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The Lilac Bus
The Journey -- Every Friday night young Ron Fitzgerald's lilac-colored minibus leaves Dublin for the Irish country town of Rathdoon with seven weekend commuters on board. All of them, from the joking bank porter, Mikey Burns, who plays the buffoon while his brother makes a fortune in the family business, to the rich doctor's daughter, Dee Burke, who is having a secret affair with a married man, have their reasons for making the journey. The Destination, Rathdoon, is the kind of Irish Village where family histories are shared and scandals don't stay secret for long. And this weekend, when Tom's bus pulls in, the riders find the unexpected waiting for them... as each of their very private lives unfolds to reveal a sharp betrayal of the heart, a young man's crime, and chance for new dreams among the eight intriguing men and women on... The Lilac Bus.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
252 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1984
931 people are currently reading
3168 people want to read
About the author
Maeve Binchy
258 books5,009 followersAnne 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
April 19, 2020
في مساء كل يوم جمعة يتلاقى 8 أشخاص في حافلة للعودة لبلدتهم بعد أسبوع عمل في المدينة
كلهم من بلدة صغيرة, لكنهم مختلفين في أعمالهم ومعيشتهم وتفكيرهم
كل واحد منهم له حكاية وأسرار تحكيها الكاتبة بأسلوب بسيط وجميل
رواية لطيفة عن الناس وطرق حياتهم المتقاطعة
كلهم من بلدة صغيرة, لكنهم مختلفين في أعمالهم ومعيشتهم وتفكيرهم
كل واحد منهم له حكاية وأسرار تحكيها الكاتبة بأسلوب بسيط وجميل
رواية لطيفة عن الناس وطرق حياتهم المتقاطعة
November 3, 2012
Big problem with this "novel" is it's NOT a novel. It's a novella and several totally unrelated short stories, and nowhere does the book let you know that's what's going on. So you read The Lilac Bus and there are interesting characters. Then you start reading stories about other interesting characters and you keep wondering how the hell they all relate, until finally you go online and discover they don't relate. At all...And none of the stories have endings. They just stop. Geez. I could do that. I can write about interesting characters in interesting situations, if I can just quit at some point, with no resolution. It's not that the stories have BAD endings. They have NO endings.
January 1, 2009
I think Maeve Binchy wrote this on one crazy acid trip! She's writing this story and I'm getting really into the characters and story, then zip they're gone. SO she starts another story and I keep thinking that at some point they will tie in together. Nope! Another story starts then another. She should have titled this "a collection of short stories without real endings!"
June 27, 2022
Re-read June 27, 2022: I haven't been doing too much but laying in bed and forcing myself to eat food with no taste for about a week now. I got to this one last night and finished it up today though. I also finished a horror book I really enjoyed, so that's three books down after what felt like an endless year. "The Lilac Bus" is always great to re-read. You in essence get a lot of short stories tied around 8 people in the first half, and then 4 stories taking place in Dublin at the tail end. For the first half of the book I really think Celia and Tom were the best. Once again though, without meaning to, one of these stories does center around abortion. I have to give Binchy hats off for that though. She talks about it frankly I think through most of her books and doesn't shy away from it. I wonder how that was viewed in Ireland at the time?
I have owned this book forever and per usual I always like to re-read Maeve Binchy books. "Lilac Bus" is set during the 1970s/1980s and follows a group of people who lie in Dublin, but take a lilac bus back to Rathdoon in West Ireland. Each chapter focuses on a different character and sometimes things are told from their perspective about an event you read about earlier or via a different character. I just really enjoy this one. But the book then takes a turn for the weird when Binchy includes other stories, but not connected to the lilac bus riders. Yes it was a bit confusing, but I went with it.
Nancy (5 stars)-Woot. This was a good one to start with. We follow Nancy in this one, a young woman who doesn't see herself clearly at all. You don't get it at first, but as you read along you see why Nancy is a bit hard to take. When the rose colored glasses fall from her eyes, you get a chance to see if Nancy is going to be able to change.
