The Bottom Line
Pros
- Binchy is skilled at weaving narratives, and the brief stories make for satisfying reads.
- Readers will enjoy the glimpse of modern Irish life and culture.
Cons
- 'Whitethorn Woods' can seem too saccharine—though it’s balanced by moments of cynicism.
Description
- A small town in Ireland is home to a beloved shrine to St. Ann, believed to grant wishes.
- A proposed highway would bring benefits to the town, but would mean tearing down the holy well.
- Binchy tells the story of the villagers by examining their hopes and dreams as they visit St. Ann.
Guide Review - 'Whitethorn Woods' by Maeve Binchy - Book Review
The story is told in a collection of short stories, each narrated from several different perspectives. Broken hearts and stalled careers are often solved in a few deft pages, but some bigger problems, like alcoholism, murder, and kidnapping are not resolved, giving the book a realistic balance.
Fans of Binchy’s previous books—including Circle of Friends, which was made into a movie, and Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection—will be pleased by Whitethorn Woods, which stays faithful to her style.



