Status
Available
Publication
Century (1990), Edition: First Edition, 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML:�[An] irresistible invitation to share the lives of people who believe in enduring values.��Detroit Free Press It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny�the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents. . . . Eve�the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny�they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains . . . except their own. It widened at Dublin, at the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahlon and Jack Foley, a doctor's handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a. . . Circle Of Friends. Praise for Circle of Friends �A rare pleasure . . . at terrific tale, told by a master storyteller.��Susan Isaacs, The New York Times Book Review �Circle of Friends welcomes you in.��The Washington Post.… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member mchenson
Upon reflection of many readings of this particular novel, I still find it relevant, and most of all perhaps Binchy's best. The characters are well written, the plot intriguing as you follow two naive ladies into adulthood. Childhood bonds are tested as betrayal and heartbreak enter the picture.
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Gone is their innocence. I prefer the book for all the amazing details, but the movie for the rosy ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Gentle and character driven. Very well written and you do come to really care about the characters. Haven't read Binchy in a while, but I do remember that this holds true for most of her books. I can't pick just one character to like or dislike, they are all wonderfully written and realized.
LibraryThing member nfoskett521
Probably my favorite Maeve Binchy novel. It's the one that started my love for her writing. What I admire most is the way she takes the ordinary lives of people and invites us into the drama, the loss, the love, the joy, the success, the failure - we realize that no one's life is ordinary.
LibraryThing member eargent
A favourite that I read long ago and first was introduce to Binchy with this book. The beginning of a love affair with an author.
LibraryThing member carmarie
I love Maeve Binchy! This was my favorite, I think. Maybe because I love the movie too. Her gift for narration and story telling is truely fantastic.
LibraryThing member freddlerabbit
Maeve Binchy is comfort food reading - her works are not great literature, and there are things I sometimes dislike about them. The characters are often rather simplistic - not so much in description or situation, but in their attitudes and conflicts, in ways that can sometimes seem unrealistic.
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But then, many people do go through life without questioning fundamental assumptions and without seeing things that seem obvious to others - there are people who are quite like Binchy's characters. But I don't read her books for depth or conflict, I read them because they tend to be charming books about Irish women, the kind I grew up with: women who have the responsibility for everything, and handle all disasters capably and mostly calmly. Women who suppress tears when there is no time for them, who are strong in friendship and fearless in the face of cruelty and injustice. I read these books from time to time when I need comfort and solace, and they never fail to provide it. Show Less
LibraryThing member VirginiaGill
I've long contemplated reading this book so when I discovered it in the free books rack at my local library I snagged it. Opened it with trepidation as so often the translation between book and movie is less than ideal. Adored the movie though so hoped the book would be at least as good. I was not
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disappointed. The book is even better than the movie and I know I will read it again and again through the years. Show Less
LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
The circle began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the tiny village of Knockglen. Benny - the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents. Eve - the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy
The circle blossomed in Dublin, to the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, the handsome son of a doctor. But heartbreak and betrayal would eventually bring the sheltered world of Knockglen and Dublin together in an explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would surface to test the meaning of love and to try the strength of bonds created within the fragile gold bands of a Circle of Friends...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; as I have enjoyed so many of Maeve Binchy's books that I've read in the past. I originally thought that I read it about fifteen or twenty years ago, but I was mistaken. I don't believe that I've ever read this book before. However, I do remember watching the movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, when it came on television about seven months ago.
I loved both the book and the movie, but they were each so different that I was slightly confused over whether I had actually read the book before. I give Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy an A+!
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family to be raised by the nuns. Eve and Benny - they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.The circle blossomed in Dublin, to the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, the handsome son of a doctor. But heartbreak and betrayal would eventually bring the sheltered world of Knockglen and Dublin together in an explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would surface to test the meaning of love and to try the strength of bonds created within the fragile gold bands of a Circle of Friends...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; as I have enjoyed so many of Maeve Binchy's books that I've read in the past. I originally thought that I read it about fifteen or twenty years ago, but I was mistaken. I don't believe that I've ever read this book before. However, I do remember watching the movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, when it came on television about seven months ago.
I loved both the book and the movie, but they were each so different that I was slightly confused over whether I had actually read the book before. I give Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy an A+!
