Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Anchor (2011), 512 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: New York Times Bestseller A tale of joy, heartbreak and hope, about a motherless girl collectively raised by a close-knit Dublin community. When Noel learns that his terminally ill former flame is pregnant with his child, he agrees to take guardianship of the baby girl once she�??s born. But as a single father battling demons of his own, Noel can�??t do it alone. Fortunately, he has a competent, caring network of friends, family and neighbors: Lisa, his unlucky-in-love classmate, who moves in with him to help him care for little Frankie around the clock; his American cousin, Emily, always there with a pep talk; the newly retired Dr. Hat, with more time on his hands than he knows what to do with; Dr. Declan and Fiona and their baby son, Frankie�??s first friend; and many eager babysitters, including old friends Signora and Aidan and Frankie�??s doting grandparents, Josie and Charles. But not everyone is pleased with the unconventional arrangement, especially a nosy social worker, Moira, who is convinced that Frankie would be better off in a foster home. Now it�??s up to Noel to persuade her that everyone in town has something special to offer when it comes to minding Frankie. "Joyful, quintessential Binchy." �??O, The Oprah… (more)
Media reviews
Binchy remains the queen of spiritual comfort, but this time round she’s stretched interest thin with ups and downs too many and too mild.
User reviews
LibraryThing member coolmama
This was my first (and last) Binchy, and from the reviews I had high expectations.
It was a flat, Irish soap opera, with one dimensional characters, no background story, a third grade vocabulary and a totally predicable storyline!
In St Jarlath's Crescent in Dublin, there is much abuzz and about when
It was a flat, Irish soap opera, with one dimensional characters, no background story, a third grade vocabulary and a totally predicable storyline!
In St Jarlath's Crescent in Dublin, there is much abuzz and about when
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Cousin Emily (read Fairy Godmother) returns to Ireland after the death of her father, to discover her Irish roots. There is Josie and Charles and their son Noel who recently was told he was the father of a child (right before mother Stella dies), Lisa a "gifted and bright" young woman who left her job as a graphic designer to follow chef Anton around, and Doctor Hat. Show Less
LibraryThing member readingrebecca
I was hooked from the very first sentence. Maeve Binchy is a consummate storyteller, introducing characters and situations with ease.
I won’t go into the plot. After all there are already 104 reviews of this book. But I will say that the characters are real and the story is wonderful. Plus Ms.
The only bad thing about this book is that it came to an end. I easily could have just gone on reading about the lives of Noel and his daughter Frankie, his parents and all the other residents of St. Jarlath’s Crescent. I especially liked Cousin Emily—the changes she encouraged in people’s lives were so much fun to read about and a good lesson about the fine benefits of a positive attitude.
I won’t go into the plot. After all there are already 104 reviews of this book. But I will say that the characters are real and the story is wonderful. Plus Ms.
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Binchy brings in characters from previous books which is great so that we can see what they’re up to now. The only bad thing about this book is that it came to an end. I easily could have just gone on reading about the lives of Noel and his daughter Frankie, his parents and all the other residents of St. Jarlath’s Crescent. I especially liked Cousin Emily—the changes she encouraged in people’s lives were so much fun to read about and a good lesson about the fine benefits of a positive attitude.
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LibraryThing member Quiltinfun06
I'd have to say I am slightly disappointed in Maeve Binchy's newest novel, Minding Frankie. In true Binchy style she brought back existing characters and added new ones combining them into an ongoing saga.
Stella is dying and will never see the child, a girl, that she is pregnant with. Minutes
As with all of Binchy's novels, the story moves from family to family and ties up very prettily in the end. Maybe my tastes have changed or maybe the story has gotten old and tired. I just didn't enjoy it as I have the others before it. I guess anyone who is a fan of Binchy will have to try it for themselves. As for me, I will think twice about another.
