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Heart and Soul (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,806 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
With the warmth, humor, and compassion we have come to expect, Maeve Binchy tells a story of doctors and staff, patients, family, and friends at a heart clinic in a community caught between the old Ireland and the new.
Dr. Clara Casey agrees to take on the seemingly thankless task of establishing a clinic with little funding—for a year. With her own plate full—two troublesome grown daughters and a needy ex-husband—she is still able to gather a wonderfully diverse and dedicated staff. And before long she has done the impossible, made the clinic a success and a aprt of the community. Now Clara must decide whether or not to stay.
From the Paperback edition.
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"I really connected with this book from the very beginning and I stayed connected until the very end. I liked this book because of the storyline about Dr. Clara Casey and the underfunded clinic. This was interesting to me and made me want to keep reading more to find out what was going on and what was going to happen in the future. Also, I really liked how the writing was very complete, while still being easy because of the nicely worded sentences. I would recommend this book to any woman because it is a very relatable storyline."
— Katie (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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A modern day women’s writer in the Jane Austen sense.
— Lauren Daley, The Standard-Times -
Sweet indulgence...Heart and Soul is a delicious delight.
— Lindsey Losnedahl, Las Vegas Review-Journal -
Heart and Soul is a pleasant escape into an entertaining fantasy world across the ocean...[Binchy] once again paints a delightful picture of Ireland that elevates the everyday joys and tragedies of her characters to ones of pure romance.
— Karin Greenberg, Woodbury Magazine -
“A new Maeve Binchy novel is always welcome...Binchy has a true gift of creating characters we either know or wish we knew...Heart and Soul creates a perfect escape.
— Michele Ross, Cleveland Plain Dealer -
At the end of a long week, a long winter, a long economic downturn, [Maeve Binchy’s Heart and Soul is] exactly what we need.
— Laurie Hertzel, Minneapolis Star Tribune -
Good-hearted [and] entertaining...[Heart and Soul] reflects a pervasive generosity of spirit [and] offers many honest pleasures.
— Bill Sheehan, The Washington Post"Another delightful Binchyesque amalgamation of intersecting lives...the collective, charming effect of these story lines suggests that individuals are more connected than they might think. -
Interweaving the domestic narratives of a dissimilar collection of individuals is beloved Binchy's stock-in-trade, and once again, she does so with sublime ease, inventively engaging readers through a reassuring and persuasive combination of gracious warmth, gentle humor, and genuine affection.
— Carol Haggas, Booklist -
Ambitious and intelligently conceived...A heart clinic is really the perfect metaphor for how this book feels. It's a warm and comfy world [and reading Heart and Soul is] not unlike getting a hug from your mother...Binchy's millions-strong readership...will not be disappointed.
— William Kowalski, The Globe and Mail (Toronto) -
Oh, the bliss...Maeve's back, on top form...The heart is the theme, literally and metaphorically, and this is heartwarming stuff–sweet but never cloying.
— The Times -
[Maeve Binchy] knows how to fashion a minor drama into a crisis, and the book rattles along from one gripping story to another, leaving the reader with a satisfying glow...It does exactly what it says on the tin: gives heart and soul.
— Daily Mail -
[Heart and Soul] brings together the secret hopes and dreams of a disparate group of characters...with [Binchy's] trademark warmth and empathy.
— Irish Sunday Independent -
Maeve Binchy's latest novel is packed as usual with wonderful characters...Full of warmth, caring and commonsense.
— CHOICE -
Good-hearted [and] entertaining . . . [Heart and Soul] reflects a pervasive generosity of spirit [and] offers many honest pleasures.
— The Washington Post -
Sweet indulgence. . . . Heart and Soul is a delicious delight.
— Las Vegas Review-Journal -
Heart and Soul is a pleasant escape into an entertaining fantasy world across the ocean. . . . [Binchy] once again paints a delightful picture of Ireland that elevates the everyday joys and tragedies of her characters to ones of pure romance.
