One of Maeve's most touching stories

Light a Penny Candle is one of my favourite Maeve Binchy novels -- the story of the English Elizabeth who's sent to live with the Irish Connor family during the Blitz. Although it's set during the period 1941 - 1956, it speaks to my own experience of living in Ireland as a foreigner, and all the cultural miscommunications that ensue. It's a warm and engaging story, full of relatable and memorable characters, but it's also tragic and deeply sad -- just like real life! Aisling and Elizabeth are great characters, believable both in their totally different personalities and in the strength of their friendship. This is a particularly affecting novel for anyone who's ever tried to sustain a relationship in writing; Maeve treats with great accuracy the difficulties of describing the realities of day-to-day life to someone whom you used to be able to talk to in person every day. The gradual distancing of friendships as people grow up and move away is one of the central themes of the novel; anyone who's ever made or lost a friend will find something to relate to here. It's an old recording, but solid to listen to. Enjoy!

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Loved it but ....

I really loved all the characters but what an abrupt ending ... whatever happened to Aisling and Elizabeth?

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not one of authors best

excellent characters as always and agdin brilliantly performed as always. would have preferred different finish. this one leaves to much to imagination

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Very good read

I found the whole story very absorbing with very well developed characters. The story really took me into another world and I thoroughly enjoyed it until we got to the end. It was very abrupt and we don’t know what happened to the main characters that we were following all the way through the story.

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1 person found this helpful

Great book

Great narrative. Have read the book before but enjoyed it being read to me more.

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Engaging story

I enjoyed listening to this book but felt that after Chapter 19 there was a rush to finish the story and tie up loose ends, which was a pity. Kate Binchy is a wonderful narrator.

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Took me through every emotion

I loved this story. Maeve Binchy is an amazing writer. I found myself so attached to the main characters and so invested in their story.
The narrator was fantastic, she seemed to effortlessly stay in character and her accents where on point. I will miss Elizabeth and Aisling like they were my own friends! It’s like you just want to know what they’re doing now.

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Beautiful story

It was a real life story about families and strong friendships. The perspectives of two young girls whose lives changes with experience of womanhood. Fantastic.

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Boring on boring

Normally enjoy reading a Maeve Binchy book, kept waiting for something to happen, nothing did!!

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Good but confusing

I enjoyed the book although it took a couple of chapters to get into it. The presenter was pleasant to listen to and her characters where we'll read.
Not sure why but a chapter or two were skipped in the middle and where then read out of context before the last chapter. The last chapter finished very abruptly and you were left hanging, I am not sure if it was the authors intent or another glitch, so this left me disappointed and wondering where Elizabeth and Ainsling lives ended up.

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1 person found this helpful