Dee (5 stars)-A young girl who realizes that the romance she has had with someone has come to an end. It's a sad story somewhat, because Dee it seems finally grows up and sees her parents not just as these terrible figureheads. But as people who have wants and wishes too.
Mikey (4.5 stars)-A weird story. I liked Mikey and the fact that he in essence grows up (though he's not a young man at all). He and a few other men in this story I think are written as "bachelors" and I think that was Binchy soft-pedaling them as being gay. But then she writes one character as being gay so I dunno what to think about Mikey though in retrospect. Mikey having to drop his clown act due to the tailspin his brother left his family though was an interesting read.
Judy (4 stars)-A sad story about a woman who fell into the 60s and was left alone and considered a bad influence. The ending leaves things up in the air, but I don't think she's going to end up with a happy ending.
Kev (3.5 stars)-This was a bit muddled from all of the stories. Kev falls in with some tough guys and it takes one of his brothers helping him out of the mess.
Rupert (4.5 stars)-I felt for Rupert. He has fallen in love with someone, but he knows that telling his parents the truth about him and the man he loves will devastate them. Or will it?
Celia (5 stars)-Celia has to come home from Dublin to deal with her mother and the family pub. I liked the reveal about what was going on in the Ryan home and how Celia finally pushed things in order for not just her mother, but others to see the truth about what was going on.
Tom (5 stars)-Tom is the driver of the Lilac Bus and I thought his story was a sad one, but ends on a hopeful note. No spoilers.
Then we go into the "Dublin Four" portion of the book.
"Dinner in Donnybrook" (5 stars)-A woman throws a dinner party with a hidden meaning. I loved the twists and turns this story takes and I do love the one man telling the lead character (Carmel) that when she was younger she was more brave about things. And I think the character was, but I get why she did what she did.
"Flat in Ringsend" (5 stars)-A young woman moves into a flat with two other women and hilarity ensues. This one did make me laugh. I think since this was written for the 70s/80s I can understand why the main character got worried about living with two people she didn't know. Her mind jumps to big conclusions when her flatmates don't return home.
"Decision in Belfield" (5 stars)-A young girl named Pat tries to work out her family and older sister's history and secrets. And realizes how everything can become muddled and a mess when she finds herself in a situation that she thinks her sister has been in before.
"Murmurs in Montrose" (5 stars)-What a great story to end on. I often wonder how it ends. But you can guess I think. The family of Gerry Moore wakes up and they all have different thoughts flickering through their heads as he returns home.
I have owned this book forever and per usual I always like to re-read Maeve Binchy books. "Lilac Bus" is set during the 1970s/1980s and follows a group of people who lie in Dublin, but take a lilac bus back to Rathdoon in West Ireland. Each chapter focuses on a different character and sometimes things are told from their perspective about an event you read about earlier or via a different character. I just really enjoy this one. But the book then takes a turn for the weird when Binchy includes other stories, but not connected to the lilac bus riders. Yes it was a bit confusing, but I went with it.
Nancy (5 stars)-Woot. This was a good one to start with. We follow Nancy in this one, a young woman who doesn't see herself clearly at all. You don't get it at first, but as you read along you see why Nancy is a bit hard to take. When the rose colored glasses fall from her eyes, you get a chance to see if Nancy is going to be able to change.
Dee (5 stars)-A young girl who realizes that the romance she has had with someone has come to an end. It's a sad story somewhat, because Dee it seems finally grows up and sees her parents not just as these terrible figureheads. But as people who have wants and wishes too.
Mikey (4.5 stars)-A weird story. I liked Mikey and the fact that he in essence grows up (though he's not a young man at all). He and a few other men in this story I think are written as "bachelors" and I think that was Binchy soft-pedaling them as being gay. But then she writes one character as being gay so I dunno what to think about Mikey though in retrospect. Mikey having to drop his clown act due to the tailspin his brother left his family though was an interesting read.
Judy (4 stars)-A sad story about a woman who fell into the 60s and was left alone and considered a bad influence. The ending leaves things up in the air, but I don't think she's going to end up with a happy ending.
