Status
Available
Publication
Anchor (2014), Edition: Reprint, 416 pages
Description
"Maeve Binchy, "the grand story teller,"* returns with a cast of characters you will never forget when they all spend a winter week together on holiday at Stone House, a restful inn by the sea... Stoneyville is a small town on the coast of Ireland where all the families know each other. When Chicky decides to take an old decaying mansion, Stone House, and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, the town thinks she is crazy. She is helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the place) and her niece Orla (a whiz at business). Finally the first week of paying guests arrive: John, the American movie star thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian, forced into taking a holiday together; Nuala and Henry, husband and wife , both doctors who have been shaken by seeing too much death; Anders, the Swedish boy, hates his father's business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired school teacher, who criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone's relief; the Walls who have entered in 200 contests (and won everything from a microwave oven to velvet curtains, including the week at Stone House); and Freda , the psychic who is afraid of her own visions. You will laugh and cry as you spend the week with this odd group who share their secrets and might even have some of their dreams come true. "--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member stillwaters12
This book is a warm story of the people who run and visit Stone House on the Atlantic in Ireland. Chicky has come home to Ireland from her years in New York. She takes over an old, stately house overlooking the ocean and makes a wonderfully restorative bed and breakfast type of vacation place out
By switching from the first week of operation and backward to each character's tale of how they came to Stone House, Binchy writes what could be many well told short stories connected to each other by their week under Chicky's gracious care. All of the stories are richly interesting and fully fleshed out.
Sadly, this has been Maeve Binchy's last book. She died at the age of 72 shortly after finishing A Week in Winter. Happily her skill and gift of constructing warm, caring communities of people did not lessen before her death in 2012.
Even if you have not read any of Ms Binchy's other tales, be sure to read this one for the gentle weaving of people's lives in an Irish rural setting. If you have enjoyed any of Binchy's other books, this one will not disappoint you.
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of it. By switching from the first week of operation and backward to each character's tale of how they came to Stone House, Binchy writes what could be many well told short stories connected to each other by their week under Chicky's gracious care. All of the stories are richly interesting and fully fleshed out.
Sadly, this has been Maeve Binchy's last book. She died at the age of 72 shortly after finishing A Week in Winter. Happily her skill and gift of constructing warm, caring communities of people did not lessen before her death in 2012.
Even if you have not read any of Ms Binchy's other tales, be sure to read this one for the gentle weaving of people's lives in an Irish rural setting. If you have enjoyed any of Binchy's other books, this one will not disappoint you.
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
A Week in Winter, Maeve Binchy's last novel, is a charming and familiar blend of colorful characters, set in a country house hotel on the west coast of Ireland. It proceeds to tell the stories of its staff and guests. First we meeting Geraldine “Chicky” Ryan who fell in love with the wrong man
I love the way Maeve Binchy writes and she succeeded in making me interested in every chapter and the characters it featured. She finished this book shortly before her death in 2012 and probably didn't have the time to edit it herself. I never felt there was a connection to an overarching storyline and it never coalesced as a novel for me. All the guests eventually leave knowing more about themselves. While not my favorite Binchy, it was a lovely journey and an enjoyable read. I'm sad that she is no longer with us but she left dozens of wonderful books to remember her by.
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and makes up a story for her family when she returns years later. She decides to purchase a historic house in Stonybridge, her home town, and turn it into a small and quiet hotel. She spends quite a bit of time preparing the house but she knows she's going to need friends and family to help her make it a success. Once we read the stories about Chicky and her close friends, we start those of the guests who have come to stay during the opening weekend.I love the way Maeve Binchy writes and she succeeded in making me interested in every chapter and the characters it featured. She finished this book shortly before her death in 2012 and probably didn't have the time to edit it herself. I never felt there was a connection to an overarching storyline and it never coalesced as a novel for me. All the guests eventually leave knowing more about themselves. While not my favorite Binchy, it was a lovely journey and an enjoyable read. I'm sad that she is no longer with us but she left dozens of wonderful books to remember her by.
