Helpful Score: 3
They say that if you went out on Saint Agnes's eye and looked into the lake at sunset you could see your future.
Helpful Score: 3
One of Binchy's best, I even thought it might end up differently for once! She just gets into her characters and I love that.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, fast reading. I loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
The Glass Lake by M. Binchy was a good read. It had some thoughtful characterizations, beautiful descriptive passages, good plot turns, and some amazing things to ponder. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good book.
Helpful Score: 1
Maeve Binchy has written another winner about a family in Lough Glass, Ireland. Binchy's characters are always a strong point of her novels. By the end of the book, you are believing that they are real people. Book is a bit long but the pages are flying fast as you can't get enough of the story. The ending was sad and a surprise to me. I'm looking forward to my next Binchy book. I would recommend her books to those who love to read about Ireland.
Helpful Score: 1
If you enjoyed Circle of Friends then I would recommend this book. The Glass Lake is a little less lighthearted, but there are similar themes with children in a small town growing up to be young adults who discover Dublin and bring life back to their small town. Characters are complex, not black and white. Plot is fairly unpredictable. This book also contains a story about a mother-daughter relationship. I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Maeve Binchy book and I really loved it!! It's a long book, but I wasn't able to put it down!! I devoured all 750 pages of it in less than a week. I really like how she develops the characters and throughout the book. The ending was a bit of a surprise, I wish it would have been a little better, but I still enjoyed it tremendously. I'm going to start reading Echoes next.
Helpful Score: 1
I always like to read new authors' books so when I kept seeing Maeve Binchy's name and the praise attached so often to her books I decided to try one. The Glass Lake sounded promising with its mystery of a mother disappearing one night. She left a letter on her husband's pillow but Kit, their daughter, took the letter and destroyed it.
I couldn't get into this book. I thought the writing itself was fine, better than most of the authors on the bestseller lists. But the plot seemed to meander too much for me and I have no patience for meanderings unless the characters are so interesting to make me keep trying. Here the main characters are two young school friends, and their lives as interesting are limited to me.
I couldn't get into this book. I thought the writing itself was fine, better than most of the authors on the bestseller lists. But the plot seemed to meander too much for me and I have no patience for meanderings unless the characters are so interesting to make me keep trying. Here the main characters are two young school friends, and their lives as interesting are limited to me.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic Binchy! Beautiful story, really pulls you in. Dublin, Lough Glass, beautiful woman dissapears, daughter haunted by her memory...mystery. :-)
Helpful Score: 1
I've read many of Maeve Binchy's books and this is my favorite up to now. I guess because I'm a sucker for a happy ending. I also enjoy her detailed characterizations of all the memorable characters involved in her story.
Helpful Score: 1
Maeve Binchy never fails. This is another great example of her work. I couldn't wait to turn the page and follow the lives of her many characters. The ending was sad but understandable. You will definatly enjoy this read.
Helpful Score: 1
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. until the day she dissapeared leaving leaving a boat drifting upside down on the unfathonable lake that gave the town it's name.Ravishin Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with the moviestar looks and unfulfilled dreams, nevr belonged in Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist-husband Martin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. Suddenly she is gone, and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through awindow, alone at a kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets;of the nigght she found a note on Martins pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is set in a small Irish country town, Lough Glass. One day, Kit's unhappy mother disappears, leaving a note. Everyone assumes she drowned in the lake, and life for Kit goes on, but not without heartache as she grows up. Just know that it's about 750 pages, so you have to stick with it, but it's worth it!
Not one of my favorite Maeve Binchy books. It was slow and a little boring through the middle. The beginning and ending were good, but it really dragged from end to end. CSC
One of Maeve Binchy's best. Chicago Tribune says "Remarkable moving...may be her most compelling novel to date."
Taps in to many women's fantasy of walking away from their life for an old love. Doesn't always turn out the way you imagine. My favorite of Binchy's.
Small town smooth reading
Night after night, the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day the she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the lake that gave the town its name.
Classic Binchy! One of my favorites!
Basically - good story, very good characters and good background.The Glass Lake has intrigue and mystery... definitely a page-turner.
An excellent read! I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what lay ahead for Kit and Lena.
really good
this is definetly one of Binchy's books you can't put down.