Stella is dying and will never see the child, a girl, that she is pregnant with. Minutes
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after the child's birth Stella will die. Before her death, she has approached Noel the man she believes to be the father of this child. She asks him to raise the child in her absence. This is not so easy for Noel who is battling his own demons, the biggest of which is alcohol. As with all of Binchy's novels, the story moves from family to family and ties up very prettily in the end. Maybe my tastes have changed or maybe the story has gotten old and tired. I just didn't enjoy it as I have the others before it. I guess anyone who is a fan of Binchy will have to try it for themselves. As for me, I will think twice about another.
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LibraryThing member ValNewHope
The author created interesting characters, but the premise of the book was flawed and the story lines were predictable.
LibraryThing member drebbles
When Noel Lynch finds out he is going to be a father and that the baby’s mother is dying, he agrees to raise baby Frances Stella (known as Frankie). It won’t be easy for Noel who is an alcoholic, but he stops drinking, goes back to school, and applies himself to his job. It will be a struggle
“Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy is a sprawling novel filled with a large cast of characters and will at times make you laugh and at other times make you cry. At the heart of the novel is Noel’s trying to raise Frankie – to her credit Binchy doesn’t make Noel’s attempts to stop drinking easy – he struggles mightily with the temptation. He evolves from a somewhat unlikable character at the beginning of the book to someone you are cheering on by the end of the book. Besides Noel’s story there are several other interesting storylines going on: his parents want to raise money to build a statue of St. Jarlath; his American cousin Emily comes to visit and ends up changing not only her life but the lives of those around her; classmate Lisa thinks her relationship with restaurant owner Anton is something other than what it really is; social worker Moira is so convinced that Frankie is not being taken care of properly that she ignores the love surrounding the baby; and many more (the book has so many characters that it can be hard to keep track of them all – a few characters could easily have been edited out of the book). Binchy fans will be pleased to see characters from other books of hers show up in the novel such as Muttie and Lizzie, Maud and Simon, Cathy, Signora and Aidan. All of the storylines in the book are interesting and make sure you have a box of tissues near you when reading the book, especially during the last half of the book.
“Minding Frankie” falters a bit at the end when Binchy throws in a completely unnecessary plot twist – it feels almost like she didn’t know how to end the book and threw in the twist out of desperation. However, despite the twist, “Minding Frankie” is for the most part a good if at times heartbreaking novel.
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but fortunately Noel won’t have to raise Frankie alone – he has his family and friends to help.“Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy is a sprawling novel filled with a large cast of characters and will at times make you laugh and at other times make you cry. At the heart of the novel is Noel’s trying to raise Frankie – to her credit Binchy doesn’t make Noel’s attempts to stop drinking easy – he struggles mightily with the temptation. He evolves from a somewhat unlikable character at the beginning of the book to someone you are cheering on by the end of the book. Besides Noel’s story there are several other interesting storylines going on: his parents want to raise money to build a statue of St. Jarlath; his American cousin Emily comes to visit and ends up changing not only her life but the lives of those around her; classmate Lisa thinks her relationship with restaurant owner Anton is something other than what it really is; social worker Moira is so convinced that Frankie is not being taken care of properly that she ignores the love surrounding the baby; and many more (the book has so many characters that it can be hard to keep track of them all – a few characters could easily have been edited out of the book). Binchy fans will be pleased to see characters from other books of hers show up in the novel such as Muttie and Lizzie, Maud and Simon, Cathy, Signora and Aidan. All of the storylines in the book are interesting and make sure you have a box of tissues near you when reading the book, especially during the last half of the book.
“Minding Frankie” falters a bit at the end when Binchy throws in a completely unnecessary plot twist – it feels almost like she didn’t know how to end the book and threw in the twist out of desperation. However, despite the twist, “Minding Frankie” is for the most part a good if at times heartbreaking novel.
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LibraryThing member Chrissi1986
I thought this was quite a good book. It's easy to read. There are loads of characters. I think it may have worked better to have less and to focus on them in more depth, but still, it's worth a read if you enjoy Chick Lit.