Kev (3.5 stars)-This was a bit muddled from all of the stories. Kev falls in with some tough guys and it takes one of his brothers helping him out of the mess.
Rupert (4.5 stars)-I felt for Rupert. He has fallen in love with someone, but he knows that telling his parents the truth about him and the man he loves will devastate them. Or will it?
Celia (5 stars)-Celia has to come home from Dublin to deal with her mother and the family pub. I liked the reveal about what was going on in the Ryan home and how Celia finally pushed things in order for not just her mother, but others to see the truth about what was going on.
Tom (5 stars)-Tom is the driver of the Lilac Bus and I thought his story was a sad one, but ends on a hopeful note. No spoilers.
Then we go into the "Dublin Four" portion of the book.
"Dinner in Donnybrook" (5 stars)-A woman throws a dinner party with a hidden meaning. I loved the twists and turns this story takes and I do love the one man telling the lead character (Carmel) that when she was younger she was more brave about things. And I think the character was, but I get why she did what she did.
"Flat in Ringsend" (5 stars)-A young woman moves into a flat with two other women and hilarity ensues. This one did make me laugh. I think since this was written for the 70s/80s I can understand why the main character got worried about living with two people she didn't know. Her mind jumps to big conclusions when her flatmates don't return home.
"Decision in Belfield" (5 stars)-A young girl named Pat tries to work out her family and older sister's history and secrets. And realizes how everything can become muddled and a mess when she finds herself in a situation that she thinks her sister has been in before.
"Murmurs in Montrose" (5 stars)-What a great story to end on. I often wonder how it ends. But you can guess I think. The family of Gerry Moore wakes up and they all have different thoughts flickering through their heads as he returns home.
June 9, 2025
Ever since I began reading Maeve's Times a few years back, I have been a fan of hers. I must confess that I haven't read Maeve's Times completely as I love savouring her short stories once in a while, especially during stressful times.
I happened to pick up and finish Lilac bus some days back. Lilac bus is a collection of short stories about a few regular bus passengers from Dublin to Rathdoon.
Some of the characters are fun, intriguing and evocative. Nancy is inimitable, innocent, and naive. Her punctuality, curiosity, and friendliness makes her very likeable. I loved most of her story, except some portions in the middle. Without spoiling the story, I'd say that the ending was unexpected and fun to read.
If you are looking for a quick and light-hearted read, pick this one--although, there isn't a plot as such for most of the stories. I'd give it a 3.5⭐/5.
More in my Blog: https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/...
I happened to pick up and finish Lilac bus some days back. Lilac bus is a collection of short stories about a few regular bus passengers from Dublin to Rathdoon.
Some of the characters are fun, intriguing and evocative. Nancy is inimitable, innocent, and naive. Her punctuality, curiosity, and friendliness makes her very likeable. I loved most of her story, except some portions in the middle. Without spoiling the story, I'd say that the ending was unexpected and fun to read.
If you are looking for a quick and light-hearted read, pick this one--although, there isn't a plot as such for most of the stories. I'd give it a 3.5⭐/5.
More in my Blog: https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/...
December 2, 2022
5 stars
Maeve Binchy had such a gift for immersing you in the lives of her characters that it is hard to put any of her books down. The Lilac Bus tells the stories of eight different characters, each chapter dealing with one of them, but all of the stories are intertwined. I loved the short story format that allowed you to put the book down at the end of the chapter, but also linked the lives of each character to the others.
Every Friday night at 6:45 sharp, the Lilac Bus, driven by Tom Fitzgerald, leaves Dublin for a small town in the west of Ireland with seven passengers. On their three hour journey back to Rathdoon, we enter the thoughts and lives of each character. Nancy, Dee, Mikey, Judy, Kev, Rupert, Celia and Tom are all weekend commuters, living and working in Dublin during the week and going home to their small village on the weekends.
