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43 pages 1 hour read

A Week in Winter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012

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Book Brief

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Maeve Binchy

A Week in Winter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Coastal Ireland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In A Week in Winter, various characters converge at Stone House, a guest house in the fictional Irish coastal town of Stoneybridge, owned by Chicky Starr. The novel, structured as interconnected short stories, explores themes of self-acceptance and personal transformation as each character navigates their own struggles and intersects with others' lives. This novel contains references to domestic abuse, drug use, murder, and suicide.

Heartwarming

Inspirational

Hopeful

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

81,758 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Maeve Binchy's A Week in Winter is celebrated for its warm, engaging storytelling and richly drawn characters who intertwine during a transformative week at a coastal Irish inn. While some readers appreciate the comforting, heartwarming narrative, others feel the plot lacks depth and momentum. The novel offers a cozy, albeit predictable, escape into Binchy’s charming world.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Week in Winter?

A reader who enjoys cozy, character-driven stories with intertwining lives in a charming setting would love Maeve Binchy's A Week in Winter. Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher's The Shell Seekers and Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford will appreciate the warmth, strong sense of community, and heartwarming resolutions.

4.1

81,758 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Chicky

The protagonist who connects all the stories, known by her chosen name rather than her birth name, and serves as a nurturing figure at Stone House.

A character who adopts a new name to reinvent himself, moving from a troubled past to finding his place in a small coastal village.

A modern and tech-savvy young woman whose experiences contrast with the traditional ways of the rural setting and who protects Stone House's interests.

A professional woman navigating a new relationship alongside a challenging dynamic with her partner's mother, while maintaining optimism.

An actor living under an assumed name who grapples with the tension between his cultivated public persona and his true self.

A married couple who face significant trauma while maintaining a strong partnership and seeking a path to healing.

A professional tourist initially disconnected from the setting's natural allure, who finds inspiration through music and personal growth.

A married couple known as "The Walls," who share a penchant for entering contests, symbolizing their resilient partnership.

A character resistant to forming connections, often described as antagonistic and trapped by her own emotional barriers.

A character with supernatural insight, navigating personal struggles and finding renewal through new friendships and acceptance.

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Coastal Ireland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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