Maeve Binchy Books

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Maeve Binchy was an Irish novelist and columnist that died in 2012 at the age of 73. She was recognized as one of Ireland’s best-loved writers. Born in 1939 in Dalkey, Dublin to William and Maureen, she had two younger sisters and a younger brother. By the time she passed away, her novels had sold over 40 million copies in dozens of countries around the world.

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However, she did not set out to become a writer, at least not when she was young. Maeve attended St. Anne’s in Dun Laoghaire, Holy Child School in Killiney, and University College Dublin. After securing her degree in history, she found employment as a teacher at various girls’ schools. Her specialties were history, Latin, and French.

For a time, Maeve was Catholic. But after teaching French at a Jewish school in 1963, she was rewarded with a trip to Israel that turned her into an agnostic. The author never expected to marry. Too tall and too plump, she never thought of herself as attractive and she couldn’t imagine finding love with anyone.

When her mother passed away in 1968, Maeve Binchy became convinced that she was destined for spinsterhood. She was also certain that she would spend the rest of her days at the family home.

Everything changed when she met Gordon Snell, a children’s author. Snell was working for the BBC as a freelance producer. Maeve was doing a recording for ‘Woman’s Hour’ when their paths crossed. They began as friends before slowly transitioning into romantic partners. After their wedding in 1977, they spent some time in London before finally settling down in Ireland.

Her health complications began in 2002 when she fell victim to a heart condition. Initially working for The Irish Times as a journalist before transitioning into publishing as a writer of novels and short stories, Maeve continued to write despite the limitations her condition placed on her.

Her death in 2012 was blamed on a variety of ailments. Her husband was by her side throughout her ordeal. When she died, several writers and politicians paid tribute to Maeve, including President Micheal Higgins.

The Irish Times was fortunate to speak to Maeve shortly before her passing and she told them that she did not regret anything that had happened in her life. Things had worked out far better than she had expected and she had experienced so many pleasures as a result.

By the time she died, Maeve had a loyal following of readers. Her foray into publishing began unexpectedly. While her mother hoped that she would find a nice doctor to marry, Maeve preferred to spend her days traveling.

No matter where she went, though, the author took the time to write long letters to her parents in which she rambled on about the excitement she encountered on her trips. Her parents typed Maeve’s letters and had them published in the local newspaper.

This was Maeve’s entry into the publishing field. Her first novel was eventually released in 1982. Her publishers made her quite famous when they decided to buy it for the biggest sum that had ever been spent on a first novel at the time.

Maeve Binchy Awards

Maeve Binchy’s collection of accolades includes Jacob’s Award (RTE), the British Book Award, People of the Year Award, WH Smith Book Award, the Irish PEN Award, and the Irish Book Awards.

Best Maeve Binchy Books

Maeve primarily wrote stories that explored the conflict between urban and rural life in Ireland, with some of the best titles in her bibliography including:

Circle of Friends: Benny and Eve longed to leave home for Dublin. The best of friends, inseparable since childhood, Benny and Eve yearned for the freedom that adulthood would bring. But then they went to university, met Nan Mahon and Jack Foley, and everything changed. They had a new circle of friends and that brought with it as much tragedy as it did passion.

Tara Road: Rita was happy. She had a handsome husband and two children. She thought that Danny was happy as well. But then he abandoned her for a younger woman who was pregnant with his child. Her encounter with Marilyn brought with it unexpected change.

Marylin was separated from her husband. She was also mourning the death of her son. Neither Marilyn nor Rita could predict the consequences of their decision to exchange houses for the summer.

When Does The Next Maeve Binchy book come out?

Maeve Binchy doesn't seem to have an upcoming book. Their newest book is Maeve Binchy’s Treasury and was released on May, 24th 2021. It is the newest book in the Maeve Binchy Collections.

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