In the short chapters lives and dreams are revealed during the bus ride and once home in Rathdoon. Each chapter gives us a slice of life, a glimpse at a problem or flaw that each character might be dealing with. It is amazing to me what detail and heart Maeve Binchy could create in these short chapters as we entered her characters' lives. What a gift she had for telling a good story and there are eight good stories in this book.
The Lilac Bus was first published in Ireland in 1984 and my pocket sized paperback was reprinted in 1992. One of the bonuses of this book was that it used Irish terms, like "eejit," "rashers" and "divil," instead of translating everything into American English. I found many other turns of phrase that made me feel like I was holding a bit of Ireland in my hands as I read it.
If you are in need a good story, a kind story, a story with heart and a little intrigue, you won't go wrong with The Lilac Bus. Maeve Binchy was a master storyteller and this is one of her best.
Maeve Binchy had such a gift for immersing you in the lives of her characters that it is hard to put any of her books down. The Lilac Bus tells the stories of eight different characters, each chapter dealing with one of them, but all of the stories are intertwined. I loved the short story format that allowed you to put the book down at the end of the chapter, but also linked the lives of each character to the others.
Every Friday night at 6:45 sharp, the Lilac Bus, driven by Tom Fitzgerald, leaves Dublin for a small town in the west of Ireland with seven passengers. On their three hour journey back to Rathdoon, we enter the thoughts and lives of each character. Nancy, Dee, Mikey, Judy, Kev, Rupert, Celia and Tom are all weekend commuters, living and working in Dublin during the week and going home to their small village on the weekends.
In the short chapters lives and dreams are revealed during the bus ride and once home in Rathdoon. Each chapter gives us a slice of life, a glimpse at a problem or flaw that each character might be dealing with. It is amazing to me what detail and heart Maeve Binchy could create in these short chapters as we entered her characters' lives. What a gift she had for telling a good story and there are eight good stories in this book.
The Lilac Bus was first published in Ireland in 1984 and my pocket sized paperback was reprinted in 1992. One of the bonuses of this book was that it used Irish terms, like "eejit," "rashers" and "divil," instead of translating everything into American English. I found many other turns of phrase that made me feel like I was holding a bit of Ireland in my hands as I read it.
If you are in need a good story, a kind story, a story with heart and a little intrigue, you won't go wrong with The Lilac Bus. Maeve Binchy was a master storyteller and this is one of her best.
June 29, 2012
Some of the stories were 3-star, and some of them were better, 5 star. Overall I felt this was a 3 star novel. I didn't like how many of the stories seemed unresolved at the end, and especially the one about the wife who had invited everyone, including her husband's mistress, to a dinner party, I felt was too suspenseful, with no pay-off at the end, a big leading up to nothing, just a cliff hanger left unresolved. That story really sticks out in my mind as being the worst, manipulating the reader's emotions and then never reaching a high note or a low note, just coasting along in the middle, until it finally just ended. Terrible.
I enjoyed some of Lilac Bus stories, and did not like others. I did not enjoy how the novel opened with an illustration of a penny-pincher who nobody seemed to like. It was difficult to relate to this character or her family, and I couldn't understand what the point was, knowing about her life. There were some nice stories near the end, especially about the girl Cathy who finds herself pregnant, like her sister had thought a few years before, and what you'd do with an unwanted pregnancy in a family like hers. Another nice story was the one about the girl named Jo, living in a flat on her own for the first time in Dublin. But overall I felt the consistency of the writing was not there, and I felt disappointed at how at least half of the stories ended. Very dissatisfying.
I enjoyed some of Lilac Bus stories, and did not like others. I did not enjoy how the novel opened with an illustration of a penny-pincher who nobody seemed to like. It was difficult to relate to this character or her family, and I couldn't understand what the point was, knowing about her life. There were some nice stories near the end, especially about the girl Cathy who finds herself pregnant, like her sister had thought a few years before, and what you'd do with an unwanted pregnancy in a family like hers. Another nice story was the one about the girl named Jo, living in a flat on her own for the first time in Dublin. But overall I felt the consistency of the writing was not there, and I felt disappointed at how at least half of the stories ended. Very dissatisfying.
