A Week in Winter

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another. When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy. Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions.

Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling.

©2013 Maeve Binchy (P)2013 Random House Audio

Excellent story in true Marve Binchy fashion

What did you love best about A Week in Winter?

A good all around book.

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

We'll read, you could feel like you were there.

Any additional comments?

A very good book, well read, enjoyable to listen to.

classic Binchy

Would you listen to A Week in Winter again? Why?

I would listen to it again as it is her last book and Rosalynd had a great voice!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved all the characters especially Ms Star!

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice and expression help you relate to the characters

Typical Maeve Binchy style

I’ve been reading books by Maeve Bunche for years. Each character is well developed. Empathy for each is easily achieved I always find them to be beautiful and relaxing reads.

In this tale, she introduces each character then brings them together for one week at a beautiful Inn in Ireland. Makes you wish you were sitting around the dinner table with them and part of the festivities.

Excellent building of plot but...

The plot build up was great but the last chapter was poor. It ended abruptly.

Another keeper

Would you try another book from Maeve Binchy and/or Rosalyn Landor?

I have listened to numerous stories by Binchy. She has a pleasant world she describes.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I wanted to hear more about the main character Queenie and her hotel. It segued off to a story of each guest and got a bit contrived...

What aspect of Rosalyn Landor’s performance would you have changed?

nothing

Did A Week in Winter inspire you to do anything?

not really

Any additional comments?

I love this writer. She has a great way of telling an easy and enjoyable story

So good, planning a trip to Ireland

What made the experience of listening to A Week in Winter the most enjoyable?

I loved the narration and the whole story. I was pleasantly surprised how the story unfolded and it was like a wheel and each persons story was a spoke in the wheel. I have now planned a trip to visit this part of Ireland and take my mother to join me with my daughters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Week in Winter?

I enjoyed the story of the married couple who were doctors the best.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I actually listened to this book three times while I drove to work this past winter.

fun

the characters rapped themselves around you comming together with a very enjoyable conclusion.
I highly recommend.

nice easy listen

kept me interested in my daily commute. looked forward to picking up where I left off

Emotional Journey

Maeve Binchy has never failed to please me. She was a master at character development and her works will always be among my favorites. The narration by Rosalyn Landor was impeccable! I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and highly recommend it to anyone who loves books that leave them wanting more when they end.

A great pleasure read!

I so enjoyed the storylines in this book. There are so many stories told that I listened to it twice so I could savor the tales of all the lives told. I might play it again, just for the sheer pleasure.