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LibraryThing member PhyllisHarrison
Having seen her name all over the big bookstores, I had been meaning to read something by Maeve Binchy for years, but never got around to it until our library offered a Nook already loaded with sixteen books. This was my chance to learn how to work the e-books and also to read some material I might
"A Week in Winter" was the last book Maeve Binchy wrote just before she died. The story line is akin to Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" or perhaps even a good murder mystery ("I've called you all together here to..."). A group of people gather for a holiday at a newly established country inn on the Irish coast. We learn about them in the chapters on each person: the mysteries, the deceptions, and the sorrows in their souls.
Unlike Mitch Albom's book, A Week in Winter does not have any surrealism, only character portraits of women and men. The ocean waves crash outside in the cold Irish countryside, an unlikely place for a holiday, but as it turns out, the perfect place to go and heal a soul in pain. I served myself hot tea while the characters enjoyed theirs, and I read on in the dark and cold until the wee hours of the morning. Unlike some other authors, Maeve Binchy helps us out and makes it easy to keep the many characters straight. Her style is direct, simple and to the point, making an easy and fast read for young and adult readers alike. This book would be great to take on a vacation or to read over a rainy or snowy weekend. I enjoyed most of this book, but the simplistic happy ending left me feeling unsatisfied. That said though, it's a sweet read. Make yourself a pot of tea (or cocoa or coffee if you prefer) and curl up with this on a winter night.
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not ordinarily pick out for myself. "Surprises for you!" It seemed to beckon to me from the shelves.I was happy as a kid on Halloween with all those unfamiliar goodies, but I know I will not finish all of the 16 (no renewals)."A Week in Winter" was the last book Maeve Binchy wrote just before she died. The story line is akin to Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" or perhaps even a good murder mystery ("I've called you all together here to..."). A group of people gather for a holiday at a newly established country inn on the Irish coast. We learn about them in the chapters on each person: the mysteries, the deceptions, and the sorrows in their souls.
Unlike Mitch Albom's book, A Week in Winter does not have any surrealism, only character portraits of women and men. The ocean waves crash outside in the cold Irish countryside, an unlikely place for a holiday, but as it turns out, the perfect place to go and heal a soul in pain. I served myself hot tea while the characters enjoyed theirs, and I read on in the dark and cold until the wee hours of the morning. Unlike some other authors, Maeve Binchy helps us out and makes it easy to keep the many characters straight. Her style is direct, simple and to the point, making an easy and fast read for young and adult readers alike. This book would be great to take on a vacation or to read over a rainy or snowy weekend. I enjoyed most of this book, but the simplistic happy ending left me feeling unsatisfied. That said though, it's a sweet read. Make yourself a pot of tea (or cocoa or coffee if you prefer) and curl up with this on a winter night.
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LibraryThing member DubaiReader
A series of short stories.
Unabridged audiobook.
I was surprised when I checked back, to find that I had read so many books by this author (listed below). I tend to think of her as a gentle author but none of her novels have so far gripped me. I had hoped that her latest and last book would have a
I am not a fan of the technique of introducing a bunch of characters that eventually interact, and in this case it felt very much like a series of short stories.
As well as hearing the back-stories of Chicky, her friend's son, Rigga, and niece, Orla, we are introduced to a cast of ten visitors who come to stay at the newly refurbished Stone House for a Week in Winter. That's thirteen different characters that are introduced one after the other. None was particularly endearing and some were positively cringe-worthy. I found myself groaning with each new chapter, headed by yet another name. It became more interesting as the different personalities interacted a bit at the house, but even this was underdeveloped.
The ending was disappointing and felt rushed, with a central plot issue left largely unresolved.
I liked that the narrator read the book with a soft Irish accent and her subtle American twang for Chicky felt very right. In the past Maeve's sister, Kate, has read her novels but in this case it was the actress, Caroline Lennon, who did an excellent job.
