Firefly Summer tells the story of the sleepy town of Mountfern, as an American, Patrick O'Brian, comes home to find his roots and build a huge hotel on the ruined location of the old house. It explores the changing relationships of the townsfolk as a tragic accident divides Mountfern. There is not masses of plot in the book; rather, it builds a picture of Irish village life in the 1950s as we spend a few years with the family of Ryans who own the public house.Maeve Binchy's books are incredibly easy reading - a little old-fashioned and incredibly gossipy. We drift into the village of Mountfern, and are gradually introduced to the various people who live in the village. Binchy has such a deft touch in showing each of the characters through random encounters and conversations, so that we are able to discover them without any resort to the dreaded info-dump. It genuinely feels as though a friend is having a coffee with you and telling you about mutual friends' lives.I like the fact that Binchy doesn't flinch away from presenting the horrors of a mundane life - those issues that anyone could be afflicted by, such as adultery, alcoholism and disability. It gives the novel a sense of realism.Binchy's true strength is dialogue and human relationships - she has a unique understanding of women and their friendships.In fact, the only element of the book that I found slightly dissatisfying was the fact that Binchy doesn't show men in the best light. Most of them are having affairs, or beating their wives, or running off to other counties. There are some decent men, but it is extremely noticeable that there are more bad men than good.Binchy is the forerunner of such authors as Sheila O'Flanagan, Patricia Scanlan and Marian Keyes - showcasing Irish life with gentle humour and understanding. I love her books and they are ideal for those times when you require something easy and undemanding. I would recommend these on a winter's afternoon, when you're tucked next to a roaring fire with a hot chocolate - the feel of the novel is exactly right for those moments. Enjoyable.
I bought this book at an impuls at the grocery store, as I liked what was written in the back cover...."Kate and John Ryan have four children, of which the eldest are Michael and Dara. Their small town is peaceful and friendly, an unchanging background for a golden childhood. In long, hot summers Dara and Michael and their friends fish and swim or play in the ivy-clad ruins of Fernscourt, the great house burned down during the Troubles...No one in Mountfern has the slightest inkling of what it will mean when the ruins are bought by Patrick O'Neill, an Irish American with a dream in his heart and a great deal of money in his pocket. It is not until the very end of this drama, with its interlocking stories of loves lost and won, ambitions nurtured and secrets betrayed, that Patrick O'Neill will understand the irony and the significance of his great dream for Mountfern." It's my first book by Maeve Binchy and I really want to read more of her works. She makes characters that feel so real and whose lives you get so wrapped up in. It's like watching a movie when you read this book. Picturing the little town, the pub, the ruin and the people. I've felt the joy and I've shared some tears with the people in the story. Silly, but that's me. I've been reading this book when I've put Endre to bed, and I've sometimes been sitting there reding after he has felt asleep, just to finish a chapter ;)The only thing is that the ending makes me a bit unsatisfied. What happends to Kerry, Dara and Patrick after the fire..?
What do You think about Firefly Summer (2006)?
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book but I surprised myself and did enjoy it.From back cover:"Kate and John Ryan have four children, of which the eldest are Michael and Dara. Their small town is peaceful and friendly, an unchanging background for a golden childhood. In long, hot summers Dara and Michael and their friends fish and swim or play in the ivy-clad ruins of Fernscourt, the great house burned down during the Troubles...No one in Mountfern has the slightest inkling of what it will mean when the ruins are bought by Patrick O'Neill, an Irish American with a dream in his heart and a great deal of money in his pocket. It is not until the very end of this drama, with its interlocking stories of loves lost and won, ambitions nurtured and secrets betrayed, that Patrick O'Neill will understand the irony and the significance of his great dream for Mountfern."
—Louise
These are 3 passages that have given me insight and mean so much to me, but there are so many turns and understandings and insights in EVERY paragraph! of this book. Maeve Binchy is a very perceptive woman who can look from & feel into a multitude million side of angles! like A DIAMOND*Chapter 15, p362: "Dara had become so grown up, (Kate) she was able to talk to her much more freely than before. (...) Before the accident Dara had been a tomboy, dying to get away from the house, to escape any kind of involvement or conversation, sighing at grownup conversation, and flinching away from any confidences."Then starts Part Four which takes up half of the book! I was thinking it might be much to get through but it wasn't.*Chapter 18, p507, after little Maggy has tragically died and Joe's father Barry Conway sets to see to the need of a small coffin....: "His father was short on explanations and excuses. 'What would you like us to do with Maggie? Leave her lying there looking at the sky? (..)' '(..) I don't want to be grown up,' John Joe said. His father give him a long look. 'I know son, it's not the greatest thing in the world being grown up and being in business. But look at the alternative.' For the first time in their lives John Joe Conway and his father looked at each other with something like understanding."*Chapter 21, p636: "Papers was getting old. There was a time when he would take his chances in anyone's shed. His main priority in life was to avoid being organised. But now he found battles hard to fight."
—Berthine
Even though, this was a long book, I didn't find it long winded. I was wondering if there were parts I would cut out, but in all honesty, I don't think there's much that didn't contribute to the story. This is the second book I've read from her, and I will continue to make my way through her novels.She does an amazing job developing her characters. You know them, and you feel their plights. Even though, I figured out the ending as soon as they mentioned there was going to be a hotel build it was still interesting how she went about it. I have no issue recommended this book, or this author, to other people.
—Kaija
