Circle of Friends

A Novel

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Fionnula Flanagan

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, 2 inseparable young Irish women, growing up in the village of Knockglen. Benny, an only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents and Eve, an orphan, abandoned to be raised by nuns, seemed an unlikely pair. Together, Eve and Benny knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.

The pair becomes a circle when Benny and Eve leave for university in Dublin, and meet beautiful Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, a doctor's handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a...Circle Of Friends.

©1991 Maeve Binchy (P)1991 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[An] irresistible invitation to share the lives of people who believe in enduring values.” (Detroit Free Press)

“A rare pleasure... at terrific tale, told by a master storyteller.” (Susan Isaacs, The New York Times Book Review)

“Circle of Friends welcomes you in.” (The Washington Post)

don't waste your time

The recording of this book is so poorly done. It's scratchy with horrible music drowning out the narrator half the time.

An excellent book, but ...

This is one of my favorite books, and I couldn't find the audio version anywhere but here. The audio would be perfect but the sound quality is the lowest possible. This audio tape only came out in 1999 - I wonder why they weren't able to clean it up any more than that?
I still bought and enjoyed it, though - just be aware it's got really poor quality audio.

Terrible Sound Quality

What disappointed you about Circle of Friends?

I have read this story in book form several times and I love it. The audio version? Terrible. The sound quality is a disaster. I stopped it after five minutes. I had to strain to hear it.

dreadful recording

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I adore the story, but the book was largely inaudible.

What didn’t you like about Fionnula Flanagan’s performance?

I couldn't hear her properly due to the poor quality of the recording. Absolutely shocking

Good Book - TERRIBLE audio!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I cannot wait to ask Audible to give me my credit back. This recording is truly horrible! Read the book, watch the film or better yet...RERECORD the audio. Plus, the abridged version of the story lack serious continuity. What a shame.

What did you like best about this story?

Ireland

How could the performance have been better?

record it in this century!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

really?

Terrible audio

The story is wonderful, but the quality of the audio is terrible. It's hard to hear, muffled and staticky at times.

Sound Tech Screws up!

I love Maeve Binchy Stories but the music background and the recording of voices made it almost impossible to understand! I'm thankful I had read the story previously! That has NOT been the case w/other Maeve Binchy Books on Audible.
R in SA

TERRIBLE NARATION - OMG I'm gonna fall asleep!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better Narrator - Less monotone, more voices. No Music. Clearer recording.

Would you recommend Circle of Friends to your friends? Why or why not?

I would not recommend the audio version, but I think it is a great story to read with your eyes.

Would you be willing to try another one of Fionnula Flanagan’s performances?

Absolutely NOT!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It is a good story.

Any additional comments?

This audio recording sounds awful! The voice is muffled, they used really distracting terrible music in the background, but it is so loud in places that you can't understand the narrator. If you are looking for a book that will lull you to sleep at night, then look no farther! While this is a great book (I have read it before) the narration & soundtrack absolutely destroy it!

Abridged version disjointed

I’ve read this book and it was delightful. Unfortunately this audio version was very disappointing. It is an abridged version of the original and very disjointed with abrupt transitions. So much detail is left out it felt lifeless and forced. I can’t recommend this audio version.

Muffled sound

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Being able to understand the audio presentation.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Surprise. I thought there would be more to the ending.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Fionnula Flanagan?

No opinion.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

After discussing this book with my Book Club, we thought some of the audio book was deleted.

Disappointed

Really dull to be honest. Very disappointing. Story sort of fizzled out into nothing.