— Woodbury Magazine -
A new Maeve Binchy novel is always welcome. . . . Binchy has a true gift of creating characters we either know or wish we knew . . . Heart and Soul creates a perfect escape.
— The Plain Dealer -
At the end of a long week, a long winter, a long economic downturn, [Maeve Binchy’s Heart and Soul is] exactly what we need.
— Minneapolis Star Tribune -
Warm and comfy. . . . Reading Heart and Soul is not unlike getting a hug from your mother.
— The Globe and Mail (Toronto) -
Oh, the bliss. . . . Maeve's back, on top form.
— The Times (London) -
[Maeve Binchy] knows how to fashion a minor drama into a crisis, and the book rattles along from one gripping story to another, leaving the reader with a satisfying glow. . . . It does exactly what it says on the tin: gives heart and soul.
— Daily Mail -
[Heart and Soul] brings together the secret hopes and dreams of a disparate group of characters . . . with [Binchy's] trademark warmth and empathy.
— Irish Sunday Independent -
Maeve Binchy's latest novel is packed as usual with wonderful characters. . . . Full of warmth, caring and commonsense.
— CHOICE
Heart and Soul Listener Reviews
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" I'm reading this on my kindle so I'm not sure what page I'm on : ) Just beginning chapter 2 this morning "
— Fran, 2/20/2014 -
" This is a totally forgettable piece of fluff. I had to push myself to finish it. I enjoy light reading when it's funny and engaging, but this was just not good. "
— Deborah, 2/15/2014 -
" So many things I wish I had said to others beautifully illustrated here. "
— Wulffgang, 2/14/2014 -
" I loved this book! I like how she includes characters from other books but some I felt like I knew they were in another book but couldn't remember the storyline. But I like that is done in a way that if you haven't read her other books it really doesn't matter. "
— Jodi, 2/11/2014 -
" One of the best of Binchy. A comforting story with likeable characters, as most of her books are. "
— Mary, 2/7/2014 -
" I always enjoy Binchy's characters - they're well drawn, flawed, heroic, interesting, likable...another keeper "
— Lee, 2/3/2014 -
" Great story! Incorporates characters from previous books (Evening Class, Scarlett Feather, Quentins, and Whitethorn Woods) but it is not necessary to read those first. "
— Regan, 1/29/2014 -
" It was a light and easy read. Good enough to want to finish but almost boring. "
— Felicity, 1/14/2014 -
" Cativanting story with all the elements of a great novel for a light read. "
— Vanessa, 1/7/2014 -
" If you've read Evening Class, Quentin's, Scarlett Feather, Nights of Rain and Stars, and Whitethorn Woods, you'll know some of the characters in this novel about a heart clinic in Dublin. Each chapter centred on a character, but others came into the story all through it. Very enjoyable. "
— Lorraine, 12/29/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this one "
— Dina, 12/18/2013 -
" This is pretty typical Maeve Binchey. She is a great story teller, even if many of her story lines are repetitive in all of her work. This was a fun, light read. Perfect to read on my plane ride home from San Francisco. "
— Catherine, 12/12/2013 -
" I think the sign of a good book is one that leaves you wanting more. This usually applies to anything by Maeve Binchy. I found myself still thinking about her characters a couple of days later. I always look forward to her next book. "
— Nancye, 11/12/2013 -
" Fun, warm and comforting. I love the way she interweaves all these episodic stories and characters to form a picture of a specific locale. I wish I more clearly remembered the stories of the characters who recurred in this one from other books, but I was definitely happy to see them again. "
— Lora, 11/6/2013 -
" As usual with Maeve Binchy, just a nice story with interesting characters. Easy read. "
— Sandy, 10/19/2013 -
" This wasn't my favorite Maeve Binchy book, but as always, her writing is entertaining. I like being able to "catch up" with past characters (from previous books). "
— Julie, 4/11/2013 -
" A very nice read. I got to catch up with some old friends while meeting new ones. "
