Heart and Soul

OK, it's not great literature and the cosiness of all these rapidly forming bonds is a bit fantastical, but you'll be warmed from the inside out. A great bonus is catching up with glimpses of characters from several previous Binchy novels including Whitethorn Woods, Scarlet Feather, Nights of Rain and Stars, and my personal favourite: Evening Class. Most other MB audiobooks are narrated by her cousin Kate, who does a terrific job, but I got used to this narrator after a bit. If you're a Binchy-phile, you'll like this one.

This is an interesting tale with many characters, some good, some bad, many with a range of frailties, but all viewed with a humorous and kindly eye. The various strands of the story are all brought together in the end in a neat package.

Maeve Binchy did it again by writing another heartwarming tale about the staff and patients of a Dublin heart clinic. As always, many of the characters from previous books are back to take us along on another part of their journey. The narration is, to my ears, perfect. Maureen O'Brien makes a gallery of characters come alive with her beautiful, rich voice.
It is always pure pleasure to spend time with Maeve Binchy and all her friends.

When you are after a feel good story, this is it. Maeve Binchy captures modern family life in Ireland with interesting and varied characters some woven in from her previous novels. If you don't know them it doesn't take away from this story. There are themes that will ring a bell for different readers such as hard working conservative parents who are mystified by their teenage children whose values are quite different to theirs and the theme of sharp Irish humour. Romance and successful overcoming of problems runs through this entertaining story. I did enjoy it. Recommended if you want a light read with a happy ending.