Maeve Binchy is one of the world’s great literary treasures. I’ve never been disappointed with any Binchy book, and Whitethorn Woods is no exception. The fate of beloved St. Ann’s Well, deep within Whitethorn Woods, is ostensibly the central conflict in the story. A proposed highway bi-pass would destroy the lauded site, but improve the economic outlook for rural Rossmore, Ireland. Superficially, this contentious issue is promoted as paramount, as the book opens and closes with the status of this venerated religious grotto, rumored to be the source of answered prayers and a place to lay one’s concerns. However, much like so many of Binchy’s tales, the characters are woven through the main plot, which on the surface seems to be the central component, but as the reader progresses through the narrative, and the cast is revealed, become increasingly authentic and tangled with each other’s lives.Whitethorn Woods features no one individual, nor focuses on any one main character. It would seem perhaps an expected protagonist would be story-opener Father Brian Flynn, whose adversarial regard of St. Ann’s Well places him at odds with many villagers. Although Ireland’s steadfast Catholic population adheres to doctrine, the soul of the island nation is rooted in pagan traditions. Father Flynn’s ongoing struggle to hand-hold his flock, while remaining true to his religious calling sets the stage for a rich and well-developed cast of characters, who are unknowingly connected to each other on a multi-layered and meaningful way. Whitethorn Woods is written in a seemingly off-hand manner, so will appeal to novice readers. The beauty of Binchy’s writing, however is the consistent appeal to more advanced readers, who want to ruminate on a deeper level, after skipping through a daisy field of charming but mature story-telling.
From the time she began writing her novels some 30 years ago, Maeve Binchy has chronicled the changes in Ireland and the life and loves of its people. The once heavily Catholic and superstitious land has become more affluent, has embraced multiculturalism, and is slowly turning its' back on "the old ways". Whitethorn Woods is the next chapter in the narrative of this ever-evolving land and takes us on a wonderful journey into the lives of the citizens and visitors to the towns of Rossmore and Doon. Binchy's initial premise: The consequences of building a new highway through Whitethorn Woods, bypassing the town of Rossmore, and destroying St. Ann's Well, a place thought to possess spiritual power by many of the locals. As with many of her previous works, Binchy has managed to weave the many tiny threads of compelling individual allegories into the beautiful tapestry of a novel. Wonderfully plotted and populated with appealing and engaging characters, the reader is invited into the lives of Father Flynn, amiable Neddy Nolan (a pretty sharp dull knife), Dr. Dermot,(a wily old fox who shows us that jealousy is a dangerous and ugly thing), Lilly Ryan (whose first child was abducted 22 years earlier) and Helen and Becca (a couple of women with dangerous plans). These are only a few of the souls in Rossmore who have a tale to tell and a lesson to teach. Once again, Maeve Binchy has produces an enchanting story that bewitches us with its discerning logic and genuine cast of characters. If your not already a member of the Binchy fan club, this book will have you sending off for your enrollment forms!!
What do You think about Whitethorn Woods (2007)?
Starts with short stories. You don't know whether you should keep track of all of the characters because they all might join up together. Eventually there are so many, and the stories are so short, I stopped caring what happened to any of them. Then they do meet up, but not all of them. I would think of one from the the first half (or I hoped it was the same book, I couldn't keep track of the names!) or a situation would sound familiar and I would realize it's picking up that story. A couple of stories I really wanted resolved were never heard of again. :( exasperating.
—J
Maeve Binchy is one of my favorite writers, though recently she has been letting me down. My last favorite of hers was Scarlett Feather--I cried at the end of that book, and I am not really a book cryer. Not because it was so sad, but because I didnt want the book to end! I felt like the characters were my best friends! In Whitehorn Woods, Binchy continues her quaint Irish story-telling, but for me, I dont love Binchy's books that dedicate each chapter to a new character-she does this alot. Each chapter deals with a new character in this town, where the big to do is that a road is going to be made through to make life easier, meanwhile destroying this well and shrine of the local church that people come and pray to. The story is a little lame and while some of the stories were cute, the Irish charm that I love in the other books was missing. If you want Maeve Binchy at her best pick up Tara Road, Light a Penny Candle, The Glass Lake or Scarlett Feather.
—Emily
Ordinarily, I really enjoy Binchy's way of telling the stories of a group of people in a town or an area and then linking them all up. She does it within books and across books. When I read of people in another book that were mentioned in a previous book, it is as though I am hearing the story of an old friend or of the friends of friends. I think the problem with this book is that there weren't enough link-ups for me. I also found that the stories all had the same voice. Even the ones that were written by an American voice sounded Irish. It wasn't my favorite of Binchy's.
—Michele
