I always thought Maeve looked like a lady I’d enjoy sitting down with for a cup of coffee or tea and nice chat.
Maeve Binchy passed away today at 72. Binchy was a bestselling author from Ireland. Before she became a short story author and novelist, she was a teacher and later, a journalist and columnist. I could relate to her personal history and I enjoyed her writing, which combined humor with poignancy and humanity. Her first novel, Light a Penny Candle, was rejected five ties before it was published. When it was published, it became a bestseller and her books went on to sell more than 40 million copies worldwide.
And she just looked like a sweetheart.
Rest in peace, Maeve. You were an all together grand storyteller and you’ll be missed.
She was a serious inspiration in so many ways. I loved everything of hers I ever read.
Me, too. And I think I read pretty much everything she did write. I remember looking for her older stuff at the used book store once I discovered her as a writer. There was a real warmth in her writing.
yes, and w/o condescension. It was clearly chick lit, but it was always loyal to its own principles and as you say, humane in execution. You could tell the author was a loving person.
Exactly. It wasn’t–I don’t know–superficial like some of the stuff out there. Some chick lit just leaves me cold. The author’s heart went into her stories. As I said, I would love to have had the chance to sit down and talk with her over a cuppa.
For this, among all other reasons, she will be missed.
I’m shocked and much saddened to hear of the death of Maeve Binchy! She seemed such a lovely lady and I think I have most of her books. If my memory serves me correctly she dedicated all her books to her beloved husband Gordon Snell. She will be sadly missed.
She and Gordon, a children’s book author, truly seemed to have a happy marriage and deep friendship.
I think you’re right, Angie. Both of them being authors also gave them a lot in common too, I’m sure. He must be devastated, poor man.
I know her health had not been the best the last few years–she stopped doing regular book tours several years ago–but apparently this was pretty sudden, a brief illness.
I had wondered about that. I have her last book “Minding Frankie” which came out in 2010 and it crossed my mind she might not be in good health when a new book didn’t appear.
RIP Ms. Binchy. You kept me company many a sleepless night.
She knew how to tell a tale, that’s for certain.