— Ruth, 3/3/2013 -
" relaxing, lovely read....good to cozy up with on a wintery afternoon. Maeve Binchy brings you into another world:) "
— Jan, 1/7/2013 -
" Loved it- Always love her characters! "
— Merri, 9/15/2012 -
" Wonderful portrayal of characters interacting while working at a new medical facility, They seem as real as our own personal friends. Dr. Clara Casey must deal w/ two adult daughters living at home, an ex husband and all of her staff at the new clinic. "
— Marti, 7/25/2012 -
" Charming book centering around a group of people connected to a heart clinic. Maeve Binchy does a great job of describing Dublin and developing a variety of characters of all ages. "
— Coleen, 7/2/2012 -
" Always enjoy her books... makes me feel I'm in the British Isles. "
— Sonya, 5/17/2012 -
" I was immediately drawn in and instantly reminded of why I love Maeve. "
— Frynsg, 3/17/2012 -
" I enjoy the way Ms Binchy weaves all of her characters, including characters from previous books, into her stories. "
— Lpage1479, 1/31/2012 -
" A story that weaves several Irish characters together. An interesting read, typical of this author. "
— Mary, 1/8/2012 -
" Yes, I couldn't put it down, and yes, the characters were all disgustingly likeable, but for some reason the story just seemed more shallow than I would have expected. "
— Allison, 10/4/2011 -
" The author develops a lovely story around families and what makes us special and different in our own ways. A interesting touch of how every family influences the lives of there children "
— Elenio, 7/31/2011 -
" Very nice book. The characters are coming to life! "
— Monique, 7/4/2011 -
" Another great book from Maeve Binchy. "
— Jenthomas, 6/14/2011 -
" I'll be a sucker for Maeve til the day she stops writing. "
— Jilly, 5/19/2011 -
" Maeve Binchy never disappoints. A feel good story of likable people. References were made to characters in former books. I wish I had remembered them! This was a nice easy listen. "
— Lori, 4/30/2011 -
" I truly enjoy how Maeve Binchy connects so many lives into a wonderful story. "
— Stephanie, 4/24/2011 -
" Fast read with great, believable characters. As always, I love the Irish setting and culture and the way Binchy weaves the lives of her characters into a cohesive community. "
— Elizabeth, 4/12/2011 -
" This wasn't my favorite Maeve Binchy book, but as always, her writing is entertaining. I like being able to "catch up" with past characters (from previous books). "
— Julie, 4/11/2011 -
" Like Whitethorn Woods, Heart and Soul is a heartwarming collection of interrelated stories centered around a heart clinic in Ireland. Told with the Irish gift of story telling, I fell in love with the characters and their real-life issues, passions, and dreams. "
— Laura, 3/30/2011 -
" A very nice read. I got to catch up with some old friends while meeting new ones. "
— Ruth, 3/27/2011 -
" I can't think of any book by Maeve Binchy I haven't enjoyed. "
— Maggie, 3/19/2011 -
" I love Maeve Binchy. Her books are warm, friendly and thoroughly enjoyable. She has a way of introducing a myriad of characters without confusion, a trick most authors cannot accomplish . "
— Melanie, 3/11/2011
About Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy (1940–2012) was the author of numerous bestselling books, including Minding Frankie, Heart and Soul, Whitethorn Woods, and Circle of Friends, as well as Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. She contributed to Gourmet; O, The Oprah Magazine; Modern Maturity; and Good Housekeeping, among other publications. Married to Gordon Snell, she lived in Dalkey, Ireland, until her death in July 2012 at the age of seventy-two, shortly after finishing A Week in Winter.
About Sile Bermingham
Sile Bermingham began her acting career in theater in her native Dublin before moving to New York to attend HB Studios. Theater credits include Loot, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe, Remembrance, A Touch of the Poet, A Woman of No Importance, and Crimes and Crimes, among many others. An avid reader and lover of stories, Sile has read the works of Maeve Binchy, Cecilia Ahern, and Joanne Harris.