Heart and Soul

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Sile Bermingham

Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

With the insight, humor, and compassion we have come to expect from her, Maeve Binchy tells a story of family, friends, patients, and staff who are part of a heart clinic in a community caught between the old and the new Ireland.

Dr. Clara Casey has been offered the thankless job of establishing the underfunded clinic and agrees to take it on for a year. She has plenty on her plate already - two difficult adult daughters and the unwanted attentions of her ex-husband - but she assembles a wonderfully diverse staff devoted to helping their demanding, often difficult patients.

Before long the clinic is established as an essential part of the community, and Clara must decide whether or not to leave a place where lives are saved, courage is rewarded, and humor and optimism triumph over greed and self-pity. Heart and Soul is Maeve Binchy at her storytelling best.

©2009 Maeve Binchy (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Interweaving the domestic narratives of a dissimilar collection of individuals is beloved Binchy's stock-in-trade, and once again, she does so with sublime ease, inventively engaging readers through a reassuring and persuasive combination of gracious warmth, gentle humor, and genuine affection." ( Booklist)

Not her best

The story was not one of her best. It was pretty predictable. The reader was not up to par either. Sometimes she used an Irish accent and other times it faded. Also, it was read a bit slow. I probably would have like it better in general if it had be read better.

Love Maeve Binchy.

Listening to a Maeve Binchy novel is like making friends. You've gotta love the Irish phrases, so listening to Sile perform is such a pleasure, and the stories Maeve weaves sometimes surprise, and always leave you with a warm feeling.

A Touching Story with Wonderful Characters

As usual, Maeve Binchy has written yet another wonderful story that encompasses some of her past characters and introduces you to new ones you'll enjoy just as much. I can't explain how she does it, but she makes every story funny, interesting and heartfelt. I've never read one of her books that I didn't feel a loss when it came to an end. This particular book takes place at a heart clinic and as usual, the story is woven through the lives of the characters. If you like Maeve Binchy, you won't be disappointed. Let's face it... are we ever? :D

It's not necessary but you may want to read Scarlett Feather and/or Night of Rain and Stars first. That way you will know many of the characters and have a more in depth background of their lives.

Irish novel set in new medical center

Wonderful portrayal of characters interacting while working at a new medical facility, They seem as real as our own personal friends. Dr. Clara Casey must deal w/ two adult daughters living at home, an ex husband and all of her staff at the new clinic.

Not Maeve's best but still a great listen

I can always count on Maeve Binchy's books to be enjoyable listens full of characters and charming narration. This book, while not one of her best, was still fun to listen to though I have preferred other Binchy audiobook narrators over this one.

Characters

She has them sounding like robots, it got very annoying-after a while. Why on earth would she DO that?! Very odd. And Rosemary, something is just OFF with her emphasis on expressions. And her Greek accents are about the same as her Polish accents.

Excruciating Narration

I finished this book, but kept thinking “how much more verbal abuse can I endure?”. Besides the Irish characters, there were several from other countries. Hard for any narrator, but particular difficult for this one who attempted broken accents for each. I’ll give her a cheer for trying, but for me each moment became almost amusing torture.

Not the Best

I agree with all of what other reviewer's have stated. I have not read any other Maeve Binchy books. And after reading these reviews, I wonder why I don't pay more attention to them beforehand.

The story as uneven. Many, many characters. It goes into detail about this priest's situation even though I would not have considered him a main character. The detail about Anya, even with her being more of a main character, went on for far too long. The twin's travels to Greece adding nothing to Fiona's issues, and it should have. Even more importantly, I do NOT get why the twins had to sond like robots!? The obnoxious woman had a role that should have been more suited to the mother of the bride or groom.

Altogether the narration was odd. As said, sometimes it was Irish, sometimes it was not. It did get confusing. The Polish was too thick. I did not find it easy to distinguish between the characters, but that was partly because there were too many.

Listen if you want, but I would not put mch stock into it. It makes me wonder if I should try another one of this author's books. Definitely I will avoid the nrrator.

Totally enjoyable!

This book was captivating and the plot and characters were engaging. Would definitely recommend it!

Nice story - horrible narration.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend reading the book, but not listening to it.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Sile Bermingham?

Barbara Caruso should have narrated this novel.

Any additional comments?

I love Maeve Binchy, and while this is not her strongest novel, I did enjoy the story and hearing from her other characters. The narrator choosing to read the twins as automatons is inexcusable. Listen to Barbara Caruso read them - they are loveable and quirky.. The way Sile Bermingham reads them is worse than annoying.