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Whitethorn Woods
Whitethorn Woods
Author: Maeve Binchy
When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, it will also destroy St. Ann's Well, where people have been coming for generations to share their dreams and offer their prayers. Some believe the well to be a place of true spiritual power; others think it's a mere magnet for superstitions. — Maeve Binc...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780307278418
ISBN-10: 0307278417
Publication Date: 1/29/2008
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 216

3.7 stars, based on 216 ratings
Publisher: Anchor
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
A book of loosely connected stories...all of the people have some connection to a small town in Ireland called Rossmoor and a well in the woods that is dedicated to Saint Ann, where people go to pray for intercessions. A fun, escapist read, although I would not count it among her best.
deedeexxoo avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I love Maeve Binchy and would read anything she writes. This book was very tedious to read and not my favorite of her books.
Shellaree avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 270 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is an interesting book because it really is a series of short stories about people that are connected to the town of Rossmore and St. Ann's Well. If you read this with this in mind you can really enjoy it. Some of the people are inter-connected and you see their side of their life.
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 168 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I listened to the audio CD version of Whitehorn Woods. Great narration of a very good story. I really enjoyed the story and the narrator made the story come alive. I wasn't disappointed in this audiobook.
bookcrazychick avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I didn't care for this one as much as her others. More short stories than a novel. Too many ends left undone.
Read All 37 Book Reviews of "Whitethorn Woods"

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emeraldfire avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on
A proposed highway through the quiet Irish town of Rossmore will mean the destruction of St. Ann's Well - a shrine supposed to deliver healing, husbands and other miracles - located in Whitethorn Woods. The shrine is located in Father Brian Flynn's parish, St Augustine's.

As a fracas erupts between the people who want the highway and believers who want the shrine preserved, Fr. Flynn finds himself in the middle of the issue not sure where he stands in an increasingly secular Ireland. He goes to the shrine to pray to God to show him what position is right. What follows are the stories of Neddy Nolan, a not so simple mentally challenged man, 60-something Vera who finds love on a trip meant for much younger people and James, whose wife of 26 years is dying.

Linked into these stories are stories of mental illness, alcoholism, incest, greed, the joys of being single and struggles of career women. The good and bad sides of people are shown. I really liked this book although it was a simple plot. It was sweet and endearing anyway. I give it an A+!
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 21 more book reviews
When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, it will also destroy St. Ann's Well, where people have been coming for generations to share their dreams and offer their prayers. Some believe the well to be a place of true spiritual power; others think it's a mere magnet for superstitions. Maeve Binchy populates Whitethorn Woods with passionately opinioted men and women drawn into a timely confict between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future.
CherokeeJoy avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 37 more book reviews
I found this book Binchy-enjoyable. She is a reliable and steady writer and when you're in the mood for her style, she's hard to beat.
tracey13 avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 310 more book reviews
Interconnecting stories of people in an Irish town whose lives are effected by the old wishing well, a shrine to St. Anne.
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on
I really enjoyed this book. Fans of Maeve Binchy won't be disappointed.
SuzO avatar reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 65 more book reviews
Maeve Binchy continues to write an interesting, engaging story. Though not her best (I still think Circle of Friends was her best effort)it was a nice relaxed read.
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 36 more book reviews
This was only the author's second book that I have read and what can compare with Friends!
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on
Short stories about life and love...not very interesting but well written.
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on + 67 more book reviews
Another fine Maeve Binchy book!
reviewed Whitethorn Woods on
Everything is changing in Rossmore. No longer a sleepy Irish town; nowadays it's a prosperous place, so busy that a new bypass has been proposed.


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