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  • Firefly Summer

  • By: Maeve Binchy
  • Narrated by: Kate Binchy
  • Length: 23 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (517 ratings)
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Firefly Summer cover art

Firefly Summer

By: Maeve Binchy
Narrated by: Kate Binchy
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Summary

"Firefly Summer is warm, humorous, sad and happy. Reading it is a joy" ( Irish Independent )

In the summer of 1962, an American millionaire arrives in a small, sleepy Irish town with far-reaching consequences.

For the children of the Ryan family, the long hot summers are usually spent playing in the ruins of a large, abandoned house. But when the American, Patrick O'Neill, buys the ruins, dreams are made and broken and secrets which should never be revealed are betrayed.

Firefly Summer tells interlocking stories of love lost and won during four fateful years in the life of a close-knit Irish community.

©1987 Maeve Binchy (P)2010 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"Totally engrossing....Unforgettable....An absolutely grand story....A lyrical and compelling family drama....Mountfern and its residents come vibrantly alive." ( The Plain Dealer)
"The secrets hidden behind lace curtains, a young girl's first kiss, children's summer games, unexpected pregnancies, sudden deaths. She makes us feel as if we also know the place and the people....One of those good, old-fashioned stories that are as comfortable and comforting as home itself." ( The Philadelphia Inquirer)

What listeners say about Firefly Summer

Average customer ratings
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Firefly Summer - A Must Read

What a great book a must read for Maeve Binchy fans. I loved the story and I loved the narrator as Kate Binchy narrates in the lovely Irish lilt which adds to the sheer enjoyment.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Vintage Maeve Binchy

Would you consider the audio edition of Firefly Summer to be better than the print version?

I think the audio edition is a perfect way to enjoy this book which has many characters and spans four years.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character in the book is Mrs Ryan who is a hard working republicans wife with four young children. As the story develops she has to deal with and overcome many problems.

What about Kate Binchy’s performance did you like?

Kate Binchy's narration is excellent. She has a broad Irish accent but is very easy to follow. She develops each individual character well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a long book so took me a while to finish but I always looked forward to getting back to it.

Any additional comments?

If you are a Maeve Binchy fan you won't be dissapointed, and if you have not read her books before give this one a try.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good but disappointing ending

I really enjoyed this book but was surprised when it ended, I actually rewound it to check there wasn't something wrong and it'd skipped to the end! It just finishes when you expect there to be more. So apart from that I would recommend.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Mother & Daughter tour de force

Is there anyone left who has not fallen under the spell of the inimitable Maeve Binchy? I have, of course, already read everything she wrote but the added dimension brought to the stories by the narration of Kate Binchy raises them to perfection. The humanity and gentle humour of the writing is brought into sharp focus by Kate and from the moment that you step through the door into the world of Mountfern you will be drawn into the lives of all the characters coping with potential disruption to their way of life by the purchase of the ruined 'great' house by and American business man trying to get back to what he fondly imagines are his roots. The loves and losses, triumphs and disasters that follow and the creation of characters about whom you really care are the hall marks of this wonderful novelist whose books were once described as sitting down for a good gossip with a friend.

If you have not encountered her before you have a real treat ahead of you, if like me you have read the books then I would suggest that you will also find that the narration breathes a triumphant new life through the story for you.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fabulous Maeve Binchy at her best

Would you listen to Firefly Summer again? Why?

Yes it's a great story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Firefly Summer?

Some of the more shocking twists and turns .

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Too many to have favourites

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes...And I limited myself because I didn't want it to end

Any additional comments?

Can't praise it enough . A good down to earth story fabulous characters real life at its best. . Nothing smaltzy or predictable .

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A fun listen about life in a small Irish town

It's a lovely book to end a busy day with. I listen to it before I go to sleep. The story is easy to follow, the narrator's voice is pleasant and it's realistic enough not to be too sugary. It does take a while to get into, but if you stick to it, you'll be rewarded.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely story, yet with all the gritty bits

What made the experience of listening to Firefly Summer the most enjoyable?

Kate Binchy's narration is fantastic

What other book might you compare Firefly Summer to, and why?

The Casual Vacancy - good story with the gritty bits of death, serious injury and human frailty

What does Kate Binchy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Kate reads well, she gives voices to the characters that you recognise. I have listened to a few books via Audible now, and I think there is something special there wih Kate's reading. I am only downloading Meave Binchy books read by Kate at the moment - although I listened to a Week in Winter and enjoyed Caroline Lennon too!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Kate Ryan got hit by the JCB. I listen to the book walking the dogs, my knees went weak.

Any additional comments?

Oh dear, this has made me very lazy, I hardly read at all now. But, I can listen in the car, listen walking the dogs - places where you could not read - so I am multi tasking - using all my senses!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sad it is over

I loved it. Such a good listen. I am working my way through maeve binchys books with delight. Read so well by Kate binchy.
She captures the time and sense in 1960s Ireland

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding narrator

I've read Maeve Binchys books over the years and enjoyed everyone. Listening to this one has been a pure joy! Kate's read of the book put so much into it, her feeling and voices gave the story another dynamic, it was like listening to family life. Will certainly be listening to the rest!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another cracker by Maeve Binchy

Took me little longer to get into than some other Maeve Binchy books, but was worth sticking with! As usual some fantastic characters develop during this book, really enjoyed it!

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2 people found this helpful