I have a few more Maeve Binchy books on my shelves but I shan't be in any hurry to bump them to the top of my to-be-read pile.
Also read:
Nights of Rain and Stars (2 stars)
Circle of Friends (4 stars)
Echoes (1 star)
Heart and Soul - abridged audiobook (3.5 stars)
Unabridged audiobook.
I was surprised when I checked back, to find that I had read so many books by this author (listed below). I tend to think of her as a gentle author but none of her novels have so far gripped me. I had hoped that her latest and last book would have a
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modern twist that would change my opinion of her writing but, sadly, this was not to be.I am not a fan of the technique of introducing a bunch of characters that eventually interact, and in this case it felt very much like a series of short stories.
As well as hearing the back-stories of Chicky, her friend's son, Rigga, and niece, Orla, we are introduced to a cast of ten visitors who come to stay at the newly refurbished Stone House for a Week in Winter. That's thirteen different characters that are introduced one after the other. None was particularly endearing and some were positively cringe-worthy. I found myself groaning with each new chapter, headed by yet another name. It became more interesting as the different personalities interacted a bit at the house, but even this was underdeveloped.
The ending was disappointing and felt rushed, with a central plot issue left largely unresolved.
I liked that the narrator read the book with a soft Irish accent and her subtle American twang for Chicky felt very right. In the past Maeve's sister, Kate, has read her novels but in this case it was the actress, Caroline Lennon, who did an excellent job.
I have a few more Maeve Binchy books on my shelves but I shan't be in any hurry to bump them to the top of my to-be-read pile.
Also read:
Nights of Rain and Stars (2 stars)
Circle of Friends (4 stars)
Echoes (1 star)
Heart and Soul - abridged audiobook (3.5 stars)
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LibraryThing member rglossne
lots of fun to listen to.
LibraryThing member 2LZ
I loved everything about A Week In Winter by Maeve Binchy, from the dedication to her husband Gordon to the very last word. As always, Maeve Binchy is able to gather people together, and for the most part, change their lives for the better. In this particular novel, the guests come together in a
If I had any complaint, it would be that the chapters were just too long for me, but thankfully there were markers throughout that allowed for a natural break. It makes me sad to think that this was her final book, as she passed away recently. She leaves behind an amazing legacy of novels and stories, but I can't help but wish for more. Maeve Binchy always left the reader wanting more, more of her stunning work of everyday people, who extraordinarily, were able to capture the readers' hearts and not let go.
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renovated mansion, turned inn, on the West Coast of Ireland, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The reader feels uplifted sharing in the beautiful, lush, restful scenery and becoming acquainted with these varied characters and their histories. I so enjoyed the easiness of the story, and I looked forward to each chapter where a new character was introduced. Characters from some of Ms. Binchy's other books appear, and it's a treat to get a glimpse of how their lives turned out.If I had any complaint, it would be that the chapters were just too long for me, but thankfully there were markers throughout that allowed for a natural break. It makes me sad to think that this was her final book, as she passed away recently. She leaves behind an amazing legacy of novels and stories, but I can't help but wish for more. Maeve Binchy always left the reader wanting more, more of her stunning work of everyday people, who extraordinarily, were able to capture the readers' hearts and not let go.
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LibraryThing member JackieBlem
I read a LOT of Binchy's books in my late teens and twenties, and felt profoundly sad when I heard of her death last year. She brought me many many hours of delight and escape, and I will be forever grateful for that. I pretty much did a happy dance when I saw that there was one more coming. A Week
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in Winter is a lovely way to say goodbye to Maeve. These characters are vivid and endearing (even the grumpy ones), and this story of the making of a hotel and the saving of many people in the process, is a glowingly warm story with touches of tremendous magic all around. It is a feel good retreat from your life and into a delightful island off Ireland. It's one last hug from Maeve--don't miss it. Show Less
LibraryThing member janiereader
I read this book with a heavy heart knowing it was Maeve's last one, and I am so happy for her that it was a great one. If you are a Binchy fan, prepare yourself for all the quirky characters and a heart-warming storyline. Chicky comes back to her childhood home and opens a bed and breakfast on the
For those who are seeking a read-alike author, now that Binchy is gone, give a try to Rosemunde Pilcher. She too writes character-centered stories that are very similar. At almost 90 years of age, she hasn't had a book out since 2000, leaving a big gap in the market for a new successor.
