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Whitethorn Woods (Abridged) Audiobook, by Maeve Binchy Play Audiobook Sample

Whitethorn Woods (Abridged) Audiobook

Whitethorn Woods (Abridged) Audiobook, by Maeve Binchy Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jenny Sterlin Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739342268

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

90

Longest Chapter Length:

05:47 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:26 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:03 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

21

Other Audiobooks Written by Maeve Binchy: > View All...

Publisher Description

“WHITETHORN WOODS is Binchy’s best read in a decade . . . Few contemporary novelists match Binchy’s gift for giving us the world through her characters’ eyes.” –The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Maeve Binchy once again brings us an enchanting book full of the wit, warmth, and wisdom that have made her one of the most beloved and widely read writers at work today. When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, everyone has a passionate opinion about whether the town will benefit or suffer. But young Father Flynn is most concerned with the fate of St. Ann’s Well, which is set at the edge of the woods and slated for destruction. People have been coming to St. Ann’s for generations to share their dreams and fears, and to speak their prayers. Some believe it to be a place of true spiritual power, demanding protection; others think it’s a mere magnet for superstitions, easily sacrificed. Not knowing which faction to favor, Father Flynn listens to all those caught up in the conflict, and these are the voices we hear in the stories of Whitethorn Woods–men and women deciding between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future, ordinary people brought vividly to life by Binchy’s generosity and empathy, and in the vivacity and surprise of her storytelling. Maeve Binchy is at the very top of her form in this irresistible tale.

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"I found this book to be a "cozy" read. That's how I've felt about other books by her that I've read. In this one she combines old Irish superstition and the modern day world in such a way that I continually had to remind myself that the story was current. It had a feeling of being much further in the past. All of the various stories were tied up meatly by the end."

— RuthG (4 out of 5 stars)

Whitethorn Woods Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.4390243902439024 out of 53.4390243902439024 out of 53.4390243902439024 out of 53.4390243902439024 out of 53.4390243902439024 out of 5 (3.44)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 15
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you are a Courtenay fan , this is sure to please. "

    — Paula, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like her writting style ok book so many difeerent characters in this one you wnated to know more about them but because it only gave a chapter to each you where left wanting more - hoever I did enjoy this not as good as my fave MB book evening class "

    — Thea, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " In today's hectic world I always find reading Binchy books very relaxing. "

    — Bonnie, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Sadly, this isn't the Maeve Binchy that I knew and loved. "

    — Wendy, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Best book I've read in 40 years. Characterization and development, story line, plot development and the mixing of various characters is astounding... a Symphony of the Written Word! Highly recommended. "

    — Rocky, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Lovely short stories from the visitors and inhabitants of Rossmore a town changing with the times. The stories as a whole tell the history and present of the community and its environs, with overlapping themes, events and people. More good Maeve storytelling. "

    — Doti, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Maeve Binchy can spin a tale like no one else can. She takes common everyday people and makes them full of life. "

    — Melissa, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My first experience of Maeve Binchy, the characterisation was great and the story gently interesting, but it didn't grip me ( I guess its not really supposed to. I sometimes found my mind wandering. Well structured, well written but not for me. "

    — John, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " i love maeve binchy. in this book (as in most of hers)she does such an amazing job of developing tons of different characters to such a level that most authors struggle to do with one or two main characters. "

    — Beckynovacek, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed reading the short stories but by the end I had enough. "

    — Kat, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I gave up on this book3/4 way through, not the maeven binchy that I liked!!!! "

    — Joy, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this one. Am waiting for the next in the series. "

    — Barbie, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Entertaining enough to keep your attention...a little sappy. "

    — Emma, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " First book I read of hers. I became a fan. "

    — Wendolyn, 10/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Hokey collection of stories with small town in Ireland as location as connecting theme. Still a enjoyable read. "

    — Maureen, 10/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love any book by Maeve..wasn't disappointed with this one either! "

    — Amy, 7/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not the Maeve Binchy I remembered. Although some of the stories were intriguing, there were too many seemingly unrelated accounts of too many characters to keep track of. "