April 14, 2016
I really liked Maeve Binchy's ability to weave together the stories of so many different characters without leaving you confused, only wanting more. That is how I felt reading this book.
I always felt sad to leave each of her characters behind. I enjoyed vicariously traveling on the Lilac Bus back and forth across Ireland and getting to look inside the lives of each of the eight passengers. Maeve Binchy's insights into human nature and beautiful writing made me feel like I know these people and I really cared about them. The story is neatly crafted, but it does not wrap every thing up in a nice tidy package at the end. Some have criticized it for this, but I like it because that never really happens in real life.
I like the formatting of looking at one event from many character's perspectives, Binchy did that with Silver Wedding and I really like it.
My only criticism would be that the publisher's did not make it clear that Dublin 4 is a separate volume of short stories and not part of The Lilac Bus. Many others have pointed this out and if I had not known that already, I would have been very confused.
I always felt sad to leave each of her characters behind. I enjoyed vicariously traveling on the Lilac Bus back and forth across Ireland and getting to look inside the lives of each of the eight passengers. Maeve Binchy's insights into human nature and beautiful writing made me feel like I know these people and I really cared about them. The story is neatly crafted, but it does not wrap every thing up in a nice tidy package at the end. Some have criticized it for this, but I like it because that never really happens in real life.
I like the formatting of looking at one event from many character's perspectives, Binchy did that with Silver Wedding and I really like it.
My only criticism would be that the publisher's did not make it clear that Dublin 4 is a separate volume of short stories and not part of The Lilac Bus. Many others have pointed this out and if I had not known that already, I would have been very confused.
June 28, 2015
Before I say ANYTHING, I want to say how much I love this author. I have enjoyed all the books I've read by her and I think I've rated them very high.
So, when I chose this book. I figured it was going to be like any other Binchy. Even after reading 1/2 the book, I was enjoying it. I was wondering when she was going to tie in all the characters from the first part to the ones in the 2nd part.
I was about finished reading about Carmel and her dinner party when I decided to go read some reviews. I was confused because none of the characters on the Lilac Bus were appearing in this part of the story. Talk about disappointment! I don't understand what Maeve was thinking. She is a great story teller, but this was not up to Binchy par. The first part of the book was good. Every chapter was told from the point of view of a different passenger on the lilac bus. The second part was like, forget about the lilac bus, we would like to introduce you to some other folks who live in Dublin and talk about their drama. There was no rhyme or reason to this. I don't think I've read a more confusing book.
If you are a first time reader of Maeve Binchy, I beg of you, do not start with this one. As a matter of fact, don't ever read this one. This should have never been published as a novel. It should be well known as a bunch of short stories....with holes.
So, when I chose this book. I figured it was going to be like any other Binchy. Even after reading 1/2 the book, I was enjoying it. I was wondering when she was going to tie in all the characters from the first part to the ones in the 2nd part.
I was about finished reading about Carmel and her dinner party when I decided to go read some reviews. I was confused because none of the characters on the Lilac Bus were appearing in this part of the story. Talk about disappointment! I don't understand what Maeve was thinking. She is a great story teller, but this was not up to Binchy par. The first part of the book was good. Every chapter was told from the point of view of a different passenger on the lilac bus. The second part was like, forget about the lilac bus, we would like to introduce you to some other folks who live in Dublin and talk about their drama. There was no rhyme or reason to this. I don't think I've read a more confusing book.
If you are a first time reader of Maeve Binchy, I beg of you, do not start with this one. As a matter of fact, don't ever read this one. This should have never been published as a novel. It should be well known as a bunch of short stories....with holes.
March 6, 2018
Too many unfinished stories
I really wanted to like this book, which started to tell the separate stories of the people that rode the lilac bus. However, it added completely separate stories about people who had nothing to do with the bus riders or their lives. Each story was only half finished. Very disappointing.
I really wanted to like this book, which started to tell the separate stories of the people that rode the lilac bus. However, it added completely separate stories about people who had nothing to do with the bus riders or their lives. Each story was only half finished. Very disappointing.