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beautiful shores of Ireland. The ensemble of characters each get their own chapter as she describes the re-building of the inn, and the group of people who come to spend the opening week of the new enterprise. It's a beautiful book and I am sad to think there will be no more. Luckily there are still a few of her books I haven't gotten to. For those who are seeking a read-alike author, now that Binchy is gone, give a try to Rosemunde Pilcher. She too writes character-centered stories that are very similar. At almost 90 years of age, she hasn't had a book out since 2000, leaving a big gap in the market for a new successor.
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LibraryThing member summergal05
A classic Binchy and unfortunately her last. Chicky Starr through a round about way becomes the owner of an old manor house. The house gets refurbished and welcomes a variety of characters for a week in winter. Ms. Binchy revives old places/people from past books. Her story is a wonderful read.
LibraryThing member janismack
This was a typical Maeve Binchy book, sweet and easy to read. She always creates a lovely mix of characters that are so quaint and likable. She also lets us know how other characters feel about each other so that's kind of cute and endearing. I read this while on holiday in Mexico and it was
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perfect. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookofsecrets
A WEEK IN WINTER was my first journey into the world of Maeve Binchy, and it was a memorable experience. This book is more a collection of interconnected short stories rather than a usual novel, with their common factor being Stone House in Stoneybridge, Ireland. The setting was amazing! The west
Beginning with the inn’s owner, Chicky Starr, each chapter is about one character (or couple) who has come to Stone House, either as an employee or guest. All of the characters seem to be looking for a sense of peace in their troubled lives, and visiting this enchanted place may help them find it. Each chapter begins with the featured character’s back story, and how his or her path led to a holiday week at Stone House. I enjoyed the author’s engaging writing style and the well-drawn cast she created. The pacing was slow in spots, but overall I was drawn in by my introduction to Ms. Binchy’s gifted storytelling.
A WEEK IN WINTER was a delightful read that left me with a warm, cozy feeling. I’d love to spend a week (or longer) at Stone House, too.
Source: Review copy from Edelweiss
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coast of Ireland was described in such gorgeous detail that I wanted to be there to hear the waves crashing against the cliffs.Beginning with the inn’s owner, Chicky Starr, each chapter is about one character (or couple) who has come to Stone House, either as an employee or guest. All of the characters seem to be looking for a sense of peace in their troubled lives, and visiting this enchanted place may help them find it. Each chapter begins with the featured character’s back story, and how his or her path led to a holiday week at Stone House. I enjoyed the author’s engaging writing style and the well-drawn cast she created. The pacing was slow in spots, but overall I was drawn in by my introduction to Ms. Binchy’s gifted storytelling.
A WEEK IN WINTER was a delightful read that left me with a warm, cozy feeling. I’d love to spend a week (or longer) at Stone House, too.
Source: Review copy from Edelweiss
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LibraryThing member mchwest
This was a very nice read, and I expect nothing less of Maeve Binchy. I have always loved her books and this one made me feel good to read it and sad when it ended, she could have gone on and on with it. Very well done, very descriptive of the Irish coastline, talk of a beautiful Stone Inn and the
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characters weren't all a bed of roses, some thorns,but she developed them well and left plenty of material to visit this place again. Unfortunately with her death we will not visit Stone House again, but her books will always be recommended to my friends by me. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarkMeg
Good summer reading. Chickey inherits an old house that she renovates into a hotel. The story is background and development of her first guests. A Pleasant entertainment.