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town its name. Ravising Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with the film star looks and unfulfilled dreams, never belonged in Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist-husband Martin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. Suddenly she is gone & Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone at a kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets: of the night she discovered a letter on Martin's pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever....
This is a mystery of a woman's disappearance and how her husband, daughter and son are affected by it as years go by and the children grow into adults.
one of my favorite authors
The cover of my book is slightly different.
Interesting journey through the life of a lady who longed for her true love.
One of my favorite Maeve Binchy books. A good read.
In general, I think Binchy is one of my favorite authors. However, I feel this story is not as good as many of her others and has a disappointing ending.
Wonderful storyteller. Interesting to get an overview into life in and around Dublin.
An excellent story,the 1st chapter seemed a little slow but then reading a little further I was hooked. This author tells an excellent story full of real people; can't wait to see what happens to each one of them. The story is set in Ireland and London. I highly reccomend this book!
Like other of her stories better, but this one holds your interest. Woman marries a man who loves her after losing the man she loves. Reuniting with her first love results in major upheavals in her family and small town where they live.
Not one of my favorite Maeve Binchy stories. I did love her character development.
In classic Binchy style the story of the journey a woman takes when she gives up everything for the one true love of her life evolves. It is the story of the family she left behind and in her masterful story telling Maeve Bincy weaves the two together. Her detailed characterizations and vivid descriptions of life in Lough Glass, Dublin and London bring it all to life. The book is long, 750 pages but captivating and a good read.
"They say that if you went out on Saint Agnes' Eve and looked in the lake at sunset you could see your future.
I really liked this book. I'm a Maeve Binchy fan
Good story. Could not put this book down.
It is a 10! Great book! Long, but not drawn out. It keeps you involved. Towards the end I found I didn't want the book to ever end! I wanted the story to go on with the people involved, their children, and grandchildren!
I recommend getting into your 'comfys', sitting in front of a fire on a cold winter's night and reading until dawn!
I recommend getting into your 'comfys', sitting in front of a fire on a cold winter's night and reading until dawn!
Maeve Binchy is great her book are ones you look for in the books stores
Old fashioned melodrama
I loved this book! It is wonderful.
Again, another great Binchy novel...set in Ireland, fabulous desc. of landscapes...story about a woman who dissappears and is searched for by her daughter...fabulous.
I really enjoyed this book. I have rediscovered Maeve Binchy. She writes beautifully of relationships...mothers/daughters, friends, lovers, etc.
Loved this book, want to read more by this author
It's hard to find a good book that does not contain a lot of foul language, but if that's the kind of book you're looking for, this novel will be perfect for you. Maeve Binchy is an amazing author writing about the common man, people you know and with whom you can relate. The Glass Lake is what one would call a "real page turner." You just can't wait to see what happens next. This novel will hold your attention to the end...you just won't be able to put it down.
This book did not rivet me, but the plot is good.
Ravishing Helen McMahon disappears leaving only a boat upside down on the lake. She leaves behind a daughter, Kit who can never accept the fact her mother is dead. Kit discovers letter on her fathers pillow and burns it, unopened. WHAT DID THE LETTER SAY?
This book is one of my favorites. Truly one of Maeve Binchy's best.
I really did love this one, got very caught up in the characters, as I do with most of Maeve Binchy's books. This one is one my favorites by her, brought up a lot of emotions.
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town its name. Ravishing Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with the film-star looks and unfulfilled dreams, never belonged in Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist-husband Martin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. Suddenly she is gone, and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone at a kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets: of the night she discovered a letter on Martin's pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever...
Classic Maeve Binchy. Good characters & plot.
Another Binchy classic!!
I don' think that Benchy has ever written a bad book. I loved this one!
(from the back)
"They say that if you went out on Saint Agnes' Eve and looked in the lake at suset you could see your future."
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town it's name. Ravishing Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with the fil-star looks and unfullfilled dreams, never belonged to Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist-husband Martin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. suddenly she is gone, and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone at the kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets: of the night she discovered the letter on Martins pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever...
"They say that if you went out on Saint Agnes' Eve and looked in the lake at suset you could see your future."
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town it's name. Ravishing Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with the fil-star looks and unfullfilled dreams, never belonged to Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist-husband Martin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. suddenly she is gone, and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone at the kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets: of the night she discovered the letter on Martins pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever...
