Product Description
When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, it will also destroy St. Ann’s well, where people have been coming for generations to share their dreams and speak their prayers. Some believe the well to be a place of true spiritual power, demanding protection; others think it’s a mere magnet for superstitions, easily sacrificed. Maeve Binchy creates a rich spectrum of men and women, all with passionate opinions, who are drawn into this timely conflict between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 85 reviews)

Not her best

I've read several of her books, and this one was not my favorite. It was very disjointed despite some recurring characters and the ever-present well. I kept thinking she would tie things together, but it never happened to the fullest potential. It was still an enjoyable read, but I was left a little unsatisfied when I finsihed the final page.
August 08, 2008

traditions change, too

Binchy's characters are so intensely real, it take a while to realize each person also represents a social layer and each person's choice also implies a political truth. The vivid personalities capture you as they gather into a community of individuals doing their work or committing their crime in the best way they know how. They tell their stories as oral histories, and when you are included in someone else's story, later on you get to have your own say. That's how it would have been in front of the Druid, in the old way. But now that everything from haircuts to wealth is turning modern, these stories show how hard it can be to decide whether the old ways still apply.
July 13, 2008

Not my favorite Binchy

While I always love Maeve Binchy's portrayal of Ireland, there were too many disjointed characters in this book of short stories. The character development wasn't as good as most of her books (many characters seemed to speak from the same voice), and in some stories the common link, St Ann's Well, seemed pasted in to justify their presence in the book.

For a great book of Binchy stories with her usual excellent character development that weave together well, try The Lilac Bus.
June 10, 2008

Heartwarming, Enjoyable Read

I don't know how she does it, but Maeve Binchy always impresses me with her tales from far away lands. She always has interesting, intertwining storylines with characters we either love or love to hate. This story also gave the most unlikely guy the best revenge in the end. This is a real page turner that kept me up late many nights...I couldn't help to read quickly because I wanted to see what would happen next and yet sad when it was done.

I highly recommend this book and Nights of Rain and Stars!
May 28, 2008

A Very Good Read

I have taken note of all the good reviews that "Whitethorn Woods" has received here and elsewhere and this is actually the first book by Maeve Binchy that I have read.

The story of a small town called Rossmore and the allegedly holy well together with the new bypass road threatening to destroy the well while potentially transforming the place form the background to the extraordinary way many people's interdependent lives and hopes are displayed. The author superbly addresses questions and themes like religiosity, trust, family, immigration, progress and much more, and does this brilliantly through characters you come across everyday and may even relate yourself.

I am of the opinion that therein lies the greatest strength of the book to have an appeal for a long time to come. This is a solid 5-star book I recommend to the avid reader without any reservations.

May 10, 2008

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The Return Journey
by Maeve Binchy

Body Surfing: A Novel
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Family Tree
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This Year It Will Be Different
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Echoes
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