Nights of Rain and Stars

Nights of Rain and Stars
by Maeve Binchy

Nights of Rain and Stars
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Book Summary Information

Author: Maeve Binchy
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-09-16
ISBN: 052594754X
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Dutton Adult

Book Reviews of Nights of Rain and Stars

Book Review: Not the writer Maeve Binchy I remember.
Summary: 3 Stars

Once an avid reader of Maeve Binchy I must admit that I never did read her last three books which included Tara Road, Scarlet Feather and Quentins. Perhaps I didn't read them because rumor had it that each book was a bit less exciting then the next one. Or perhaps I decided to take a rest from an author I really did adore. Whatever the reason I eagerly anticipated Binchy's newest book, Nights of Rain and Stars, and purposely didn't read anything about this book before I read it so I could form my own opinion. Regrettably, I found this book rather disappointing from an author who I adored since I read her first book published in this country, Light a Penny Candle. And it trule grieves me to say that if Maeve Binchy's name wasn't on the cover I mighht not have finished this book. At best by the end I thought this book was very ordinary and wondered if Binchy even wrote it.

Nights of Rain and Stars tells the tale of four tourists to a Greek Island, Aghia Anna, who meet as they witness a tragedy. While a boat used to showing off the area to tourists is burning in the harbbor, five people from four different countries their way up the hill to a tavern run by Andreas, a 60 year old local to the island. Elsa, is a beautiful German woman who has left her career and lover trying to find answers to where she should go next. Fiona, from Ireland has left with her boyfriend who her parents and friend feel is not the best man for her. David, a quiet Englishman has left home despite that his father expects him to join his company. And finally there's Thomas, a professor on a year long sabbatical who fears he will lose his 10 year old son's love to his ex wife's new husband. While on the island these people are helped to understand their lives and decisions not only by each other but also by some of the local people. Among them is Eleni who David teaches how to drive a car and Georgi, the chief of police, who finds a way to separate Fiona from her lover Sean. But most of all these four people are helped by the wisdom and knowledge of Andreas who has a secret longing of his own and Vonni, a middle aged woman who came to the island from Ireland with her lover and has lived on the island for over 30 years.

The book is filled with some signature qualities of writing one is accustomed to from Maeve Binchy. Descriptions of the areaa, the climate, Greek food and music and dance fill the pages as the friends bond and ultimately make decisions which will alter their lives and lead them to new and and different futures. The writing though is not lyrical or as intersting as in other Bindhy books. And more than anything I found these characters rather wooden and at best the end is tied up a bit too neatly with almost everybody finding themselves in a better place than before.

In the past Binchy has been a wonderful weaver of tales and storyteller about human conditions and the fragiel nature of life and loving. Ultimately I feel that this book is not the best to offer by this author. I would rather suggest to those who haev love Binchy in the past to read this book fully aware that some readers didn't like this book as much as some of her other books. As for the newcomers to this author I would suggest spending time with Binchy's older books like Light a Penny Candle, The Glass Lake, Silver Wedding, Circle of Friends and The Copper Beech to see the real Maeve Binchy at work.

While I fully expect to go back now and read the three books I missed and even reread soem favorites, I also look forward to another new Binchy book which I hope will be as good as her older titles.

Summary of Nights of Rain and Stars

Nights of Rain and Stars is a story of sudden endings and new beginnings, of friendships forged in the face of tragedy, and of the nights of rain and stars that fall and shine over a beautiful island in a sparkling sea.

In a small Greek island village, a group of travelers from around the world and the local residents they encounter are brought together in unexpected ways when sudden tragedy strikes. In her inimitable style, Maeve Binchy shares with readers the lives of these strangers, learning their hopes, dreams, and fears as they move forward, forever changed by their experience.

Here is the story of old Andreas, the gentle taverna owner who has spent many years regretting the argument that drove his only son to America; Elsa, the beautiful German reporter who gave up her television career and the man she loves once she learned the secret he hid from her; and Fiona, the Irish nurse and dutiful daughter, who?s gone off to travel with the man everyone says is wrong for her, determined to show them all?even if everyone is right. This is also the story of David, the only son who loves his family but not the family business; Thomas, the Californian who is able to cope with his recent divorce but not with sharing his son with his wife?s new husband; and Vonni, who rashly left behind her life in Ireland to follow her true love to this village thirty years ago?and who is wise for everyone but herself.

A story that only Maeve Binchy could tell, told with the authenticity, charm, and grace that are her trademark, Nights of Rain and Stars will be rightly cherished by her millions of fans around the world.

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