Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The loss of Maeve Binchy



It was true what they had been saying: if people remember you, then you're not dead. It was very comforting.

Minding Frankie
by Maeve Binchy (1940-2012)

20 comments:

  1. Your blog is the first place I hear about Maeve Binchy's death. She was only four years older than my Mum. I have not read many of her books, but the ones I did read I liked, and there happens to be one in the small to-be-read pile I brought back from England in May.
    I am sorry for her close friends and family.

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    1. I am so very sad about this. I hoped she would continue writing into old age. I've written about quite a few. If you want you could click on the authors tab and scroll down to her name. (and I'm only four years younger than your mum)

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  2. I know a lot of people will miss her writing.

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    1. I was so shocked. I hadn't heard anything about her being sick. Very sad.

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  4. A very fitting quote/tribute to Maeve Binchy, Nan.

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  5. Oh no; this is the first I've heard this news.
    I believe that quote to be very true, of both humans and beloved pets.
    Makes me want to plant a Copper Beech in my garden...

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    1. I so, so love your last sentence. The Copper Beach is one of her books I have not yet read.

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  6. This is the first I heard of this as well -- I am going off to do an Internet Search as soon as I send this....and then I must re-read one of my favorite books asap!!

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    1. It really feels like a distant friend has died.

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  7. If you could recommend just one book of hers, which would it be? I tried Light a Penny Candle many, many years ago and couldn't get interested. Forgive me if I've asked this question in the past. I will try to remember your recommendation and get a copy of one of her books this week.

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  8. I listened to _The Copper Beech_ as a book on tape years ago and was hooked. If you don't like MB, I think, you don't like ice cream - or Audrey Hepburn or anything else that all reasonable people can agree upon. I was interested to learn in her obit that she was a teacher of Latin. I find over and over that the writers I really admire very often have had a thorough classical grounding. Some used to say you needed to know Latin to write a good English sentence. (I only got one semester so...) It was a shock to here she was so suddenly gone...

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    1. I haven't read The Copper Beech. It's good to know there are a few that will be new to me.
      I loved Latin in high school, and can still sing parts of Gaudeamus igatur, and recite most of The Lord's Prayer in Latin. :<)
      It is such a sad loss. Many writers now are still going strong in their seventies and eighties. I always thought she would as well.

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  9. Have just started Nights of Rain and Stars. I am so saddened by her loss. She has some wonderful talks on Youtube, brief bits on her thoughts on writing and life that I have enjoyed very much.

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    1. I read NoRaS twice. I liked it so much. And those characters are in other books too. Just so terribly sad that she is gone.

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  10. Oh I know I was sad when I heard she died. I've read all her books. Maeve was my mother's all time favourite author and we used to love sharing and talking about the books written by her.

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    1. How very dear to share a beloved author with your mother.

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