la mayoría eran curiosas y relacionadas con el trabajo, el amor, la maternidad, pérdidas...
El libro es de 2003 creo y es verdad que en un par de historia tratan temas que me chirrían un poco ahora, como la manera de autodescribirse que tenían las mujeres (como feas o gordas) y como se trataba también a las lesbianas. Pero bueno, el resto de historias estaban bien
Tenía el libro en físico y me lo he ido llevando a la playa y la piscina en las vacaciones.
No está mal, tampoco es una maravilla, pero esta bien para pasar el rato. Son muchas historias cortas alrededor de un tren de Dublin, la mayoría eran curiosas y relacionadas con el trabajo, el amor, la maternidad, pérdidas...
El libro es de 2003 creo y es verdad que en un par de historia tratan temas que me chirrían un poco ahora, como la manera de autodescribirse que tenían las mujeres (como feas o gordas) y como se trataba también a las lesbianas. Pero bueno, el resto de historias estaban bien
July 8, 2022
3 short stories; Sandra Bullock style rom com. Liked the positive endings despite challenges.
October 29, 2024
Felt like this was a pointless read...
October 25, 2010
This is the first book that I read from the author. The short story compilation were interesting. The first story with regards to Greg and Helena struck me hard, because my emotions were topsy turvy as what Helena went through. Emotionally battered, betrayed.
There are few light heartening stories, being a dreamer, I've always like stories where they finally met their true love. Even though, it may not ends well. What captured me most is how the author was able to portray emotions of her characters. From feeling betrayed (Helena), to someone asking forgiveness (Greg), to someone who was physically battered, to someone who's in love and to someone who dreams of having a fling.
The drawbacks that I could think of is this, some of the stories, especially with regards to physically abused wife offers no solution. Or the SAHM who wanted to have an affair (she may propagate like it's acceptable having a fling/extra marital affair)
This is not a book worth reading over and over again.
There are few light heartening stories, being a dreamer, I've always like stories where they finally met their true love. Even though, it may not ends well. What captured me most is how the author was able to portray emotions of her characters. From feeling betrayed (Helena), to someone asking forgiveness (Greg), to someone who was physically battered, to someone who's in love and to someone who dreams of having a fling.
The drawbacks that I could think of is this, some of the stories, especially with regards to physically abused wife offers no solution. Or the SAHM who wanted to have an affair (she may propagate like it's acceptable having a fling/extra marital affair)
This is not a book worth reading over and over again.
August 2, 2015
This is the first book I read from Blind Date with Books trio.
Actually, I don't really like romance. I always carefully choose the book from this category and I usually go for popular titles or those by popular authors (like Ian McEwan). When I unwrapped the bundle and saw this book with the images of a poorly-drawn heart and calendar showing February 14, I got nervous (yes, I have the habit of judging books by their covers). But I took the plunge anyway.
The stories are quite engaging. They are simple. Predictable, yes, but simple and I like that. Nothing extraordinary but it's easy to get immersed in the stories and empathize with the characters. There are stories that feel similar, but it didn't stop me from reading them anyway.
Destinations consists of stories okay for you to miss but interesting and, most importantly, light enough to read on a whim or when you need some material to get through a sleepless night.
Actually, I don't really like romance. I always carefully choose the book from this category and I usually go for popular titles or those by popular authors (like Ian McEwan). When I unwrapped the bundle and saw this book with the images of a poorly-drawn heart and calendar showing February 14, I got nervous (yes, I have the habit of judging books by their covers). But I took the plunge anyway.
The stories are quite engaging. They are simple. Predictable, yes, but simple and I like that. Nothing extraordinary but it's easy to get immersed in the stories and empathize with the characters. There are stories that feel similar, but it didn't stop me from reading them anyway.
Destinations consists of stories okay for you to miss but interesting and, most importantly, light enough to read on a whim or when you need some material to get through a sleepless night.
July 2, 2008
It's about a very ordinary girl, Jane, who works in banking and marries a dealer. Jane thinks that her life will be complete when she gets married but she finds that things don't always turn out the way she hoped. Which I think is something that happens to all of us. Like the Chinese proverb 'be careful what you wish for' sometimes the thing we want the most is the thing that breaks our hearts!
Each chapter heading is the title of a song which was in the top 40 at the time. The song titles reflect (in a very general way) the theme of the chapter.
" It was horrible, with so many characters and too many tales, it was hard to keep up, and it bored me to death. Unfortunately one of the worst I've read from Sheila O'Flanagan. "
Each chapter heading is the title of a song which was in the top 40 at the time. The song titles reflect (in a very general way) the theme of the chapter.
" It was horrible, with so many characters and too many tales, it was hard to keep up, and it bored me to death. Unfortunately one of the worst I've read from Sheila O'Flanagan. "
February 10, 2011
I'm not a short story person generally and even though I enjoyed this one a bit better than most (probably because it's set in Dublin, one of my favourite places), it's still not one of her best books.
I like to get totally immersed in the characters and felt that just as I was starting to understand them, the story ended.
I liked it enough but am now itching to read a "classic" Sheila O'Flanagan.
I like to get totally immersed in the characters and felt that just as I was starting to understand them, the story ended.
I liked it enough but am now itching to read a "classic" Sheila O'Flanagan.
