9. Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy (2006)
Length: 432 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 2 February 2010
Finished: 9 February 2010
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 November 2009
Why do I have it? I like Maeve Binchy as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.
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+!
A+! – (96-100%)
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Moonshine and Rosefire 