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LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
Set in 1950s Dublin and fictitious town of Knockglen in rural Ireland. Friends Bernadette 'Benny' Hogan and orphan Eve Malone grow up in a small town and whilst Benny goes to university, Eve struggles to find her feet and the money to do so. They meet the ambitious Nan Mahon and the handsome Jack
An interesting cast of characters and a comfortable read.
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Foley. A story of friendships, first love and the loss of both of them.An interesting cast of characters and a comfortable read.
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LibraryThing member haymaai
‘A Circle of Friends’ is a story that I read after returning from a memorable and enjoyable time walking the streets of Dublin with our daughter, Genevieve, who resides in the city. As such, the story had a new context for me, as I recalled the lovely setting of picturesque places, such as the
If not for my connection to the setting, I don’t know that I would have completed this 722-page odyssey. The story was heartwarming and detailed, taking the reader into the lives of several characters who mostly generated from a small village in the outskirts of Dublin called Knockglen. Benny is a warm-hearted and large young girl who befriends Eve, an orphan who lives with the nuns in the village monastery. As the years progress, Eve and Benny continue in their friendship, as they both attend the University College of Dublin where they encircle themselves with other relationships to which the story is developed.
In this saga, Maeve Binchey introduces the reader to the lives of numerous secondary characters in the the village of Knockglen, such as Patsy the Hogan’s maid. Although Binchey’s efforts portray the convivial spirit of a small Irish village, I felt that for the sake of brevity in developing the plot, some editing might have been worthy.
For me, I was so entranced with all the locations that were mentioned in the story that I couldn’t wait to read further. ‘Circle of Friends’ is not a provocative or intriguing story, but it is what I would call a ‘comfort’ novel instead. The characters are well developed and the reader is acclimated to the relationships that Benny and Eve forge as they find their way into adulthood.
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beach promenade at Dun Laoghaire or the tranquil park of St. Stephens Green. With the setting in mind, I was enthralled with the novel, feeling closer to the characters, as I felt like I was revisiting Dublin again. If not for my connection to the setting, I don’t know that I would have completed this 722-page odyssey. The story was heartwarming and detailed, taking the reader into the lives of several characters who mostly generated from a small village in the outskirts of Dublin called Knockglen. Benny is a warm-hearted and large young girl who befriends Eve, an orphan who lives with the nuns in the village monastery. As the years progress, Eve and Benny continue in their friendship, as they both attend the University College of Dublin where they encircle themselves with other relationships to which the story is developed.
In this saga, Maeve Binchey introduces the reader to the lives of numerous secondary characters in the the village of Knockglen, such as Patsy the Hogan’s maid. Although Binchey’s efforts portray the convivial spirit of a small Irish village, I felt that for the sake of brevity in developing the plot, some editing might have been worthy.
For me, I was so entranced with all the locations that were mentioned in the story that I couldn’t wait to read further. ‘Circle of Friends’ is not a provocative or intriguing story, but it is what I would call a ‘comfort’ novel instead. The characters are well developed and the reader is acclimated to the relationships that Benny and Eve forge as they find their way into adulthood.
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LibraryThing member abergsman
The 5 star is a product of my younger self. I adored this book when I was a teen, and read it countless times.
LibraryThing member jlrobinson99
I have loved Maeve Binchy since I discovered her during my first year of university. My dad gave me 'The Copper Beech' one Christmas and I felt cast under a spell from the first chapter. I remember going back for Winter Term and hitting exams, being totally exhausted and tired of studying so
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wandering down to Waterloo Town Square to a Coles bookshop. I wanted a distraction so thought I would see if Maeve had anything else to offer. I picked Circle of Friends off of the book shelf and it saw me through the next few weeks, as I promised myself a another chapter or a few more pages for every hour I could stick with studying. So my attachment to this book is largely emotional but it's also a great story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ambo_O
This book was fantastic. It does a really great job of showing the kinds of friends you have in your life, and the roles they play. I highly recommend it.
LibraryThing member cestovatela
A strictly middle-of-the-road story about growing up, love and friendship. It pains me to say this, but I liked the movie better.