LibraryThing member frisbeesage
Minding Frankie is the story of little Frankie Lynch whose mother died as she was giving birth. Her mother tells Noel Lynch that he is the father not long before she dies. A drunk who is unhappy in his work, he works hard to pull himself together for Frankie's sake. Helping, and occasionally,
Minding Frankie is standard Maeve Binchy fare which is to say magic. As always there is the unusual but thoroughly engaging cast of characters, the lessons in love, and the heartwarming ending. The twins and Muttie provide plenty of humor to lighten things up. Reading this book is like crawling into a warm bed on a cold winter night, bringing comfort and contentment.
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hindering him, are Binchy's usual cast of loveable, quirky characters - his parents who are obssessed with building a statue of Saint Jarleth, his long lost American cousin Emily who has just appeared, and those irrepressible twins. Everyone pitches in with advice and babysitting help until a cold and efficient social worker threatens to put Frankie in foster care.Minding Frankie is standard Maeve Binchy fare which is to say magic. As always there is the unusual but thoroughly engaging cast of characters, the lessons in love, and the heartwarming ending. The twins and Muttie provide plenty of humor to lighten things up. Reading this book is like crawling into a warm bed on a cold winter night, bringing comfort and contentment.
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LibraryThing member bearette24
This is the story of an Irish community that raises a child named Frankie, whose mother has died of cancer. Mostly it had the Binchy magic, with shrewd insights into the human condition, gentle humor, and characters recognizable from real life. I didn't really like the twist at the end, I felt it
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added a sour note; but otherwise, this was an enjoyable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member 4fish
For the most part, nothing terribly dramatic happens in a Maeve Binchy novel, and yet I'm always eager to read them, and finish with the feeling that I've had a visit with old friends.
LibraryThing member jovilla
Maeve Binchy is a favorite author, writing warm hearted novels of quirky cute characters in Ireland, causing me to want to visit that country. This concerns the residents of a particular street and their activities in that community. Frankie is the baby suddenly arriving in a surprise to the
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unsuspecting Noel, a sad young alcoholic with little hope for the future. Lisa is a talented young woman who hopelessly loves the charming Anton, but he is only using her when he feels like it, not really loving her in the way she hopes. Emily is a visiting American cousin who quickly settles into the neighborhood, making it all run like a charm. These and several others are the cast of characters in this lovely book. It comes to a tidy close but there are a couple of tiny loose ends that I wish were cleared up. Show Less
LibraryThing member PennyAnne
Typical Maeve Binchy - light, easy to read, engaging romantic fiction. Nothing to stress the mind or cause one to have any deep thoughts - the perfect book for me to read while I was ill.
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
I have always enjoyed Maeve Binchy's charming tales of life in Ireland. She does not sugar coat troubles, nor does she always bring us "happily every after" endings. In this latest novel about life in modern day Dublin, we meet Noel, an alcoholic ne'er do well, who is still living with his parents,
With the generous and enabling help of a cousin from America, who has recently arrived in town for an extended stay, he finds a place to live, he enrolls in college, he gets a roommate who trades him part-time child care for free rent, he learns to cook, and most importantly he joins AA and begins a life of sobriety. This is not to say the story is all roses, there are lots of thorns - especially the overbearing child welfare social worker who is determined to find an excuse to take little Frankie away from him. There are dear friends, nosy neighbors, and doting grandparents. It has its scary moments, but it has heart-warming ending. It is a charming story that leaves the reader wanting another chapter.
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who doesn't like his job and who isn't exactly motivated to do anything about it, until he is summoned to the bedside of an old girlfriend who is pregnant and dying of cancer. She tells him he is the father, and she's leaving the baby in his care. And although suddenly Noel has motivation-- a daughter named Frankie--he still needs a lot of help with the totally unfamiliar world of parenthood.With the generous and enabling help of a cousin from America, who has recently arrived in town for an extended stay, he finds a place to live, he enrolls in college, he gets a roommate who trades him part-time child care for free rent, he learns to cook, and most importantly he joins AA and begins a life of sobriety. This is not to say the story is all roses, there are lots of thorns - especially the overbearing child welfare social worker who is determined to find an excuse to take little Frankie away from him. There are dear friends, nosy neighbors, and doting grandparents. It has its scary moments, but it has heart-warming ending. It is a charming story that leaves the reader wanting another chapter.
