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sternyblossom's review against another edition
4.0
It’s always nice to crawl into a Maeve Binchy book and hang out there for a few days. This collection of short stories did not disappoint.
sue_loves_to_read's review against another edition
2.0
Maeve Binchy’s best-selling novels not only tell wonderful stories, they also show that while times change, people often remain the same: they fall in love, sometimes unsuitably; they have hopes and dreams; they have deep, long-standing friendships, and others that fall apart. From her earliest writing to her most recent, Maeve’s work has included wonderfully nostalgic pieces and also sharp, often witty writing that is insightful and topical. But at the heart of all Maeve’s fiction are the people and their relationships with each other. A Few of the Girls is a glorious collection of the very best of her writing, full of the warmth, charm, and humor that has always been essentially Maeve.
Overall I found these stories quite depressing! The majority seemed to dwell on the character's bad points; their small-mindedness and self-obsession. Very few of the stories had an overall happy theme.
Overall I found these stories quite depressing! The majority seemed to dwell on the character's bad points; their small-mindedness and self-obsession. Very few of the stories had an overall happy theme.
bajoswa's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Classic Binchy. It was like reading little vignettes for her novels.
lauriebuchanan's review against another edition
5.0
I miss Maeve Bunchy. I miss her dearly. Her husband, Gordon Snell’s, posthumous release of some of her short stories is a deeply appreciated gift. Reading a FEW OF THE GIRLS was like sitting on a park bench next to Maeve on a blustery autumn day with a shared thermos of hot tea. Leaning toward each other conspiratorially—wind whipping loose hair across our faces—she catches me up on the news and happenings of longtime, common friends. Raised eyebrows, a knowing wink, heads thrown back in laughter, I learn the ins and outs—the gritty details—before she heads back from whence she came. I appreciated our short visit; I hope there will be more…
meredithkhd's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of short stories Maeve Binchy wrote before she passes away. I have not been able to figure out if they are stories she was working on or that they were previously published as stand-alone pieces in various publications, but being a huge fan of Binchy's writing, I was glad to have something to read (or listen to, as my review is about the audio edition) after her passing.
The stories are OK. Some are better than others, but none of them are amazing. As always, Binchy manages to create characters that feel real, even if they aren't particularly likable. If you are a fan of her work, you'll like this collection because you'll remember how talented she was (because even if these stories were considered unfinished by her, they're pretty good). If you are new to Binchy's writing, start with one of her older novels first. I always recommend The Glass Lake to new readers.
The stories are OK. Some are better than others, but none of them are amazing. As always, Binchy manages to create characters that feel real, even if they aren't particularly likable. If you are a fan of her work, you'll like this collection because you'll remember how talented she was (because even if these stories were considered unfinished by her, they're pretty good). If you are new to Binchy's writing, start with one of her older novels first. I always recommend The Glass Lake to new readers.