WhitethornWoods

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#WhitethornWoods #MaeveBinchy

New highway threatens to bypass Rossmore and Whitethorn Woods where people share their hopes, dreams and prayers at St. Anne‘s Well. The people need to decide between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future. I enjoy all Binchy‘s books as I find her characters and stories fascinating. Binchy is a gifted storyteller and I enjoy visiting all the Irish villages in her novels. Recommended!

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, Andrew65, ljuliel

Andrew65 Overall enjoyable but not my favourite by Maeve Binchy, too short storyish. 5y

EadieB @Andrew65 The short stories are not my favorite either but I still find the characters interesting. 5y

Andrew65 @EadieB Yes, always interesting characters. 5y

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JacqMac I agree. I usually hate short stories. But her character development makes up for a lot, so it was an OK for me. lol 5y

EadieB @JacqMac These short stories are a little different as they center around a common theme of St. Anne's Well and the bypass. 5y

JacqMac @EadieB That‘s true. I also really This Year It Will Be Different, which is all short stories. She‘s just about the only author who‘s short stories I enjoy. 5y

EadieB @JacqMac I haven't read that book but I do own it. 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 6 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I like the format of this book the best as I find all the characters interesting and there is always some type of theme with all the short stories which I like too. 5y

ljuliel I‘ll have to disagree on this one. I like Binchy‘s books, but she has a few that are written like this, telling the stories of multiple characters a piece at a time. I find it disjointed and harder to follow what‘s going on. I like her other books that start with a main set of characters that she carries throughout the story. Thank you Andrew, for leading the discussion. Great job. 👏🏻 👏🏻 5y

JacqMac There are so many characters sometimes it‘s hard to remember who everyone is. I‘m normally not a fan of short stories. And this was so much like short stories. But Maeve‘s character development is so great that she manages to keep me interested. It‘s not my favourite format, but she pulled it all together enough for me to enjoy it. 5y

Tove_Reads I could not stand the way the book was written. These could have been inserts in a weekly magazine. Too many characters not having anything to do with each other. The stories are too short. I think this is taking the easy way out, not really having to even write a book, just extremely short stories, and then publish them as a ‘novel‘. 5y

rubyslippersreads I prefer the books that follow just a few characters through the entire book, like Light A Penny Candle and Circle of Friends. But I really enjoyed the discussion, as I have all our Binchy reads. Thanks, @Andrew65 ! 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 5 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I thought Neddy was trying to get the best deal for the property. He was being a bit unfaithful by not telling Claire what he was up to. 5y

ljuliel I guess I had a soft spot for Neddy in a way, since he wasn‘t maybe quite as sharp about life and making proper decisions or explaining why he was doing what he thought best. I‘m not sure I‘d call it being unfaithful if he didn‘t function as well mentally . Therefore, he looked at things in a more simple manner. (edited) 5y

JacqMac I didn‘t think he was being unfaithful. I did worry for a bit that he was making a big mistake. 5y

rubyslippersreads I couldn‘t imagine Neddy being unfaithful but, like @JacqMac , I was concerned he might be taken advantage of. 5y

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Andrew65

George Whitefield's Journals | George Whitefield

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 4 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I was a little surprised that the bail money was given with conditions. It wasn't Kit's property to sell as Neddy got Kit to sign papers that he relinquishes all his rights to the property in exchange for the bail money. 5y

ljuliel Agree once again. Eadie is nailing all the answers ! 5y

JacqMac I was so proud of Neddy. He really thought ahead. And he truly exceeded everyone‘s expectations. 5y

rubyslippersreads Kit has been a rat since the beginning of the book, so I wasn‘t surprised. 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 3 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB Laurence needs to let Caroline do what she wants to do. Sometimes taking care of the house etc. is just not enough to make a woman feel like a real person. Some women need to experience the working world in order to make them feel whole. Laurence needs to support Caroline in whatever she needs to do to make herself feel complete. Otherwise Caroline could hold a grudge and their relationship could fall apart. 5y

ljuliel Perfectly said, Eadie. I agree. Being a housewife isn‘t exactly a fulfilling career. Ask me. 👎🏼 5y

