Firefly Summer [Paperback]

Maeve Binchy (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, Limited (1991)
• ISBN-10: 0340428023
• ISBN-13: 978-0340428023
• ASIN: B001KRQW8Q
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Maeve Binchy is the author of numerous best-selling books, including Nights of Rain and Stars, Quentins, Scarlet Feather, Circle of Friends, and Tara Road, which was an Oprah's Book Club selection. She has written for Gourmet; O, The Oprah Magazine; Modern Maturity; and Good Housekeeping, among other publications. She and her husband, Gordon Snell, live in Dalkey, Ireland, and London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, sweet and powerful, February 17, 1999

By 

Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Firefly Summer (Paperback)

I have been on a Binchy marathon for the past nine months which has culminated with this novel, Firefly Summer. Let me tell you, this book was utterly fantastic. The story of Mountfern touched me from the very beginning when the kids learned their "special place", the burned remains of an old, once powerful mansion, would be rebuilt. Because of this, their entire world changed. Maeve Binchy spins a wonderful Irish yarn that takes a surprising plot twist at the end. If you liked The Glass Lake or Light a Penny Candle, this book is definitely for you. I can't stop raving about it!!!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Binchy's best work, February 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Firefly Summer (Paperback)

I am a HUGE fan of Maeve Binchy. She and Rosamunde Pilcher are my two favorite authors and I have read many, if not most of their works. This was definitely not my favorite. The book was engaging enough but also a very depressing read. One tragedy after another took place and at the end I could not honestly say that I enjoyed reading it. Oh yes, I enjoyed reading the descriptives and the interactions between the people of the sleepy town of Mountfern because Binchy just has a way of drawing you in. But, although the writing was good, the content was sad and depressing. I wish more good things would have happened.

The ending was incredulous. I could not believe so many things were left hanging. It was as if after nearly 700 pages she just decided to be done after only a moment's thought. There was absolutely no closure between the characters or storylines whatsoever. There was no sigh of contentment upon reading the last page and closing the book. There was just a sigh.

Almost always I finish Binchy's books with a yearning for more, sad that the story has ended and I can no longer be apart of the lives she has written about. This was not the case with this book.

For a truly excellent read I would highly recommend Circle of Friends (I think her best work), The Glass Lake or The Copper Beech.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging tale, May 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Firefly Summer (Paperback)

I've read BETTER books by Maeve Binchy (Glass LAke, Circle of Friends) -- but still this book was un-put-downable! The characters were engaging and the story was interesting -- it just got a bit draggy at the end -- but it was worth the read