August 31, 2023
I think my mood just didn’t work for this one. It’s a collection of interconnected short stories. I liked the earlier ones but then they started fading off for me. Then the library reminded me that I’ve held this book too long and since I was so close to finishing…..I decided to return it.
Really loved this author’s book The Glass Lake, which is a long and wonderful family drama. The audio was also well done. I do want to circle back and read more Binchy eventually too.
Really loved this author’s book The Glass Lake, which is a long and wonderful family drama. The audio was also well done. I do want to circle back and read more Binchy eventually too.
January 11, 2022
The Lilac Bus
short stories are the epitome of Maeve Binchy. Each story builds on the previous one, widening the perspective, expanding the community, and weaving these characters together. I would be hard-pressed to pick a favourite character or story because to take one from the collection would ruin the experience. I felt instantly welcomed into this world full of small-town gossip and ideals.
Unfortunately, since the early '90s, The Lilac Bus has been published alongside the Dublin 4 , and these four stories don't even feel like Binchy wrote them. Overdramatic and convoluted, these strange plot choices and cliffhangers are entirely unnecessary. Tacking these four stories on the end of this collection felt like an afterthought, and it ruined the entire experience for me.
Read The Lilac Bus , ignore Dublin 4 , and any Binchy fan will love this book.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Unfortunately, since the early '90s, The Lilac Bus has been published alongside the Dublin 4 , and these four stories don't even feel like Binchy wrote them. Overdramatic and convoluted, these strange plot choices and cliffhangers are entirely unnecessary. Tacking these four stories on the end of this collection felt like an afterthought, and it ruined the entire experience for me.
Read The Lilac Bus , ignore Dublin 4 , and any Binchy fan will love this book.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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June 24, 2019
I loved this book! My friend Linda told me that it was one of her favorites by Binchy so I made sure to read it. It is told from the point of view of several people who ride a bus home from Dublin to the country every weekend. We learn about each person's inner life during a particular weekend. I love "moment in time" stories like this when you are invited into a character's life at a particular moment and learn their story and then you meet the next character and the next and learn about them and at the same time, you learn every one's impressions of every one else and then it's over and you hope that everyone's life goes smoothly after you leave them.
October 5, 2021
I remember this only very scantly. Old fashioned communication, no phones, just people and public transport and relationships. One day I will re read these oldy but goodies. One of my favourite authors, of course!
March 25, 2020
Review to follow
August 11, 2025
yıllar önce okuduğum eserlerini tekrar okuyorum bu sıralar bana iyi geliyor açıkçası.
okumuştum amma tekrar okuyunca hiç bir şey hatırlamadığım için acaba okumadim mı diye düşünüyorum. Oldukça güzel kısa bir roman Dublin´e yakın bir kasaba gençlerinin her birinin hikayesinde hem acıklı hem komik olan serüvenleri oldukça ilginç ve çarpıcı bir anlatımla harika olmuş severek zevkle okumamak mümkün değil.
okumuştum amma tekrar okuyunca hiç bir şey hatırlamadığım için acaba okumadim mı diye düşünüyorum. Oldukça güzel kısa bir roman Dublin´e yakın bir kasaba gençlerinin her birinin hikayesinde hem acıklı hem komik olan serüvenleri oldukça ilginç ve çarpıcı bir anlatımla harika olmuş severek zevkle okumamak mümkün değil.
November 4, 2025
4.5/5
A bunch of short stories told in 2 parts? Sign me up. The 1st part focuses on the 7 passengers and driver of The Lilac Bus. Every weekend they make the trip from Dublin back to their small hometown of Rathdoon, and while they all think they know each other each holds their own secret. The 2nd part focuses on 4 different people in Dublin: Carmel, who invites her husband's mistress to their home for dinner; Jo, an 18 year old woman who just moved to Dublin from Limerick; Pat, who is pregnant and deciding what she should do; Gerry, who is trying to reset his life after leaving rehab.
Maeve had a knack for ambiguous endings and I found it endearing as you could make up your own idea of what happened to each character you met.
