A Kind-hearted Respite for the Weary Reader

Title: A Week in Winter
Author: Maeve Binchy
Host: Chris, at Open Book

Published posthumously after beloved Irish author Maeve Binchy's death in 2012, this slight volume tells the story of Stoneybridge, a small town on the west coast of Ireland where everyone knows each other, and Chicky Starr, who takes on a decaying mansion overlooking the sea to transform it into a holiday destination.

Chicky harbors a secret. Further, everyone thinks her dream is insane. Throughout the course of this story, she collects a variety of characters, all with their own stories and complications.

Insights and Telling Details

We chose this book as a "light entree" after having consumed its emotional opposite for last month's conversation (The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers). It did the trick.

It's important to note that this blog writer missed the conversation, but has heard through the grapevine that Binchy's book stimulated one of the more lively discussions in a long time. If you know what happened that night, please weigh in and add your comments here.