Press enter after choosing selection

Maeve Binchy, Irish family saga novelist, has died

by sernabad

Maeve Binchy, whose very first novel became a bestseller, died yesterday in Dublin.

Ms. Binch's love of Irish small town living and family sagas, was a teacher and a journalist before her first work of fiction, Light a Penny Candle (1982, on order) was rejected by five publishers before Century (England) and Viking (U.S.) picked it up. It quickly became a bestseller.

She wrote several collections of short stories and 15 more novels, several of which became movies, including Tara Road (1999) which hit the silver screen as a film in 2005 starring Andie MacDowell and Stephen Rea.

Ms Binchy's fascination with human interaction and family relationships which were often fueled by secrets served her well as she penned rich multi-generational tales.

When Ms. Binchy was hospitalized four years ago with a heart ailment, she turned that experience into a novel she called Heart and Soul.

Ms. Binchy's last novel, A Week in Winter will be published posthumously later this year.

Maeve Binchy had turned 72 in May.

Comments

I remember loving the movie A Circle of Friends when it came out and subsequently read the book. It was a great adaptation of a very sweet story.

I am very sad to hear this news. Maeve Binchy was a wonderful writer. May she rest in peace.

Graphic for blog posts

Blog Post