A bunch of short stories told in 2 parts? Sign me up. The 1st part focuses on the 7 passengers and driver of The Lilac Bus. Every weekend they make the trip from Dublin back to their small hometown of Rathdoon, and while they all think they know each other each holds their own secret. The 2nd part focuses on 4 different people in Dublin: Carmel, who invites her husband's mistress to their home for dinner; Jo, an 18 year old woman who just moved to Dublin from Limerick; Pat, who is pregnant and deciding what she should do; Gerry, who is trying to reset his life after leaving rehab.
Maeve had a knack for ambiguous endings and I found it endearing as you could make up your own idea of what happened to each character you met.
March 22, 2021
This is a lovely little audiobook, only a little under 3 hours of easy listening about a group of characters lives as they go back to their little home town each weekend, mainly to visit and help out family. Some families are aging others are trying to run small businesses one-handed, like the local pub. A more delightful set of characters would be hard to find. Beautifully narrated by Maeve's sister Kate in a light Irish lilt.
It's the first time I've listed to one of Maeve Binchy's books and I've not read one, but been meaning to for a while. Her audiobooks seem like the way to go for me.
Another little nod to the Irish for St Pat's day.
It's the first time I've listed to one of Maeve Binchy's books and I've not read one, but been meaning to for a while. Her audiobooks seem like the way to go for me.
Another little nod to the Irish for St Pat's day.
March 8, 2015
The lilac bus reminded me, of which I had forgotten, how wonderful and light Maeve Binchy's stories are. I loved that again, like in her other books, the characters were all connected somehow, and even in each of the short stories about the characters they all speak of the same events happening through different eyes.
I couldn't pick a favourite character as I related so much to their stories and their look on life, the two stories I liked the best were Judy and Kev's just because they were funny to read and so unpredictable.
I'm giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I really didn't like Nancy Morris but I think she was written to be hated by the reader.
The story flows very well from each characters small narration, I wish it hadn't ended and I could of stayed in Rathdoon a little bit longer
I couldn't pick a favourite character as I related so much to their stories and their look on life, the two stories I liked the best were Judy and Kev's just because they were funny to read and so unpredictable.
I'm giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I really didn't like Nancy Morris but I think she was written to be hated by the reader.
The story flows very well from each characters small narration, I wish it hadn't ended and I could of stayed in Rathdoon a little bit longer
February 4, 2025
UPDATE:
Just reread Lilac Bus. I love the way how Maeve brings all these characters together. They all have their own problems, concerns and issues and they feel that everyone must be judging the. When often, everyone doesn't notice as they are so wrapped up in their own lives. And yet they all seem to help and support each other.
Just such wonderful characters. I felt like I was on the Lilac Bus observing everyone.
A book of short stories - excellent to keep in your pocket to read whenever!
Just reread Lilac Bus. I love the way how Maeve brings all these characters together. They all have their own problems, concerns and issues and they feel that everyone must be judging the. When often, everyone doesn't notice as they are so wrapped up in their own lives. And yet they all seem to help and support each other.
Just such wonderful characters. I felt like I was on the Lilac Bus observing everyone.
A book of short stories - excellent to keep in your pocket to read whenever!
February 23, 2018
Don’t bother
April 24, 2020
Interesantna knjiga koja povezuje osam likova koji se svaki vikend voze ljubičastim autobusom iz Dablina, gde nedeljom žive i rade, u rodni kraj. Svako je poglavlje priča o jednom putniku i njegovom životnom problemu, ali je sve povezano, pa tako jedan je događaj ispričan iz perspektive svakog od njih. Interesantno i stvarno lepo napisano, uživala sam.
