***SPOILER ALERT: do not read further if you have not finished ECHOES***

I just recently finished reading Maeve Binchy’s ECHOES. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great storylines and a host of memorable characters. I think I experienced just about every emotion there is while reading it!

While all the character in ECHOES were interesting, I developed a deep affection for Angela O’Hara, David Power, Clare O’Brien and Father Flynn. I was so happy to see Angela, after a lifetime of caring for and serving others, find love and companionship with Dick Dillon. Even though David and Clare came from very different backgrounds, I had high hopes that their love and commitment to each other would see them through the difficulties and problems of life in Castlebay.

David was such a likeable and admirable character. He was intelligent, sensitive and caring. That is why I was deeply disappointed when David so easily fell into an extramarital affair with Caroline Nolan, betraying Clare. The affair revealed a side of David that was immature, selfish, irresponsible and remarkably naïve. I was astonished with David’s lack of concern for Clare when he wanted to stay and comfort a frightened Caroline rather than return home to Clare who reportedly had the flu. (pages 448-452*) Granted, Clare was pretending to be sick, but still. So much for the dedicated doctor… And why did David try to contact Caroline after she moved back to Dublin? (pages 478-479*) Was he just being a gentleman, wanting to make sure that she was safe after leaving so precipitously? Or did he harbor hopes of continuing the affair somehow?

I also found David’s remorse after Gerry Doyle’s photographs revealed the affair a little less than fully genuine. First he rationalized the affair. He seemed to think since Clare had never asked him about his relationship with Caroline that somehow excused the affair. (page 484*) Then at Gerry Doyle’s funeral he wished that he could go back to before the pictures (page 484*). Was he wishing that he had never started the affair with Caroline? Or, was he just wishing that he hadn’t been caught?

OK, I’ve said it before on other threads and I’ll say it again here, I’m a hopeless romantic and proud of it. I love a happy ending. Barring a happy ending, I want an ending that is clear. Good or bad, I just want closure. At the end of ECHOES, David and Clare were at a crossroads. Did they reconcile or did they part? I can see it going either way, and that’s what troubles me. Their final decision is unclear. I would hope for reconciliation. Given David’s immaturity and Clare’s unfulfilled dreams of a college education and career, was a true and lasting reconciliation really possible? While David had found happiness as a physician in Castlebay, I don’t think that was the case with Clare. She was still very much a square peg in a round hole. Seen as too good for her own family and not good enough by David's. And, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, I have lingering doubts about the sincerity of David’s remorse.

*large paperback edition

I read this some years ago so may have to revisit it - I've enjoyed Maeve Binchy's writing -she seems to be able to get into the minutiae of people's lives and make them believable...

If you enjoy Maeve Binchy you may like Rosamund Pilcher, Adele Geras, Erica James, Amanda Brookfield, Sarah Challis

It's been years since I read a Maeve Binchy book ~ I am going toad this to my February to-read list. Merci!