A Few of the Girls: Stories

I have been reading Maeve Binchy's novels since I was a college student nearly twenty-five years ago. My first Binchy novel was CIRCLE OF FRIENDS which my younger self easily identified with, and eventually I discovered her other novels such as the memorable ECHOES, the heartbreaking THE GLASS LAKE, FIREFLY SUMMER, SILVER WEDDING, COPPER BEECH, and so many more. I confess that I am partial to her earlier novels and collection of short stories like LONDON TRANSPORTS (I have read every single Binchy novel and short story collection). Her newer novels, such as WHITETHORN WOODS, MINDING FRANKIE, etc. are still highly readable, but lack the intricate plots and in-depth character development that were hallmarks of her earlier works.When I saw this short story collection, I purchased it, not so much because I was expecting something new, but more to get a sense of the old and familiar, warm and cozy feelings I have always experienced reading Ms. Binchy's books. This is a mixed collection: some stories are well-written with insight into the flaws and frailties of Binchy's characters, and those ah-ha moments that her writing is known for. However, there are also many stories that I felt were not reflective of Binchy's tremendous talent and wit and seemed like they were unfinished or incomplete - perhaps these were just stories she had kept in a portfolio someplace that were not intended for publication, they seem raw and unpolished and lack insight, seeming rather banal. Unlike her earlier works, there is no deep sense of setting (one of the things I have always enjoyed about Binchy's novels is how they were able to transport me to Ireland). Whatever the reason, I am not sorry that I read this, but would caution readers not to expect something spectacular. Think of it instead as a way to re-connect and remember Ms. Binchy, who will always remain a beloved and much missed Irish storyteller.

There was so much to absorb in a four page story, I immediately reread it. Maeve Binchy’s style of writing gives you a book in each short story. For me, she is a mystic, seeing and sharing so succinctly👏🏼👏🏼🎨🎨👏🏼👏🏼

A FEW OF THE GIRLS is a collection of Maeve Binchy’s short stories that span several decades of her writing career. Categorized into six major topics from Friends and Enemies to Holidays, readers who know Binchy’s work could identify them as Binchy’s even if they didn’t see the author’s name. The warm, big-hearted Irish storyteller with the subtle lessons to tell through the stories is absolutely there. For the scope of a short story, each story’s characters are well-developed, and the plotline of each story moves well. Point of view (first person or third person) varies from story to story, and Binchy knew the best point of view (first or third person) for each story.BUT – This is a collection of short stories, about eight to ten pages each. Readers should not expect a novel, but anywhere from four to ten stories in each of the six categories.Binchy passed away several years ago, so I am always happy when her husband, Gordon Snell, finds more of her work. This is absolutely no exception.

There's something about a Maeve Binchy book that I love. It's a comfort thing, perhaps - the kind of book you turn to when you need an escape from the world and you just want a warm bath of a story to calm you and help you refocus. I was delighted and surprised by "A Few of the Girls." After years of reading the formulaic (and pleasing) Binchy, I got to see an entirely different side of the writer. She experimented with so many different types of voices and story lines. And each story brought out a different side of this author that really highlighted just how special and creative she was. Understand that this is not the typical Binchy of days of old - but it is terrific creative writing that you're sure to enjoy. I highly recommend this to lovers of short stories - and of course, Maeve Binchy fans! I hope there are more of these to come in the future.

Full disclosure: I have adored Maeve Binchy ever since her first book came out decades ago. "A Few of the Girls", is a collection of short, short stories (most of them fewer than ten pages long). And while it's not the BEST of Binchy's writing...it's still classic Binchy; delightful, kind, witty, real. I'm going to copy a paragraph that made me laugh and that pretty much says it all about Binchy's writing style:"It was quite a drunken wedding and the bridesmaid did an entirely uncalled-for striptease, which she would probably regret for the rest of her life. Brian [the groom] was rather too appreciative of the bridesmaid's displayed charms, and there was an argument about trade unionism that did no favors to either side but alienated a lot of people permanently. Three of the pageboys were sick, and the bride's father got into a poker game where he lost five hundred pounds."Fans of Maeve Binchy won't want to miss this collection.

Anyone who is a Maeve Binchy fan will enjoy this book (also those who haven't discovered her yet). I just recently discovered this book & bought a copy for my daughter who loves Binchy's stories as much as I do. Can't go wrong with a Binchy book.

This book has many short stories included , some only a couple of pages. I believe these were chosen by Maeve’s agent after her untimely death. I’m not sure if they were always intended to be just short stories or if Maeve was starting them in hopes of a complete novel to grow from one of them. I like all of Maeve’s books, but prefer all one story, thus the lower rating.

I agree with the reviewer who wrote "It's Maeve Binchy." Not my absolute favorite volume of Binchy's, but, sadly, there probably won't be any more. I was interested by how she was experimenting with situations/characters that later appeared in her novels, like men who needed clothes rails or who weren't the sharpest knife in the drawer but still had good qualities and were "restful" to be around. Not at all a waste of money, in my opinion, but then I'm a hard-core Binchy fan.

A lovely mix of stories from Maeve Binchy, once started to read them wanted to go onto the next as all seemed to be so enjoyable and easy reading. Irish warmth all the way through, nice to be able to just pick it up read maybe one or two and not get lost in too many characters or long drawn out stories. Would make an ideal gift for someone that likes to read books by this author some might have already been read though in magazines but even so nice to reread them too. On the look out now for more books by this author for when I have hand operation in a few months and need to rest up with lots of books (got to have at least one perk for the pain).

Oh dear! So many unfaithful men and all those sad unhappy women. Very depressing!!! Need to look for something more cheerful to read next😥

On the surface this appears to be a book for the ladies, but really it is a collection of stories by that outstanding story teller Maeve Binchy. The stories flow from her pen in the great tradition of Irish storytelling. They are easy to read and tell simple stories, sometimes of an Ireland now gone, but they are applicable to any country and any age.

I persevered and read 8 of the stories before giving up. I just didn't enjoy what I read of this book. The stories seemed unfinished like they were going to become a story but just didn't . It felt like the next story should actually be the next chapter of the previous story as it just wasn't finished. Perhaps I just like a beginning, middle and end to what i read regardless of whether it's a short story or a full novel. It wasn't that the story left me wanting more, rather just a disappointing halt to what could have been a good story.

Maeve Binchy never disappoints. Her writing is gentle, thoughtful and extremely well observed. We can all empathize with her characters and with their experiences and thoughts. I love her work.