March 18, 2018
I finished this book feeling really confused and irritated. What the description of this “book” fails to do, is indicate that it’s not really a book - it’s multiple short stories, none of which have endings. So frustrating. The 3 or 4 Maeve Binchy books I’ve read before have multiple characters and as you get further along, you realize everyone is connected, and everything is clear by the end. I figured this would be the same. But nope. It’s just multiple short stories, nothing is tied together and there’s no endings which left me wondering what was the point of reading this. I particularly wanted to know what happened to that woman who was having a dinner party and had invited the woman her husband was cheating with. I liked the character at the end who had just moved to Dublin and was living on her own for the first time. Actually, I liked several of the characters - I just don’t get why the stories ended at their peaks? UGH.
October 10, 2019
"It didn't really matter, his father's mind was fixed: that boy was a waster, a left-wing long-haired layabout. A purple minibus was only what you'd expect.
It wasn't what Tom expected. He just decided one day when the washing didn't seem to be making the van look any better. And he loved it now that it was lilac-colored: it had much more personality. That was when he decided to go into the transport business. It wasn't exactly legal, of course, but suppose they did have an accident: an insurance company would have a hard time proving that he wasn't driving seven friends home for the weekend. No money was ever seen to change hands in Dublin. It wasn't a moneyspinner or anything; he paid for his petrol and cigarettes out of it, that was all. But it did mean he could come home every weekend to Rathdoon, which ws what he wanted to do. The Lilac Bus had made all this possible."
January 28, 2023
definition of people watching.
i love how this book doesn’t have a definite plot, but shows how all the characters have such different lives but all tied together?? it’s just good
i love how this book doesn’t have a definite plot, but shows how all the characters have such different lives but all tied together?? it’s just good
July 30, 2023
I super enjoyed this short little book. I had not read a Maeve Binchey in years but this reminded me just what a brilliant story teller of everyday people's lives she is and I think I might go back and read some of her other stuff. I remember loving Circle of Friends. I wonder if I would love it as much now?
But back to the Lilac Bus. Officially a collection of short stories but they are interwoven as all the people live in the little town of Rathdoon.
My favourite story may have been Rupert. Yay for some LQBTQ+ rep. It was beautifully done and felt exactly right for the time it was set in. However I enjoyed all the stories. They are brilliantly observed portraits of a individuals but also a small town.
I listened to the audio which I would happily give a 5-star for. Its read by Kate Binchey and her accent and different voices was absolutely perfect.
If you are looking for a short brilliantly narrated book then I can't recommend this one enough
But back to the Lilac Bus. Officially a collection of short stories but they are interwoven as all the people live in the little town of Rathdoon.
My favourite story may have been Rupert. Yay for some LQBTQ+ rep. It was beautifully done and felt exactly right for the time it was set in. However I enjoyed all the stories. They are brilliantly observed portraits of a individuals but also a small town.
I listened to the audio which I would happily give a 5-star for. Its read by Kate Binchey and her accent and different voices was absolutely perfect.
If you are looking for a short brilliantly narrated book then I can't recommend this one enough
April 11, 2024
I love Maeve Binchy’s writing style so much. She makes everyday situations and problems so poetic and beautiful.
You know when people say that reading helps you build empathy? I think Maeve Binchy’s writings are perfect for that - she has the ability to help you understand and really feel for all sorts of diverse characters, personalities and walks of life. It’s really quite incredible.
I also think her strongest point is writing in an interconnected short-story style where the whole book is comprised of short stories zooming in on each character but they’re all linked together throughout the whole book. Those are my favourite reads of hers.
You know when people say that reading helps you build empathy? I think Maeve Binchy’s writings are perfect for that - she has the ability to help you understand and really feel for all sorts of diverse characters, personalities and walks of life. It’s really quite incredible.
I also think her strongest point is writing in an interconnected short-story style where the whole book is comprised of short stories zooming in on each character but they’re all linked together throughout the whole book. Those are my favourite reads of hers.
August 17, 2025
Está bien pero sin más. Se podría decir que son historias cortas interconectadas. Plantea algunos temas interesantes aunque no profundiza demasiado. De todas formas, seguiré leyendo a la autor puesto que sé que ésta no es su mejor obra.
September 2, 2018
Not the cheeriest stories, but they had interesting characters.
March 11, 2023
Some stories/chapters are nice, but overall not impressed
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