LibraryThing member SusanBarnard
The main character, Benny, has all the angst and self-doubt of any young adult trying to figure out life...and every college student planning her future. Binchy provides plenty of life events to keep the reader's heart aching for Benny through all her success and failures (real and imagined). The
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story is like real life - unpredictable, predictable; misinterpreted events and betrayal (real and imagined). I enjoy reading about Ireland, and I grew up in a small town - so this book has everything for me. Life in the Irish village (and cities) is at once exotic, yet the themes of friendship and growing-up are familiar. This book stays on my bookshelf, so I can re-read it when I'm in the mood for ordinary life events, turned to angst through a compelling narrative. Show Less
LibraryThing member CityLove
This story will suck you in. I felt totally wrapped up in each character. It's an edge of your seat book. I have read it twice.
LibraryThing member tg9522
Ireland setting, many family and friends
LibraryThing member lucymaesmom
One of my all time favorite authors. One of my all time favorite books. To read Maeve Binchy is to be immersed in her world. This is a book where you think about the characters long after you're done with the book and wish you could find Knockglen on a map and go to visit.
LibraryThing member lorabear
Read this book many years ago in high school. Remember Loving the book, the movie (like usual) did not do the book justice......Think it may be time to dust this one off, and experience it again.
LibraryThing member tillymint100
Very long winded
LibraryThing member rohetherington
Like a rollercoaster ride. It was slow to get going, then it whooshed through many twists & turns! Luckily I had Benny's admirable strength of character to hang on to.
LibraryThing member christinejoseph
Weak - story of 3 Irish girls - growing up their friendship at school weaving in w/ boys - okay
Predictable.
Big, generous-hearted Benny and the elfin Eve Malone have been best friends growing up in sleepy Knockglen. Their one thought is to get to Dublin, to university and to freedom...
On their first
Predictable.
Big, generous-hearted Benny and the elfin Eve Malone have been best friends growing up in sleepy Knockglen. Their one thought is to get to Dublin, to university and to freedom...
On their first
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day at University College, Dublin, the inseparable pair are thrown together with fellow students Nan Mahon, beautiful but selfish, and handsome Jack Foley. But trouble is brewing for Benny and Eve's new circle of friends, and before long, they find passion, tragedy - and the independence they yearned for. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cherizar
Maeve Binchy breathes a warm, cozy aura into every word - the story of friends who grow up, attend college and stretch into the challenges of freedom, independence and real friendship.
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
When I am in between reads and waiting for the next library "hold" to come in I inevitably turn to Maeve Binchy and I am never disappointed. Her style and structure work perfectly for me. I felt as if I had met some of the characters during my time at school. The storyline was interesting and
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believable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member m.belljackson
What a wonderful old hardback with wildly colorful red poppy end papers echoing the cover!
And, what a different perspective from the dismal Country Girls!
Maeve Binchy creates the exact feelings and behaviors of living in a small Irish country town
and adds humor, as in Benny and Eve's Wise Woman
and with the unwelcome entrance of Fonzie and Clodagh.
Knockglen will be a place to visit again and again, a place where secrets do not dominate the story:
"But it's not a mystery or a crime or anything, is it?" Maybe all three...
Favorite characters were Clodagh, Heather, and Sister Mary Francis.
Plot stretches, which led to the book being overlong, include:
men not using simple birth control after all the women they had enjoyed in their lives
and Eve forgiving Jack for betrayals to her little home and her best friend.
He should have stayed as far away as Nan.
And, I could have lived without "fly cemeteries." blech.
And, what a different perspective from the dismal Country Girls!
Maeve Binchy creates the exact feelings and behaviors of living in a small Irish country town
and adds humor, as in Benny and Eve's Wise Woman
Show More
predictions about the future of their townspeople and with the unwelcome entrance of Fonzie and Clodagh.
Knockglen will be a place to visit again and again, a place where secrets do not dominate the story:
"But it's not a mystery or a crime or anything, is it?" Maybe all three...
Favorite characters were Clodagh, Heather, and Sister Mary Francis.
Plot stretches, which led to the book being overlong, include:
men not using simple birth control after all the women they had enjoyed in their lives
and Eve forgiving Jack for betrayals to her little home and her best friend.
He should have stayed as far away as Nan.
And, I could have lived without "fly cemeteries." blech.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2004)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1990-07-10
ISBN
0712636889 / 9780712636889