JacqMac I love being a housewife. But I know lots of women who need more or different. Laurence seemed very selfish to me. He put himself over her happiness. 5y

rubyslippersreads As I said in my previous comment, Laurence is selfish and doesn‘t want Carolyn to have any interests except taking care of him. 5y

8 likes4 comments

Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 2 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I think it's best to have at least 2 children as it is really easier when you have 2 or more as you don't have to entertain the children as much as the 2 children will entertain each other. 5y

ljuliel It‘s probably a bit more challenging to only have 1 , to raise them so they‘re not spoiled rotten. It‘d be too tempting to give them everything they ask for and you‘d probably want to do that if you only had 1. Plus it might be hard to be an only child. Lots of expectations because you‘re the only one that can fulfill your parent‘s hopes and dreams. (edited) 5y

JacqMac I always said no child deserves to be an only child. It‘s a lot of pressure. Not just when they are little, but when they are grown and have parents to deal with. I like having my brother to carry some of the load. Even though he isn‘t that great at it. Lol I imagine it might be a little lonely, too. 5y

Tove_Reads It‘s up to the parents and people raising the child. There might be many reasons behind having one child and these reasons are not others concern. I think it‘s absolutely no ones business to question other people‘s choices in this matter. 5y

rubyslippersreads I think in this case, it‘s because Laurence is so selfish, he‘s jealous of even his own children taking up Carolyn‘s attention. Once their son went off to boarding school, he thought he‘d have her complete attention again. 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Final Discussion.

Question 1 of 6

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I think they need to confront their partner and ask them what is going on. Pretending that it isn't happening if just burying you head in the sand. You need to find out if your marriage can be restored or move on. 5y

ljuliel I agree with Eadie. Honestly is the best policy. That‘s the only way to have a healthy marriage. 5y

JacqMac I agree with @EadieB and @ljuliel I‘d confront them. Pretending doesn‘t make it go away, it just makes everything worse. 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

I will shortly post the questions for the final discussion of the #MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods.

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

TheBookHippie Hope you‘re feeling better! I‘m hoping to rejoin again! Oye. Life! I‘ve saved all the questions and stacked the books 🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♀️ (edited) 5y

Andrew65 @TheBookHippie Will be great to have you with us again. In November (19th) we will reading one of my favourites. Still having health issues and have been diagnosed with Gerd and Fatty Liver Disease (never heard of it before). Still doing regular blood tests to monitor the liver, hopefully with the big changes I have made in my diet (lost over a stone in weight) the liver readings will stabilise and improve. Next readings next week.

Heart and Soul

Andrew65 @TheBookHippie Look forward to your replies. 😊👍 5y

TheBookHippie I‘ll pick up a copy! Hope you‘ll get back to tip top soon! 5y

Andrew65 @TheBookHippie Me too, now been going on since early July! 🥺 5y

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Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Discussion of Chapters 10 - 13

Question 5 of 5

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I think it was ok as the older folks were having some harmless fun. Poppy just needs to monitor things so things don‘t get out of control with the alcohol. 5y

ljuliel This was one of my favorite sections of the book. Poppy was born to have that job. She really did care for those elderly folks and wanted them to still have as much of their normal life as they could possibly have, even though they live in that place. She tried to make it as “fun” as possible. I think everyone kept the drinking under control with no problems, although if they got caught, it‘d not be good ! 5y

rubyslippersreads I don‘t think it hurt anything, as long as they don‘t get caught! 😄 5y

rubyslippersreads Do we ever find out what Poppy‘s real name is? She says there‘s a “worse one” on her birth certificate. 5y

12 likes4 comments

Andrew65

Whitethorn Woods | Maeve Binchy

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#MaeveBinchyBuddyRead #WhitethornWoods

Discussion of Chapters 10 - 13

Question 4 of 5

rubyslippersreads, JacqMac, Tove_Reads, EadieB, ljuliel

EadieB I think Linda could not get away quick enough after listening to John rambling on and complaining about his parents. 5y

JacqMac I think it‘s the end. He showed such a selfish and disrespectful side. And he couldn‘t even see it. 5y

ljuliel I think it was a real turnoff to her and she really didn‘t want to hear it any longer. 5y

rubyslippersreads It‘s definitely the end, and I think Linda was lucky to find out before they got married. 5y

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