LibraryThing member shayrp76
Rest in Peace Maeve Binchy!
I just finished and am a little bit speechless. I fell in love with this book from the first page and stayed in love until the last. I really did not want to reach the end of this one. All of the characters are amazing and their individual stories are incredible. If I
I just finished and am a little bit speechless. I fell in love with this book from the first page and stayed in love until the last. I really did not want to reach the end of this one. All of the characters are amazing and their individual stories are incredible. If I
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would have had the time I could have easily read this novel in one or two sittings and I will buy a copy so that I can read it again in the future. This was my first book by Maeve Binchy but now I will find everything that she wrote and read them all. I wish I would have discovered her work sooner. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
I wish I had a more favorable reaction to beloved Maeve Binchy's final novel but this collection of uneven vignettes falls short. Binchy starts with the story of Chicky Starr, who leaves her small coastal town in Ireland to take up with an American in New York, but ends up returning to open a bed
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and breakfast. She continues with the long back story of one of Chicky's employees, then each guest who stays the first week receives a chapter. Some characters are covered in great detail and others are barely explained at all. As the week draws to a close, the characters forge a weak connection and the book fizzles to an end. Some readers may be entertained by the characterizations but I was hoping for something more to this unimpressive story. Show Less
LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
Being Maeve Binchy's last book before her death, I had to take the time to read this. What a lovely offering, full of stories about people and how they came to be spending a week at Stone House in Ireland.
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Always fun to read a Maeve Binchy book. I will really miss her Irish characters and settings who all feel like old friends.
This book is similar to many others with many characters whose stories intertwine to form the whole.
This book is similar to many others with many characters whose stories intertwine to form the whole.
LibraryThing member etxgardener
Maeve Binchy was never going to win the National Book Award or the Pulitzer Prize, but she wrote heart warming novels with a cast of characters who made the reader happy to know them. This Posthumously published novel is no exception.
Chicky Starr has returned home after living in America for many
Preposterous? Well, yes mostly. But the atmosphere is so cozy that you just snuggle up to this book like wrapping yourself in a warm throw in front of a fire on a cold & rainy day.
Chicky Starr has returned home after living in America for many
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years and buys an old, once elegant house to turn into a boutique hotel on thew west coast of Ireland. The novel concerns her first week in operation and we learn about each of her guests - sort of a Grand hotel in miniature. Of course, the magic of the hotel proves to be life transforming for most of them.Preposterous? Well, yes mostly. But the atmosphere is so cozy that you just snuggle up to this book like wrapping yourself in a warm throw in front of a fire on a cold & rainy day.
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LibraryThing member melissarochelle
Another lovely novel by Maeve Binchy. Like previous works, we meet a group of people from varied backgrounds that all come together in a lovely Irish place. Because Binchy's novels tend to end on a heartwarming note, I always forget that many of her characters experience traumatic losses and lonely
I'm sad that this is the last new Binchy novel, she's one of the few novelists that I've read everything and never got bored with her stories.
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lives before the pleasant ending. She certainly doesn't sugarcoat anything in this one.I'm sad that this is the last new Binchy novel, she's one of the few novelists that I've read everything and never got bored with her stories.
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LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would read one of my favorite Irish writers. Binchy's work is not fast-paced or full of suspense, but she wrote well about people, how they think and who they are and how they act together. Her books are a nice diversion, a pleasant time spent with people
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you might actually meet. This one centers on a house in the west of Ireland that becomes a vacation destination. The novel takes the opening week of the house and gives us a glimpse of the lives of the people who live, work, and visit there. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cats57
I loved this unusual novel. Written more like a series of novellas than one long novel, this book deals with the different people who will eventually either work at Stone House or stay there for the inaugural week in the winter.