December 10, 2017
I'm not generally a fan of short stories but thought I'd read the odd one or two while I decided what to read next - but before I knew it I'd finished the book! The tales are loosely (very loosely!) linked by the stations on Dublin's Dart system. There's a good mix of romance, humour....& sadness, & some of the stories are linked & seen from different perspectives which works well.
June 28, 2009
A collection of short stories about different ppl living in Dublin either close to the Dart (a rail line there) or use it every day. But in fact the stories have very little to do with the train itself, it just serves as a 'connecting line'.
An ok chick-lit read.
An ok chick-lit read.
January 13, 2010
Not one her her great books Im afraid to say, I didnt like the fact that each chapter was one short different story with different people in it, just as you got into the story it was finished and then onto the next story, not one of her best!
November 30, 2012
i read this when my kindle was playing up, and I am really glad I did, I am new to Ms O'flanagan books only reading connections before and I will definitely read more of her books, just fabulous. i loved how each chapter was on somebody new. it was great.
May 30, 2016
A series of short stories, a few of them interlinked, and each with a connection to Dublin's DART transport system. Each story was long enough to feel you had read something worthwhile, and only one or two were disappointing.
June 15, 2009
Light reading......... Parts of it unusual.
August 4, 2011
Nice collection of short stories. Some are better than the others.
June 16, 2013
very good read
August 7, 2013
So disappointing compared to others. Waste of time reading it. Put me off reading others.
Want to Read
September 3, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13554819
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13554819
April 2, 2016
Great short stories, loved the characters, easy to relate to, funny & a fun read.
May 21, 2016
I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read. Only thing I didn't enjoy was wanting to delve a bit deeper into some of the characters journeys
September 5, 2017
Enjoyed all the short stories in this book, made a nice change. A quick and easy read
September 24, 2018
Read the first story and decided to put it down, not a fan of short stories
November 13, 2018
This is about ordinary commuters and their hidden secrets
December 31, 2019
This is another book that has been hanging around in my house for a while just waiting to be read.
This proved a light-touch, end of year book for me to read. It is a mixture of short stories (not my favourite genre at all) and is a little chick-litty (again, just not my favourite genre at all).
O'Flanagan centres each story around a particular area of Dublin that is easily accessible to the DART train network. Each story does develop its own theme but there are overlaps and it seems that the author likes to explore identity (particularly modern young female identity), family and relationships. Whilst I really don't like books that are deliberately and overtly chick-lit, I'm happy to say that O'Flanagan offers more than some writers who are loosely connected to this genre. Behind the very easy to read chapters, I think the author is quite clever as she micro-analyses the nature of her characters and there is always a little more to them than meets the eye with an often unexpected twist in the tail.
At the end of the day, any work of fiction will succeed if characters can be examined and if they are believable. O'Flanagan's male and female characters live with their faults and in everyday worlds that are faced with everyday dilemmas and conflicts - just like we all do. Cleverly, by the end of each small short story the reader learns much about each protagonist and I found it quite fun to guess more about each character and their life as each story unfolded.
I'm unlikely to reach for another O'Flanagan book in the very immediate future but I wasn't totally disappointed with this and I enjoyed the Dublin-centric locations and female themes to some extent. Generally, this book was ok as a filler read - it would probably be ok for a beach, plane or travel read too - that kind of thing.
This proved a light-touch, end of year book for me to read. It is a mixture of short stories (not my favourite genre at all) and is a little chick-litty (again, just not my favourite genre at all).
O'Flanagan centres each story around a particular area of Dublin that is easily accessible to the DART train network. Each story does develop its own theme but there are overlaps and it seems that the author likes to explore identity (particularly modern young female identity), family and relationships. Whilst I really don't like books that are deliberately and overtly chick-lit, I'm happy to say that O'Flanagan offers more than some writers who are loosely connected to this genre. Behind the very easy to read chapters, I think the author is quite clever as she micro-analyses the nature of her characters and there is always a little more to them than meets the eye with an often unexpected twist in the tail.
At the end of the day, any work of fiction will succeed if characters can be examined and if they are believable. O'Flanagan's male and female characters live with their faults and in everyday worlds that are faced with everyday dilemmas and conflicts - just like we all do. Cleverly, by the end of each small short story the reader learns much about each protagonist and I found it quite fun to guess more about each character and their life as each story unfolded.
I'm unlikely to reach for another O'Flanagan book in the very immediate future but I wasn't totally disappointed with this and I enjoyed the Dublin-centric locations and female themes to some extent. Generally, this book was ok as a filler read - it would probably be ok for a beach, plane or travel read too - that kind of thing.
June 22, 2023
I picked this book up without realising it was a collection of short stories, however I loved it and it has made me want to read more short story books.
All Based around the Dart system in Ireland, the stories illustrate different peoples lives and the Dart System is involved in each story.
The stories aren't elaborate or exciting but just boring everyday stories about life, but the stories are written and evolve beautifully and some also interwined with different stories in the book.
Definitely a easy book to pick up and read a few stories and come back to, or read cover to cover.
I loved it.
All Based around the Dart system in Ireland, the stories illustrate different peoples lives and the Dart System is involved in each story.
The stories aren't elaborate or exciting but just boring everyday stories about life, but the stories are written and evolve beautifully and some also interwined with different stories in the book.
Definitely a easy book to pick up and read a few stories and come back to, or read cover to cover.
I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews