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Published Feb 2017
336 pages
Genre: Short Stories
Publication Information
A Few of the Girls brings together, for the first time, thirty-six of Maeve's very best stories - some published in magazines, others written for friends as gifts, many for charity benefits, all of them filled with her trademark warmth, wisdom, and humor.
Written over a period of decades, these stories show that while times change, people often remain the same: they fall in love, sometimes unsuitably; they experience heartbreak, compassion and redemption; they hold to hopes and dreams; and they have friendships - some that fall apart, and a few special ones that endure. A foreword by her husband, Gordon Snell, offers a privileged, intimate glimpse into the writing process behind her extraordinary work.
First published in hardcover in 2016.
"Binchy's unique voice is reminiscent of a letter from an old friend." - Library Journal
"In true Binchy fashion, these gentle stories revolve around universal themes of love, loyalty, friendship, compassion, and perseverance...Tying all the stories together is, of course, their trademark comfy settings, and devoted fans will relish another armchair visit to Ireland." - Booklist
"Some stories are developed enough to impart quiet wisdom; others, though, are mere sketches, with one-dimensional characters and pat, trite resolutions. The best reflect Binchy's warmhearted sympathy for yearning and regret." - Kirkus
"A short story by Binchy is immediately recognizable for its blessed brevity, swift pace, poignant wit and unfailingly wise and gentle psychology. This posthumously published collection gathers 36 stories from various nook's in Binchy's writing life ... Honestly, every one is marvelous ... A Few of the Girls is a string of gems, and, despite its title, it is not just fiction for women, any more than it is just a book for Irish and English readers." - Pamela Miller, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"There's no better antidote to a raw March evening than a dose of vintage Binchy." - Julie Hale, BookPage
"There are no flashy literary pyrotechnics, just solid, old-fashioned storytelling. Binchy displays a deep understanding of human nature that strikes a balance between idealists and realists, the cynical and the hopeful... A Few of the Girls is a fitting tribute to a beloved and much-missed writer." - Eleanora Buckbee, Everday eBook
"Short stories that thrill, entertain and delight readers like only Binchy can...Without a doubt, Binchy is a masterful storyteller. In this work is a variety of stories that appeal to the heart and mind." - Tmoura Gardener, The Baton Rouge Advocate
"The stories bring to life well-developed characters, often in the space of a few paragraphs, and brim with Maeve's warmth and common sense. She writes particularly well on loneliness, and about the hopes and fears of young people on the cusp of adulthood." - Irish Independent
"This new collection of Maeve's beloved short stories will force you to put down your smartphone in favour of your favourite armchair and this hardback. Featuring some of her best works it is a fine tribute to a very fine author." - Image
"These stories are full of warmth and humour ... easy to read and an ideal present for any of her fans." - Woman's Way
This information about A Few of the Girls was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
maevebinchy.com
Maeve Binchy was born in a small village outside Dublin. She spent her
childhood in Dalkey, an experience she draws on today when creating the
rural villages usually at the heart of her novels. After receiving her B.A.
from University College in Dublin, she began working as a teacher. The
experiences she had while teaching at a Jewish school and on vacation in
Israel compelled her to find work on a kibbutz. While abroad in Israel, she
wrote weekly letters to her father describing life in a country constantly
on the brink of war. When Binchy's father sent one of her letters to The
Irish Times where it was published and earned her £18, Binchy, who had been
making £16 working at the school, thought that she had truly
"arrived."
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