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Light a Penny Candle

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Light a Penny Candle

By: Maeve Binchy
Narrated by: Kate Binchy
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About this listen

As a child, Elizabeth was sent from her war-torn, rather loveless home in London to stay with a big, boisterous family in a small town in Ireland. There she meets Aisling, and begins what becomes a long-lasting friendship.

Over the next 20 years, Aisling and Elizabeth's paths will cross and re-cross. As they face their loves, their marriages, and their disappointments, they realise that not all problems will be solved, nor all wishes granted by lighting a penny candle.

©1982 Maeve Binchy (P)2000 Audible Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction War
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Always love her books. Gorgeous characters but the ending was a little abrupt and unsatisfying

Classic Maeve Binchy

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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.

Good but confusing

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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!

One of Maeve's most touching stories

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

Loved it but ....

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

not one of authors best

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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.

Very good read

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

Great book

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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.

Engaging story

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Usually her books leave you wondering in a harmless way but I didn’t like how this one ended really. All really nice but a bit frustrating!

I love Maeve Binchy but..

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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.

Took me through every emotion

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