    — Suzy, 7/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Yet another group of people you would like to meet. "

    — Beckie, 1/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Such a nice story. Loved the characters "

    — Jeri, 1/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Many different characters that eventually get tied in together. Like her writing style. "

    — Carrie, 10/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Maeve always gets five stars. Love every word she ever wrote. RIP "

    — Eve, 8/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting characters, but not a lot of substance to this book. I do like the Irish back drop and setting. "

    — Kelly, 7/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fun, easy listen for a long drive. "

    — Lindsey, 1/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I started reading this in Deinze, Belgium, when Marleen borrowed it for me from the local library. I finished it last week, and I love the style of writing in this book - several little stories of seemingly unrelated people all pulled together at the end. "

    — Darla, 12/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this one b/c my friend gave me 2 by her. I love the interweave of characters here. Again, like her other book, some implausible plot lines, but fun and enjoyable. Easy, quick read. "

    — Todd, 12/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Book on tape. Fun short stories. "

    — Brenda, 10/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a great book. Each person has a chapter and are intertwined around the shrine in Whitethorn Woods. A good read and a happy ending! "

    — B., 5/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book is really a collection of short stories that are supposed to be interrelated. Some are but there is such a cast of characters it was hard to keep track of eveyone. I felt it was not as good as her other books. "

    — Madeline, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I haven't read Binchy in a long time. I must say this will not be my favorite! A LOT OF CHARACTERS!! Didn't really all tie in at the end. "

    — Lisa, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a lovely light book. It is filled with colorful characters and vivid description. Set in Ireland it leaves a nice 'taste'. I recommend it between your more 'serious' reads. "

    — Annette, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good read but it's basically a group of short stories, most having to be read in pairs, and not a novel. "

    — Gina, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's the usual Maeve Binchy, nothing of major substance but enjoyable for a quick read. Told in a series of personal sketches all revolving around a well that is rumored to be protected by St. Ann who will grant your wishes if you pray or visit. Life in Ireland in a set of snapshots. "

    — Stacy, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Crafted in an interesting manner, sort of a series of vignettes that all intertwine together and center on one town. Well done in Binchey's beloved manner of writing. You are drawn into the stories and forget for a moment that you are not yourself a resident of the Irish towns she writes about. "

    — Karrie, 4/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing probably is too high a rating; but, since I love all of her books, that is what I gave it. This book, like many of hers, is more a collection of short stories with characters and place(s) connected. "

    — Jane, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love Maeve Binchy, but this was my least favorite of her books. "

    — Kim, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I actually did enjoy this book, and I would give certain sections of it five stars, but the ending of this book was really boring, as well as it the beginning so that reduced the books rating! Everything in between was spectacular though! "

    — Dajana, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I usually love Maeve Binchy, but this one was just ok. "

    — Shauna, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Can be a bit frustrating for those memory detail challenged, but with each chapter about a character and giving their story and perspective, it comes together very nicely towards the end. It's one that you can't wait to finish to see what happens, and delightfully it's not a predictable ending! "

    — Wendy, 4/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Like her other novels, this one describes a great set of characters, and follows them through different problems in a small town in Ireland. <br/> "

    — Kay, 3/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Typical Maeve Binchey. I liked reading about so many different people with some very loose or significant connections. Some of the stories were more captivating than others, some of them very dark. Overall, it was intriguing and I enjoyed the book. "

    — Lachell, 3/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Right now, I'm not sure whether I'll finish this book. To me, it seems to not get going in a way, which makes it rather boring. "

    — Mia, 3/10/2011

About Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy (1940–2012) was the author of numerous bestselling books, including Minding Frankie, Heart and SoulWhitethorn Woods, and Circle of Friends, as well as Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. She contributed to GourmetO, The Oprah MagazineModern 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 Jenny Sterlin

Jenny Sterlin, winner of several Earphones Awards, has more than ninety audio titles to her credit, including Laurie R. King’s popular Sherlock Holmes / Mary Russell series. Before beginning her narration career, she helped found England’s experimental Living Theatre.