Nights of Rain and Stars
by Maeve Binchy
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Book Reviews of Nights of Rain and Stars
Book Review: preachy but pleasant
Summary: 4 Stars
Nights of Rain & Stars isn't Circle of Friends but - here's where I differ with many reviewers - it's much better than the more recent novels like the forgettable Quentins and so-so Scarlet Feather. It gave Maeve Binchy a chance to explore those normally sketchy and undistinguishable characters she puts in her short stories. It has what's come to be a standard Maeve Binchy plot, in which a wise and mysterious figure with a past solves all the surrounding young people's personal problems, yet it was nicely written and flows well, under Terry Donnoly's narration at any rate. I especially liked the revelation of Vonni's story, a character, as others have pointed out, similar to the Signora in Evening Class but, in my opinion, much more nuanced and interesting.Book Review: Not her usual.....
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't let the pooh pooh's discourage you from reading Maeve Binchy's latest novel. No, it isn't strictly Irish, no, the characters aren't all strictly Irish, and NO, it doesn't even take place in Ireland, and YES, she has created different types of characters, for the most part, but she's still got the gift - which I wish she would share with us more frequently - and this very different Binchy novel is still a very, very good read. It takes place in Greece and brings together characters from different parts of the world and different walks of life, and a sort of bond is created between them due to a tragedy which takes place in a little town near the sea. Give it a chance!Book Review: flimsy
Summary: 2 Stars
A friend loaned me three Binchy novels. I read "Nights of Rain and Stars" first. I just finished "Evening Class" and I see why reviewers who have been her fans were so disappointed with "Nights of Rain and Stars." Big contrast! "Evening Class" was a fun read. "Nights of Rain and Stars" was like an outline of a novel - sketchy, undeveloped, barely interesting.
And I felt that the four vacationers, if they really had any respect for the community that suffered this tragedy (which compels them all to linger), would discreetly move on rather than gawking at the aftermath and projecting their own emotionalism onto the real pain of strangers.
Book Review: I liked it . . . I really liked it.
Summary: 4 Stars
I liked this book enough to read it in one sitting. I'm not sure what other readers found, but having spent a lot of time in Greece and in the Greek Isles, I was enchanted by the story of four strangers, all running from someting, who land on the magical Aghia Anna, forge friendships and confront their demons.
Binchy is a master at creating colorful supporting characters, so it's no surprise that this book's color goes to the wild Vonni (reminiscent of the teacher in EVENING CLASS).
I enjoyed every moment of the book and would recommend it to anyone who loves great stories, well-told.
Enjoy!
Book Review: Maeve has amazing insight into people!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was surprised at the low reviews of this book. While it doesn't have the sparkle of some of her books, there's still no one who brings characters to the table like Maeve. She's a master!
I still think it would be impossible to read half this book and not find out what happens in the end, so as far as I'm concerned, that's a great read. There's far too many books that are all plot, and I could care less if the heroine lives or dies. I ALWAYS feel for Maeve's characters, and that is a gift, she will always have. It's been too long since her last book, and I'm glad to see her return! I loved the different setting too.