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Critic's Corner
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"Andreas thought he saw the fire down in the bay before anyone else did. He peered and shook his head in disbelief. This sort of thing didn't happen. Not here in Aghia Anna, not to the Olga, the little red and white boat that took visitors out to the bay. Not to Manos, foolish headstrong Manos whom he had known since he was a boy. This was some kind of dream, some trick of the light. That could not be smoke and flames coming from the Olga." Maeve Binchy known for her crackling dialogue, lyrically evoked settings, and seamless intertwining of comedy and drama takes readers to a small Greek island village, where a group of separate travelers from around the world and the local residents they encounter are brought together in unexpected ways when a sudden tragedy strikes. "Nights of Rain and Stars" is the story of old Andreas, the taverna owner who has spent many years grieving over his estrangement from his only son, Adonis. It is also Elsa, the lovely German reporter's story. Elsa gave up her television career and the man she loves because of the secret he hid from her. Then, there is Fiona, the Irish nurse who's gone off to travel with the man everyone says is wrong for her. Fiona is determined to show them all how wrong they are even if it kills her. Included in the mix is David, an only son who loves his family but not the family business; Thomas, the American who is divorced and able to cope with that, but cannot accept sharing his son with his wife's new husband. Then there is the story of Vonni. Vonni, who rashly left behind her life in Ireland to follow her true love to this Greek village 30 years ago, only to be abandoned by him. Vonni has made a new life for herself by opening a small craft shop, and helping teach the village children languages and music. She is in many ways a care giver to the young strangers who have escaped their lives back home and come to Aghia Anna. Vonni counsels Elsa saying, "Grow up, Elsa. In the end we all have to rely on ourselves. Ourselves and friends, if we are lucky enough to make them. We are not tied to our children or they to us. There's no huge law that says ‘Thou shalt love thy child' and that ‘Thy child shalt love thee in return.' Happy families is a game people play with cards, it's not any kind of reality." That is Vonni's reality, and as the story grows we see it become the philosophy of the other characters. Each must find their own way to a happier future. Thus, this novel becomes a tale of relationships; father and son, husband and wife, friend with friend, and lovers with true and untrue loves. "Nights of Rain and Stars" is also a story of sudden endings and new beginnings, of friendships forged in the face of tragedy, and of the nights of rain and stars that fall and shine over a beautiful island in a sparkling sea. A story told as only Maeve Binchy can tell it in prose that will at once break your heart yet build it up again. Binchy is the author of "Quentins," "Scarlet Feather," and "Tara Road" (an Oprah's Book Club Selection), "Circle of Friends," "Light a Penny Candle," and many other bestselling novels. She lives in Dalkey, Ireland, and London. Once you've read one Binchy novel, you are compelled to read others. Copyright October 30, 2004, Patricia A. Jones Save Up to 30% on this book at Amazon.com Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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Disclaimer
The information compiled on this site is Copyright 1999-2012 by Attard Communications, Inc. and by the individual authors. |
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