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Echoes by Maeve Binchy
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Echoes (original 1985; edition 1997)

by Maeve Binchy (Author)

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1,6882010,230 (3.59)48
Growing up in a small seaside town in the 1950s, Clare O'Brien and David Power shout their hearts' desires into the echo cave, praying that their destiny will lead them far away from Castlebay, the town in which they live. Years later they meet again in Dublin, where David is studying medicine and Clare has won a scholarship to University College. But eventually Castlebay will draw them back and it is against a backdrop of empty grey skies, sea-spray and wind that this drama of ambition, betrayal and love finally reaches it turbulent conclusion.… (more)
Member:MHanover10
Title:Echoes
Authors:Maeve Binchy (Author)
Info:Dell (1997), Edition: Reprint, 496 pages
Collections:Your library, Currently reading, Wishlist, To read, Read but unowned, Favorites
Rating:****
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Echoes by Maeve Binchy (1985)

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» See also 48 mentions

English (16)  Spanish (2)  Dutch (2)  All languages (20)
Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
I really enjoy Binchy's stories set in small Irish villages and the way she depicts the conservative, insular Irish culture changing through the years (in this case, the 1940s-1960s). Because this is one of her earlier books, it's a more cohesive story, not a series of connected character studies (the way, say, [Copper Beech] is) in which we see the same events through the eyes of different characters.

The main characters — 10-year-old Clare O'Brien, daughter of a shopkeeper, and 15-year-old David Power, only child of the local doctor and his rather snooty wife — are appealing and easy to root for from the start, though events that happen toward the end of this (long!) novel put them in a different light. And as usual, Binchy populates Castlebay with a winning assortment of secondary characters, from the playboy Gerry Doyle to Father Flynn to teacher Angela O'Hara, who sees something of herself in Clare that makes her the girl's fierce champion in her goals to attain a proper education.

The ending, though ... oof. I don't remember thinking much of it when I first read this as a twentysomething, but today? It's hard not to want David strung up by the twig-and-berries for the infidelity he so casually excuses with "my wife just had a baby and is no long focused exclusively on me and my sexual needs". Just, no. ( )
  rosalita | Feb 15, 2021 |
A nice read about life in a small Irish town which is so religious. Liked until the ending which was a way to end the story but not the way I felt it should end. Truly loved the characters Angela, Father Flynn, and Dr. Power as so deeply caring about people and their feelings. ( )
  kshydog | Dec 13, 2020 |
This has been my least favorite of Binchy's books so far, mostly because of the ending. The characterizations are good and so is the setting, but I guess the truth is that the characters' choices drove me crazy and what I thought would be a nice heartwarming sort of book ended up being depressing. ( )
  aurelas | Dec 23, 2016 |
A good Maeve Bincy book. I had read it before. Parts were vaguely familiar. I was a little disappointed by the ending. ( )
  nx74defiant | Dec 23, 2016 |
A saga style of novel set in an Irish coastal town, featuring a group of people as they grow up and discover life and love.

Pleasant, and well-written, but nothing special. I enjoyed re-reading it, but didn't feel close to any of the characters. I'd have given three-and-a-half stars if I could... ( )
  SueinCyprus | Jan 26, 2016 |
Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (3 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Maeve Binchyprimary authorall editionscalculated
Binchy, KateReadersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Flatt, MelCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Prologue:People seemed to know without being told.
Part One: It was sometimes called Brigid's Cave, the echo cave, and if you shouted your question loud enough in the right direction you got an answer instead of an echo.
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Growing up in a small seaside town in the 1950s, Clare O'Brien and David Power shout their hearts' desires into the echo cave, praying that their destiny will lead them far away from Castlebay, the town in which they live. Years later they meet again in Dublin, where David is studying medicine and Clare has won a scholarship to University College. But eventually Castlebay will draw them back and it is against a backdrop of empty grey skies, sea-spray and wind that this drama of ambition, betrayal and love finally reaches it turbulent conclusion.

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