Maeve's Times

This is a really fascinating collection of articles and excerpts from Maeve Binchy's decades as a journalist and writer.

From observations of villagers and urbanites around her, to world travel experiences, to international crises and news headlines where she was an active professional observer and reporter, Maeve Binchy gives an easily readable account from a down to earth point of view. Subject matter varies from the royal family to political and social changes in Ireland and England, to world news. There are also more closely focussed observations on people right around her.

There are a number of references to Ms. Binchy's enjoyment of and fascination with the details of other people's lives. You can just see her lurking behind columns, or leaning from her chair to hear the next table.

The humorous vein runs deep and rich throughout many of these excerpts. I found myself chuckling quite often, but after page 262 (in the middle of "The Theodora Story") I could hardly stop laughing, and there was much wiping of tears.

Some more of my favourites were "Who Sent This Postcard" (p. 84), where she speculates wildly about a mysterious and untraceable postcard; "I Was a Winter Sport” (p. 91); "Vanity of Vanity, All is Vanity" (p. 101); "Fit For a Queen" (p. 188), about acquiring a bra; "Maeve's Operation: The Whole Story" (p. 206); and so many more!