This book was written with Ms Binchy’s usual style and grace. The
The varieties of people who will be making up the visitors to the Inn are eclectic indeed and entirely entertaining. With each story being different yet part of a whole, the reader will never get bored or overly annoyed with a character they did not like. And there is at least one character that everyone will not like! With every page turn in this book, there is something new and fresh to look forward to.
Those who enjoy reading about Ireland will whole-heartedly miss Ms Maeve Binchy. Those who enjoy interesting and unusual characters and exceptional story telling will have to look far and wide to find an author of this caliber.
This book was written with Ms Binchy’s usual style and grace. The
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story is a bit of a typical one for the author, as she had been known to do lovely things with words and writing about people going through hard times and seeing the hope at the end of the tunnel.The varieties of people who will be making up the visitors to the Inn are eclectic indeed and entirely entertaining. With each story being different yet part of a whole, the reader will never get bored or overly annoyed with a character they did not like. And there is at least one character that everyone will not like! With every page turn in this book, there is something new and fresh to look forward to.
Those who enjoy reading about Ireland will whole-heartedly miss Ms Maeve Binchy. Those who enjoy interesting and unusual characters and exceptional story telling will have to look far and wide to find an author of this caliber.
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LibraryThing member gypsysmom
This book is formulaic Binchy, but that's not a bad thing. Only Binchy can take you into ordinary peoples' lives and make you care about what happens to them.
Chicky Ryan grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland within a stone's throw of the Atlantic Ocean. She explored the cliffs and caves and
The Stone House sounds like a wonderful place to spend a week. Winter in Ireland isn't the cold, snowy season we experience in the middle of Canada. With the proper clothes it is easy to spend hours walking outside, especially when there are warm pubs to repair to for some soup and a local brew. Maeve Binchy makes it seem real.
Chicky Ryan grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland within a stone's throw of the Atlantic Ocean. She explored the cliffs and caves and
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hills and creeks. She got to know all the people in and around Stoneybridge but then she fell in love with an American lad. He persuaded her to accompany him back to New York City much to her family's dismay. And they were right to be dismayed because it didn't take very long before he tired of Chicky and moved out to California. Chicky stayed in NYC and wrote weekly letters to her family about how wonderful he was and their small but lovely wedding. In fact she was working at a boarding house. She went back to Ireland for a week every year but then her niece wanted to come visit. So she had to kill off her husband in a highway crash. She decided to move back to Ireland for good. The old Stone House was falling into disrepair and only one of the three sisters who owned it was still alive. Chicky came up with a plan to turn the house into a small hotel. She agreed to keep Miss Queenie in the house for the rest of her life. It took a while to make the necessary repairs and upgrades but eventually she was ready to open. A week in winter on the west coast of Ireland appealed to a diverse group of people. They came, they mingled, they (mostly) found what they were missing.The Stone House sounds like a wonderful place to spend a week. Winter in Ireland isn't the cold, snowy season we experience in the middle of Canada. With the proper clothes it is easy to spend hours walking outside, especially when there are warm pubs to repair to for some soup and a local brew. Maeve Binchy makes it seem real.
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LibraryThing member cookiemo
This is Maeve Binchy's last book. It is different in the fact that the setting is created in an old home/hotel and then the rest of the story is about all the characters who are at this hotel in its first week.
Great descriptions of Ireland. She really creates a picture in your mind.
Great descriptions of Ireland. She really creates a picture in your mind.
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Binchy's last novel is a pleasant enough read, but nothing special. Like others of her later books, it's a novel in stories, slices of the lives of people who interact at a country house hotel in the west of Ireland. It doesn't build to any conclusions or contain any great insights or real
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resolution. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Always fun to read a Maeve Binchy book. I will really miss her Irish characters and settings who all feel like old friends.
This book is similar to many others with many characters whose stories intertwine to form the whole.
This book is similar to many others with many characters whose stories intertwine to form the whole.
Awards
Irish Book Award (Winner — Popular Fiction — 2012)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-11-20
Physical description
8 inches
ISBN
0307475506 / 9780307475503