Whitethorn Woods

Whitethorn Woods

by Maeve Binchy

3.55 out of 5 (20 ratings)

Format:
Paperback 
Pages:
464 
Publisher:
Orion Publishing Co 
Publication Date:
27 June 2007 
Category:
Modern & Contemporary 
ISBN:
9780752881478 

Description

The town of Rossmore is a special place, full of character and charm. Nestled beside the Whitethorn Woods, the town has grown since the days when it was small and friendly and everyone knew everyone else. But it still has the woods, with the well dedicated to St Ann, where generations have come to pray or make wishes or just to look back at the pretty little town. Which is why there is going to be such a fuss about the plans for the new road, cutting through Whitethorn Woods. The people of Rossmore are divided. No one is more concerned than the curate, Father Brian Flynn, who has no idea which faction to support. Surely Neddy Nolan's family should take the compensation being offered for their land? But wasn't Neddy's mother given a cure at the well many years ago? And what about the childless London woman who came to Whitethorn Woods begging the saint for help, with unexpected consequences?

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Showing 1-4 out of 22 reviews. Previous | Next

  • Whitethorn Woods is a fascinating story. It may sound boring on paper--a story about residents of an Irish town that is home to a special well. However, this book is anything but boring! The people of Rossmore, Ireland pray to St. Ann's Well for healings, blessings, and relationship advice. As they pray, their lives are opened to the readers. These are the stories of everyday men and women who are looking for acceptance, love, and joy. Intrique and humor permeates this whole novel which cleverly links many of the characters together. You will definitely laugh out loud many times reading this book.The ending is perfect and settles the story well. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Irish living or really just anyone who wants to laugh and laugh! :)

    5.00 out of 5

    RoseMarion

  • A proposed highway through the quiet Irish town of Rossmore will mean the destruction of St. Ann's Well - a shrine supposed to deliver healing, husbands and other miracles - located in Whitethorn Woods. The shrine is located in Father Brian Flynn's parish, St Augustine's.As a fracas erupts between the people who want the highway and believers who want the shrine preserved, Fr. Flynn finds himself in the middle of the issue not sure where he stands in an increasingly secular Ireland. He goes to the shrine to pray to God to show him what position is right. What follows are the stories of Neddy Nolan, a not so simple mentally challenged man, 60-something Vera who finds love on a trip meant for much younger people and James, whose wife of 26 years is dying.Linked into these stories are stories of mental illness, alcoholism, incest, greed, the joys of being single and struggles of career women. The good and bad sides of people are shown. I really liked this book although it was a simple plot. It was sweet and endearing anyway. I give it an A+!

    5.00 out of 5

    moonshineandrosefire

  • A proposed highway through the quiet Irish town of Rossmore will mean the destruction of St. Ann's Well - a shrine supposed to deliver healing, husbands and other miracles - located in Whitethorn Woods. The shrine is located in Father Brian Flynn's parish, St Augustine's.As a fracas erupts between the people who want the highway and believers who want the shrine preserved, Fr. Flynn finds himself in the middle of the issue not sure where he stands in an increasingly secular Ireland. He goes to the shrine to pray to God to show him what position is right. What follows are the stories of Neddy Nolan, a not so simple mentally challenged man, 60-something Vera who finds love on a trip meant for much younger people and James, whose wife of 26 years is dying.Linked into these stories are stories of mental illness, alcoholism, incest, greed, the joys of being single and struggles of career women. The good and bad sides of people are shown. I really liked this book although it was a simple plot. It was sweet and endearing anyway. I give it an A+!

    5.00 out of 5

    rosefireandmoonshine

  • Maeve Binchy is probably one of my favorite authors. I really love the way she manages to tell these lovely stories about random people. It always makes for a relaxing and engaging read. This one is set, like many of her others, in a small Irish town. It is actually a swag of short stories about different people and what the thoughts and connections are with this small town and it's peculiar shrine to St Ann - even ones so far away as America. Each chapter is titled and then includes two people's stories - connected to eachother - telling a story from entirely different perspectives. Many of the stories were cheerful or poignant and made me smile. A couple were not so happy endings, and a couple were totally random! All in all the book made me really smile which is what Maeve Binchy's books always do, which is why I love them so much. Read it. It's lovely.

    5.00 out of 5

    Carms_k

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