Night after night the beauriful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass.
I just couldn't get into this one, but I know she is a very popular author.
One of Maeve Binchy's best!
LIKE ALL OF MAEVE BINCHY'S BOOK THIS IS A REAL READ. GREAT CHARACTERS, IN DEPTH STORY AND HARD TO PUT DOWN.
Another winning story from Maeve Binchy.
Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town its name. Ravishing helen McMahon, the Dubliner with film star looks and unfullfilled dreams, never belonged in Lough Glasss, not the way her pharmachist-husband Marin belonged, or their spirited daughter Kit. Suddenly, she is gone and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone in the kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secret: of the night she discovered a letter on Martin's pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever...
Wonderful book to read.
Engrossing story about a woman who leaves her family and is assumed to be dead, and the daughter she left behind. Two parallel stories which, throughout the book, become more and more intertwined. Great saga that you won't want to put down.
It wasn't until I was about 1/3 of the way thru this book that I was finally able to start piecing together the characters & story. Once that happened, it got more interesting as I read.
Lough Glass is home to Kit McMahon, in a way it will never be to her ravishing mother, Helen, the Dubliner with film-star looks who found an unlikely mate in genial chemist Martin McMahon. Kit adores her mother, but can't escape the memory of her, seen through a window, alone at the kitchen table, eyes wide, blind, tears streaming down her face. Kit's best friend and enemy Clio Kelly, with her casual cruelties and unexpected kindnesses, is first to share the gossip about the exotic and elusive Helen-until the terrible night Martin's boat is found drifting upside down in the lake. The night Helen is lost. The night Kit discovers a letter from her mother on Martin's pillow and burns it, unopened in the grate. The night everything changed forever.
Registered on bookcrossing also.
Book Description:
"Kit MacMahon, growing up in the lakeside village of Loughshee, seems to lead a charmed life. She is the loved daughter of Martin MacMahon, the kindly local pharmacist, and Helen, his beautiful wife. She has a little brother, Emmett; a best friend, Clio, and a host of other friends.
But Kit worries about her mother. Helen MacMahon does not fit in with the people and the ways of Loughshee. She wanders alone by the lake night after night -- until the dark windy night when she disappears and only her overturned rowboat is found near Loughshee's shore.
Kit grows up in the small village without the mother she has loved and so staunchly defended, determined to carry out her mother's last wishes that she should make something of her life. Though she moves to the city, Kit is constantly drawn back to Loughshee and the people who live there -- Clio Kelly and their love/hate relationship; Clio's father Dr. Kelly, whose sister-in-law Maura has her eyes on Kit's father; Philip O'Brien, who has loved Kit since childhood; and roguish Stevie Sullivan, who runs the garage and rules the affections of every woman for miles around.
The Glass Lake tells the story of how Kit MacMahon carries out her mother's last wishes; a story of how faith and courage can be rewarded. It is Maeve Binchy at her spellbinding best, creating a novel of such warmth and humor that the reader will never want it to end."
Book Description:
"Kit MacMahon, growing up in the lakeside village of Loughshee, seems to lead a charmed life. She is the loved daughter of Martin MacMahon, the kindly local pharmacist, and Helen, his beautiful wife. She has a little brother, Emmett; a best friend, Clio, and a host of other friends.
But Kit worries about her mother. Helen MacMahon does not fit in with the people and the ways of Loughshee. She wanders alone by the lake night after night -- until the dark windy night when she disappears and only her overturned rowboat is found near Loughshee's shore.
Kit grows up in the small village without the mother she has loved and so staunchly defended, determined to carry out her mother's last wishes that she should make something of her life. Though she moves to the city, Kit is constantly drawn back to Loughshee and the people who live there -- Clio Kelly and their love/hate relationship; Clio's father Dr. Kelly, whose sister-in-law Maura has her eyes on Kit's father; Philip O'Brien, who has loved Kit since childhood; and roguish Stevie Sullivan, who runs the garage and rules the affections of every woman for miles around.
The Glass Lake tells the story of how Kit MacMahon carries out her mother's last wishes; a story of how faith and courage can be rewarded. It is Maeve Binchy at her spellbinding best, creating a novel of such warmth and humor that the reader will never want it to end."
