Book Review: Nights of Rain and Stars

Maeve Binchy is one of the few authors whose books I will snatch up at thrift stores and willingly invest shelf space for. I've had this one, Nights of Rain and Stars, for several years now, just waiting for the right time to come along. Since I like to bring my own books for travel (I dread losing or damaging a library book), I packed this one for our spring break trip. It lived up to the Binchy name, but perhaps wasn't one of my favorite of her books. As always, Binchy managed to people an interesting landscape (this time a Greek village) with well-developed characters experiencing relational tensions.

A hodge-podge of tourists are gathered in the village taverna when bright lights from the harbor attract their attention. They helplessly watch as a tourist vessel burns, taking the lives of both villagers and tourists. Bound by the shared intensity of observing the tragedy, the vacationers become friends and linger to learn more about each other and the sad event. Elsa, a reporter from Germany, is attempting to get away from a soured relationship. David is fleeing persistent expectations to take over the family business. Thomas, a professor on sabbatical, is attempting to keep his relationship with his young son alive in spite of the distance and the threat of a new father-figure for the boy. Fiona is convinced that she and her boyfriend could make it in the tiny Greek village despite the misgivings of her friends and family.

While each character had an intriguing story, the plot seemed to amble at too slow a pace. Still, I think it was worth the time invested. I just wouldn't recommend it as a first introduction to Maeve Binchy's writing. I'd rather recommend Tara Road, or Quentins, or Minding Frankie. She excels far more when she writes with an Irish setting. She is a masterful storyteller and knows how to weave the lives of characters together to form a beautiful tapestry.