A Week in Winter

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another. When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy. Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions.

Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling.

©2013 Maeve Binchy (P)2013 Random House Audio

Disappointed!

I have been a fan of Maeve Binchy since "Light a Penny Candle" and have read all of her books. This one did not meet the mark. I found it more like a series of vignettes rather than a novel. Too many characters to keep me engaged for any length of time. I enjoyed the narrator and the book had some lighthearted moments but not like any of her other novels.

more like short stories, but binchy a pleasure!

When reading Maeve Binchy's books, it's a question of whether what you have picked up is very good or terrific. This one is on the very good side, but still wonderful. Reads a bit like loosely tied short stories, however once you come to expect this the listening is relaxing and satisfying in the Binchy way. Narration is excellent. Well worth the audible credit.

Warm and Interesting story.

If you could sum up A Week in Winter in three words, what would they be?

Like hanging out with old friends. I love Maeve Binchy. She writes stories that make me feel good.

A Bittersweet Read of Maeve's Final Book

I thoroughly enjoyed this Binchy book, as I have every book she wrote. It was sad to think it would be the last one.

A Week in Winter follows a format that Bichy began a few years back: individual stories in chapters weaved together with a theme. It worked a little better - a little less forced - here than it has in some of the more recent ones.

Absolutely delightful!

Made me want to plan a trip to Ireland! Wonderful characters and true to life stories.

Delightful!

Interesting characters and storylines and great setting. Kept my attention, rested and fed my heart. Exactly what I needed.
So glad to have finally read one of her books. Will be looking for more now.

Not one of my favorites by Maeve Binchy

What did you like best about A Week in Winter? What did you like least?

The story starts out interestingly enough. Her characters are always relatable, and the story develops quickly. The problems start about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way into the book when she brings in new characters. I found it hard to follow and much less interesting after that point. In fact, I didn't finish it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have left the story line alone without the introduction of new characters at the end of the book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

This part was fine. I don't really care for the narrator who tries to act the book. She does this a bit.

Could you see A Week in Winter being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Delightful story

I enjoyed the various story lines and the characters tied together with Chickie’s story and the development of the hotel.

A suprising delight

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I found the book entertaining as each story woven together into a fantastic tapestry.

Wonderful

Tried and true Maeve Binchy. Sympathetic characters you want to know better and a storyline tying them all together with a satisfying ending that checks all the boxes. Add to that descriptions of the west of Ireland so lovely, you just might book a trip.