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LibraryThing member clue
Another Maeve Binchy novel that brings a few hours of respite from the real world. The story takes place in the neighborhood of St. Jarlath's Crescent. Characters from previous Binchy novels live there as do some new characters. The primary characters are a baby girl whose mother dies during her
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birth and the baby's the father, who lives with his parents in St. Jarlath's Crescent and learns he's the father days before the baby is born. The story tells all that happens in St. Jarlath's Crescent, including how the "haven't got a clue" boy becomes a true father, during the baby's first year. Show Less
LibraryThing member janiereader
I'm a Maeve Binchy fan, but haven't picked up one of her books in years, but found this one on the leased section of the library and decided to give it a go. It was sort of like finding an old friend. Nothing exciting, no thrills or surprises, just fun leisure reading. Binchy books were always my
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choice of reading when vacationing, and I know that I read her book, September, over 2 separate beach vacations that occurred years apart. The author included many of her other characters from other titles, making this book a quick, light visit to Ireland. Show Less
LibraryThing member smallwonder56
I used to love Maeve Binchy novels, and now I can't think of why I did. Were they better in the past? Did I get pickier?
The book centers around the birth of a child whose mother dies of cancer as the child is born. A lot of drama revolved around the fitness of the single father as a parent. He's
I'd rather read Marian Keyes.
The book centers around the birth of a child whose mother dies of cancer as the child is born. A lot of drama revolved around the fitness of the single father as a parent. He's
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harassed through the whole book by a social worker with way too many opinions. Subplots were tied up in one or two sentences at times, and the central question was resolved with no apparent explanation. It was way too "light". The characters were nice, but with a cast of thousands (ok, it just seemed like thousands) it was hard to keep track of who many of them were. I'd rather read Marian Keyes.
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LibraryThing member gbower
Maeve Binchy has done it again!! She writes of the real world with all the trials and tribulations. She does not avoid complications and unhappy situations but always leaves me with the feeling that people and life are good and worthwhile. What a wonderful storyteller!
LibraryThing member laluna179
When a baby's mother dies, a Dublin community bands together to care for the infant and keep her out of foster care. Joyful, quintessential Binchy.
LibraryThing member Glorybe1
What a really lovely book, I am so glad Maeve Binchy came back to writing novels.
You feel like you really know each character personally. She has a warm way of writing even though some of the topics within can be quite serious. And this is no different. Frankie is a lucky girl believe me!
Please
You feel like you really know each character personally. She has a warm way of writing even though some of the topics within can be quite serious. And this is no different. Frankie is a lucky girl believe me!
Please
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read this book its lovely. Show Less
LibraryThing member SalemAthenaeum
In the city of Dublin, a child is about to be raised in a community effort like no other. The former girlfriend of Noel has been found to be pregnant with his child, as well as terminally ill. When Noel agrees to take the child in to raise her, he doesn't quite know what he is getting himself into.
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But with the help of his friends, family, and neighbours, Noel is able to keep ahead of Frankie's needs and convince Moira the social worker that Frankie is just as well off at home with her father as she would be in a foster home. Show Less
LibraryThing member yukon92
If you have liked any of the other Maeve Binchy books that involve her characters like Father Brian, Muttie and his family, etc... this book is an absolute must!
LibraryThing member Suzieqkc
I love Maeve Binchy's writing! I wish that she would write 3 or 4 books a year. Can't wait to see what the twins will be up to next. Thanks Ms Binchy for such sweet stories about the value of family and friends.
LibraryThing member IandSsmom
Sweet story with wonderful characters! Some were from some of her past books and some brand new! So much emotion and things going on! It was just a really great story!
LibraryThing member njmom3
A fun rambling story where everyone knows everyone, people have a way of coming together, and things have a way of working.
LibraryThing member kath8899
story of a motherless girl raised by young irresponsible father that grows up to take responsibility but needs help of friends and family. Nice neighbors and friends story.
LibraryThing member picardyrose
This is why we like her.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
ISBN
0307475492 / 9780307475497