Circle of Friends (edition 2007)

From the "Rather Random Bookbox".

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. ( )

This was a book that has been sitting on my shelf forever. It's probably one of my oldest TBR's. I'm glad I finally picked it up and read it. It was a wonderful book, which at times I couldn't put down.

The book was well told and well written. Binchy's writing talent was extraordinary, as she managed to carry the story and the characters throughout, taking her time to flesh out her characters and their stories. Her story on friendship, and the ups and downs that come with it, was truly amazing, I did think that I would become bored with the book because I thought the length of the book may cause the book to drag on, but that never happened, as it ended up being a well done and well told story.

The characters do leave an impression on you. Benny and Eve are definitely two characters that will be remembered by me, along with their friendship they built. There were some aspects of the book that were a bit predictable, especially Nan's story line. I had her figured out from the start. She was also the most unlikeable character in the book. Which was also a good thing, because Binchy did a fantastic job at creating her.

It may be a book that was slow moving, but that's part of what made it so great, as it takes time to tell the story and explore some fantastic characters.

Also found on my book review blog Jules' Book Reviews - Circle of Friends ( )

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 disappointed. The book is even better than the movie and I know I will read it again and again through the years. ( )

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 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. ( )