This month, in keeping with the theme of all things Irish, St. Patrick's Day, and so forth, we thought we would give you a little Irish literary treat. This is by an author we've recently become curious about. Read on, dear patron, and enjoy. by Maeve Binchy The Irish coastal town of Castlebay is kept afloat by one thing: summer tourism. The other three-quarters of the year can get pretty dull for the youths of Castlebay; many--among them, our heroes and heroines: David, Gerry, Clare, Angela--do what they can to keep busy and sane. The Echo Cave, Bridget's Cave, offers a welcome distraction; but for each of them, it is the big question that haunts them: that of following in their families' footsteps, or going it alone. For the most part, David, Gerry, and Angela do the former; Clare breaks with tradition and does the latter. A bright girl, Clare studies, with a vengeance, and with a little help from Angela, a local Catholic schoolteacher, she rises through each consecutive grade, with flying colors; dreaded entrance exams can't keep her down. As Clare goes off to secondary, and then the big university in Dublin, she is Castlebay's darling. David too, does not disappoint; he too wings his way to Dublin and a medical career, in his father's image. Gerry, the town Casanova, stays behind, however. But while Clare is Castlebay's darling, Gerry wishes he could have her all to himself--not that Clare ever realized this. When Clare--much to Gerry's chagrin--becomes involved with David, falls in love with, has a baby with, marries David, all three lives begin to fall apart. And what of Angela? What of her brother, the priest, Sean? What can she do about his falling away from his profession? Will she be able to cope with the news? Or the shock of shocks he brings home with him from the Orient? The unfolding of this story; Angela's dilemma; the question of how Clare and David will deal with their overbearing parents, their baby, each other; Gerry's struggle to find if it is at all possible to admit defeat, in all areas of life, is the thread that pulls the reader back to the mysterious drowning victim with which the story of Echoes opens. Who is it? What happened, back then? What does happen now? You'll have to read to find out. Echoes is a very good novel, an intriguing portrait of an interesting town, and compelling people. If you are looking for a good read, with a flavor of Irish Mystery, I highly recommend this wonderful novel. ~Webmistress Back to Modern Reviews Index |