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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.

Read by Kate Binchy

(p) 2000 Audible Ltd©1982 Maeve Binchy Contemporary Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction War
All stars
Most relevant
The way it was read and the way it was written
I love the dramas

The story

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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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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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