Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

rating
(No Series)
  DRAMA


It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny—the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents...Eve—the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother's wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny—they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager's lace curtains...except their own.

It widened at Dublin, at the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahlon and Jack Foley, a doctor's handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a...Circle Of Friends.



Pros - The writing style itself with wording isn't bad. It has a smooth and warm tone that fits the genre. Characters are mainly likeable, especially the main Benny and her friend Eve, two girls who bonded despite being in such different circumstances. The ending isn't predictable but it's a peaceful one. There's a surprise that pops up with one of the characters showing their real face, so not everything is sedate

Cons - The lengthy book is a story of unfolding and developing relationships, but not the most interesting thing on the shelves. The main issue I had is a personal preference - way too much head hopping into random characters. I can't get as attached to characters and interested in their story if the view keeps hopping around so freely.

Overall it's a decent book but the point of view switching so heavily isn't something I enjoy in comparison to limited POV or singular, and the length doesn't quite justify the content.



   Book Quotes:

"God, Benny, don’t blow your nose like that in the church. You’d lift half the congregation out of their seats."

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