Nights of Rain and Stars / Whitethorn Woods

by Maeve Binchy

Genres: Fiction, Romance

Paperback

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

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, light read but nothing spectacular. Four strangers from different parts of the world travel to a remote Greek island running away from their problems. They end up meeting and helping each other with their troubles along with the assistance of several local folk who seem to be more than happy to interfere. I loved the setting of the Greek island but overall the story was predictable and boring. I've enjoyed Ms. Binchy's books in the past but this one did not do it for me.

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written, character driven novel of four people from four different countries all running away from something in their own lives. Taking a trip, they all end up on a Greek island, where events cause them to re-examine their reasons for making the choices they have in their own lives. The book has a definite moral, that life is short and family is important. With the usual Binchy happy ending, it is a nice read for this time considering current events.

[Terry Bourbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Maeve Binchy's books. She has a gift for character development. She also has a wicked sense of how to intertwine the lives of her characters, and still surprise the reader. This book was a good one, but shorter than some of her books, so I felt the interrelations of the characters were a little more predictable than usual. Still a very enjoyable read, if a bit melancholy.

The book opens during a tragedy on a small Greek Island. The main characters all observe a boat fire from a hilltop café and find out later that the local man and a few other locals died along with a bunch of tourists, for a total of 24 fatalities. This isn't what the story is about. The story evolves from each of the five people that were in the café and stay into the evening, becoming tied to one another in a way that strangers never do, except in the face of tragedy. The people are from four different countries, and aside from being on holiday, they are each running from something. They find they want to connect with several of the locals, Andreas, the café owner, and as the weeks go by, others are introduced. There are commonalities that the tourists don't expect, and they connect with one another in a way that they could not with family, friends, and partners they left behind. It is a good book about family relationships. It is about what happens in life when things don't go as you expected. Thought provoking, and it will probably touch on something in your life. I recommend it !

[Mary Monks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a delightful story .... like all Maeve Binchy books I have ever read!
Four strangers met in a Greek taverna and are forced together as the result of a tragedy which occurs in the harbour town which they are visiting.
They all have escaped in some way from their lives outside this village.
Through their interactions some delightful incidents occur.
They all find solutions but they are not always the ones they thought they were looking for!
The relationships which are formed are often very powerful.
The book was quite an easy read and I was delighted with it.

[Christy Olesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the Audio CD edition, which I bought used at my local library's used book sale. I enjoy Maeve Binchy's stories, she is a master putting strangers together and exploring how they affect each others' lives. The problem with that is I get mixed up on who is who until near the end. I don't often listen to audio books, but I enjoyed listening to this one as I did some January decluttering. It made the task less dreary.
Narrator Terry Donnelly does an excellent job with the dialects and accents.

[Jaynie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an audio book, and therefore it took a long time to get through. I think I would have liked it more in print. Typical Binchy, kind of drawn out, rated PG, or maybe even G. Nobody's mother (Bambi) or father (Lion King) get killed. It was an OK book for the car as I don't always have much of a selection of things for that purpose; actually since it was relatively boring, it was good for fits and starts in the car. Pleasant story, no bit surprises (though a small, lovely one right at the end).

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book about relationships. Perhaps I'm tiring of her style, because although I truly enjoyed this book, I do find it all a bit too "perfect". All the characters have good hearts, get along fine and make friends with each other, even though they are simply tossed together because of a disaster in the village. I don't think it reflects "real life" all that well. That said, Binchy is always a guaranteed good read, if sometimes a bit on the lighter side. We all need that sometimes.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it was the first I have ever read by Maeve Binchy. My own sister suggested years ago that I would enjoy books by this author and so far so good!
If only everyone could have a Yonni in their lives. Of course her life experiences are the reasons she is so wise and she helps the other characters in the story make decisions without regret. I will definitely read more of this author's work. I found this story very comforting.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed many Binchy stories over the years, & while this one was also delightful~~~~it lacked some of the depth of character of some of her others. Still, loved the setting- a small Greek Island village, & it's colorful & varied inhabitants~plus~the four travelers who come together there.

[Pam Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read. This book's universal them resonated with me. A delightfully entertaining book, filled with characters I found worth reading about. I wasn't disappointed with any of the plot choices that were developed. This was my first Maeve Binchy book to read, but it will not be my last. I look forward to the next book!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not stop reading this even though I found the writing repetitive and almost adolescent. Great characters, vivid descriptions and good storytelling. A bit predictable. All in all a good escape.

[Lorna Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Maeve Binchy's characters. She always makes them interesting and puts them in unusual situations, yet the reader cares about them. The only issue I had with this one was all the head-hopping from one character to another Not my favorite Binchy book.

[Ann Gallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read, loved the setting, provoked some serious thinking about life, its ups and down; what it takes to really look at ourselves. Good ending, one I hoped from the start. Makes me want to travel some more.

[Kathleen Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book many moons ago. It was nice to pick up an old friend and enjoy a wonderful 'fluffy' read while dealing with a sore back and somewhat limited mobility. I could sit, read, nap and escape to an island in Greece. Lovely get away type of book!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Maeve Binchy

[Donna Heder · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books ever!

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previous to Goodreads I kept a book log. I am updating ratings based on my log. My rating system is 1 - 10. I gave this book an 9.5. Loved this book.

[Jan Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another typical Maeve Binchy read

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a Binchy book in years. Why? Her characters are so real. I hated for this one to end.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it hard to get into but did enjoy the completed story. Loved the setting in a tiny Greek town.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read!

[Charlene Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story!

[Ross Mountney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can always rely on her for a good story!

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting out I figured this book to be very predictable, but in the end, I was pleasantly semi-surprised. 3 1/2 stars.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was light and easy to escape into as you read.

[Marni Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little read, good for a little feel good and a bit of escape

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished reading it in April, it was good, it's in the mail to a friend

[Lindsey Kelstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read

[M Kathy Sidaway]

Charming book about strangers meeting in Greece and the intersecting of their lives.

[Linda Derr]

A very sweet love story!