I was almost really enjoying this book UNTIL the last twenty pages when the main characters went totally "out of character", the ending felt rushed and disjointed, and the story became unexpectedly and unbelievably ridiculous. I was so disappointed that I felt I had wasted good reading time with this book. It is Binchy's debut novel so I blame her publisher for not helping her to a better ending.The story begins in 1940 when Elizabeth White's parents, George and Violet, send her to Kilgarret, Ireland to escape the blitz in London. She is an only child, scared and timid with no confidence in herself, and she is thrust into a new country, a new culture, and a boisterous new family with many children. Eileen and Sean O'Connor willingly take in this child and raise her as one of their own. They have a daughter, Aisling, who is the same age as Elizabeth. They soon form a close friendship. After five years living in this rich family life, Elizabeth returns home to England a much more confident young woman with a sense of independence. Upon returning home Elizabeth discovers that her parents are barely surviving a troubled marriage and soon after her mother leaves. Elizabeth then pursues a career in art while working in an antique shop. Thru the shop she meets Johnny Stone who she falls in love with. He, on the other hand, just uses her, is elusive, and won't commit to anything. What this book calls irresistible I call childish and immature.Back in Ireland, Aisling eventually marries into a wealthy family. Unbeknownst to Aisling, her new husband, Tony Murray, is an alcoholic and the new marriage is never consummated. The people in Kilgarret all ignore alcoholism and tell her it is her duty to stick by her husband. Later, after Tony beats her in a drunken rage, she leaves him and goes to London to begin a new life. After Elizabeth has given up on Johnny and sees him for who he is, she marries Henry Mason. Aisling intrigued by the devil-may-care Johnny falls in love with him with Elizabeth's reluctant blessing.This is not a plot driven story - it more the trials and tribulations of two young women who keep in constant communication throughout the years and are there for each other. The story ends in 1960 with Elizabeth and Aisling recollecting their past and contemplating their future. I understand Binchy gets better, so I will not give up and will read another of her books some day.
I was pretty disappointed in this book overall. It starts off well, and I was at first enjoying it a lot. But though the writing has energy and drive, the themes never are really given their due, the characters are introduced and barely slip out of a form character for the rest of the novel (which is meant to be 20 years of their lives), there isn't really any consequences to their actions, and I felt like the whole things was a bit shallow. But rather than being totally negative I'll note the two things I did like: Elizabeth White as a child was stronger. Mostly because we were able to see her adapt to a new country, family, and culture and see her change there—which doesn't happen at all in the rest of the novel, and when Eileen changes her mind about her daughter's separation from her husband it doesn't seem anyone cares anyway. And the relationship between the strong independent woman when Aisling moves to London. Though I totally saw Aisling and Johnny's relationship coming, I did like that she has Aisling ending the book as single, childless, but content and willing to duke it out in the tough streets on London rather than returning to her familial Irish tough. But otherwise the book fell flat for me. And in particular the male characters. Only the Irish men has something there. Johnny, meant to be so seductive, is just boring and juvenile. Didn't do it for me.
What do You think about Light A Penny Candle (2006)?
"Light a Penny Candle" was one of those novels whose ending wrecked what came before, so I liked it until the ending. I liked the characters' distinct personalities and lives, and I've always liked books that change perspective every so often. (Some parts were told from the point of view of the main character Elizabeth, and others were told from the point of view of her friend, Aisling.) I don't necessarily recommend this book, but I wouldn't discourage someone from reading it, either, although I would warn them about the ending!
—Sarah
I first read this book almost 20 years ago - and loved it then as a teenager. So when I saw a copy in a second hand bookshop for $1 I had to buy it. Often when you return to an old favourite they have somehow shrunk with time but not this. MB is like putting on a comfortable cardie on a cold day and reminds me of hours spent reading in an armchair in our house which was tucked away out of site and where I could lose myself in a book for hours on end. This was one of her first and although her books are often derided for being too formulaic - there are times when you need not to think too hard and enjoy the story. For that reason alone she deserves a place in your library as a treasured and reliable friend.
—Cb
Evacuated from Blitz-battered London, shy and genteel Elizabeth White is sent to stay with the boisterous O’Connors in Kilgarret, Ireland. It is the beginning of an unshakeable bond between Elizabeth and Aisling O’Connor, a friendship that will endure through twenty turbulent years of change and chaos, joy and sorrow, soaring dreams and searing betrayals. Through those years of friendship Aisling and Elizabeth wind in and out of each other’s lives. As they grow, fall in love, through happy times and disappointments, they come to realize that not all troubles will be solved, nor all wishes granted by lighting a penny candle.I first read Light a Penny Candle years ago when I was a teenager, it was the first Maeve Binchy book I read and by far my favorite, and through the years I have re-read it several times. I have read all of Binchy’s books, most are what I would call “easy reads” – light hearted and warm but a bit predictable. However when I recently read Light a Penny Candle again and remembered why I loved it so much and I still find myself completely immerse in the story.The characters are well written and strong; the story is one of friendship and the growth, struggle and joys that happen along the way. Maeve Binchy paints a glorious story of the lives and loves of two women bound together by friendship. I felt as though I was right alongside Aisling and Elizabeth in Ireland watching them grow into adulthood and confront family conflicts, love affairs, and failed marriages. The story evolves over 1940s to 1960s, and illuminates the stifling lack of privacy typical of small-town life.The only thing I disliked was the abrupt ending – it left me thirsting for more (a sign of a good book if you ask me), I wanted to know what happened to Aisling and Elizabeth after the book ended.Over the years, each time I would reached for a new Maeve Binchy book I found myself thinking of the girls of “Light a Penny Candle” where were they nao and how were they doing. I still have my original book (I got it from a church book swap) – it is old, tattered, and worn, but opening up its pages brings me home to a place I feel happy and comfortable, home to Kilgarret!http://mjcod.wordpress.com/
—Megan Odonoghue
