Whitethorn Woods

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Various

“WHITETHORN WOODS is Binchy’s best read in a decade . . . Few contemporary novelists match Binchy’s gift for giving us the world through her characters’ eyes.”
–The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Maeve Binchy once again brings us an enchanting book full of the wit, warmth, and wisdom that have made her one of the most beloved and widely read writers at work today.
When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, everyone has a passionate opinion about whether the town will benefit or suffer. But young Father Flynn is most concerned with the fate of St. Ann’s Well, which is set at the edge of the woods and slated for destruction. People have been coming to St. Ann’s for generations to share their dreams and fears, and to speak their prayers. Some believe it to be a place of true spiritual power, demanding protection; others think it’s a mere magnet for superstitions, easily sacrificed.
Not knowing which faction to favor, Father Flynn listens to all those caught up in the conflict, and these are the voices we hear in the stories of Whitethorn Woods–men and women deciding between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future, ordinary people brought vividly to life by Binchy’s generosity and empathy, and in the vivacity and surprise of her storytelling.
Maeve Binchy is at the very top of her form in this irresistible tale.

Fabulous book

This is a wonerful book--rich, diverse character portraits delicately interwoven. It reads almost like a collection of short stories. I have listened to most of it several times, catching nuances I missed the first time around. The narration is also well done. Don't pass this one up!

keep writing, Maeve, please!

I'm already on my 3rd listen to this interwoven delightful telling of people's lives and desires. Maeve Binchy is up there with my all-time favorite writers, and I'm always sad to reach the end of her novels, though they always hold heart-warming content and marvelous vignettes. I can't recommend a better peek into conditions in today's Ireland. I was well ready for last summer's visit to London and Dublin after listening to Maeve's recorded pieces of contemporary fiction. Excellent narration does justice to her work in this high-quality recording.

Loved it!

This was wonderful. I found myself watching how much time was left because I hated for it to end. I love Binchy, have read all of her books. I wasn't sure I would like this because of the format but it was delightful.

Not my favorite Binchy

The stories seems disjointed and some of them, even at the conclusion, still appear to be entirely pointless (and disturbing!). Probably my least fave Binchy of all.

Not a Favorite

I have read two other books by this author and liked both. I wish I could say the same about this one. It was somewhat interesting which was why I gave it 3 stars but I have to say that most of the time I didn't care much about these people. I would have rather had more main story and less individual character development/personal stories. The only reason I stuck this one out to the end was because I had paid for it.