Heart and soul

Review by Booklist Review

A Dublin hospital cardiac care center forms the figurative heart, and forges the symbolic soul, of Binchy's latest tour de force celebration of the simple blessings of a community whose joyous bonds are often eclipsed by the eccentricities of family and the improbable volatility of love. When Dr. Clara Casey becomes manager of the controversial and woefully unsupported outpatient clinic, she swiftly assembles a motley supporting staff of charismatic doctors, compassionate nurses, capable therapists, and clever assistants whose personal affairs of the heart are frequently more compelling and occasionally more cataclysmic than the physical infirmities presented by the actual patients. Whether it is a valiant young Polish girl on the lam from a ruinous love affair or a bumbling parish priest being pursued by a devious con artist, no one least of all Clara herself is immune from getting caught up in one of the daily mini-dramas that assail this dedicated group. Interweaving the domestic narratives of a dissimilar collection of individuals is beloved Binchy's stock-in-trade, and once again, she does so with sublime ease, inventively engaging readers through a reassuring and persuasive combination of gracious warmth, gentle humor, and genuine affection.--Haggas, Carol Copyright 2008 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Binchy delivers another delightful Binchyesque amalgamation of intersecting lives, this time centering on Clara Casey, a cardiologist whose marriage and career have fallen apart. After she accepts an undesirable post at St. Brigid's Hospital, Clara throws herself into work to forget the humiliation of her husband's many affairs, but it's difficult to escape her home life with two adult daughters who still depend on her as if they were children. Though she stands at the center of the book, Clara cedes the stage to others, such as Declan Carroll, a young doctor at the clinic trying to make a life for himself, and Ania, Clara's assistant, whose affair with a married man forced her to leave her Polish hometown. Beautiful, hardworking and humble, Ania attracts the attention of Carl Walsh, the son of one of the clinic's patients. And so it goes in this novel of intersecting lives that keeps daily drama interesting even when it occasionally sacrifices suspense for realism. In spite of a few dull moments, the collective, charming effect of these story lines suggests that individuals are more connected than they might think. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by Library Journal Review

The newly hired director of a cardiac-care center, Dr. Clara Casey is a strong character, who with great humor and panache manages life as a female medical professional and the single mother of two daughters. Crossing paths in the clinic or via clinic staff are Nora and Aidan Dunne, Father Bryan Flynn, Tom and Cathy Feather, and twins Simon and Maud, among others from various earlier Binchy novels (e.g., Evening Class). In keeping with tradition, several important dinners take place at Quentins restaurant. A nurse in Clara's clinic, Fiona Ryan has rebounded from the disastrous relationship portrayed in Nights of Rain and Stars, and a hard-working Polish immigrant named Ania overcomes her past and blossoms in her adopted country. The novel ranges far and wide, following some recurring characters to Greece, and it is always a comfort to catch up with familiar faces and meet new friends. Binchy fills the book with people finding true love, discovering their niche in life, and taking full advantage of second chances. Binchy's numerous fans will seek this out. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/08.]-Beth Lindsay, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A Dublin heart clinic, full of romantic and family crises in need of healing, provides the apt setting for Binchy's latest (Whitethorn Woods, 2007, etc.). St. Brigid's Hospital opens a cardiac clinic over the fiscal objections of administrator Frank Ennis. Directing the clinic isn't the big job Dr. Clara Casey wanted, and her mood isn't improved when long-estranged husband Alan turns up to say his girlfriend is pregnant and he wants a divorce. But soon Clara is enthusiastically involved in redecorating and hiring a crack staff, whose lives intertwine with those of the clinic's patients in the familiar Binchy landscape of overlapping stories. Young Dr. Declan and Nurse Fiona fall in love. Impoverished but multitalented aide Ania falls for Carl, whose father is an elderly patient. Ania also helps physical therapist Johnny's friend Father Flynn avoid an unmerited scandal; Binchy fans will enjoy the cameo appearances by this benevolent priest and numerous other characters from earlier books. Clara finally begins divorce proceedings against Alan and becomes romantically involved with a goodhearted, penny-pinching pharmacist. Clara's assistant Hilary, who can't bear to put a beloved but failing parent into a home, blames herself when her mother wanders off and is hit by a car. At the clinic's big fundraiser, Clara and still-shaky Hilary plot to match Clara's aimless daughter with Hilary's musician son. Meanwhile, Carl's snobbish mother attempts to drive a wedge between him and Ania, but he stands up to her. Declan's engagement to Fiona is tested when Fiona gets cold feet, but Declan's patience is rewarded. By the time we get to their wedding at Father Flynn's social center for immigrants, most of the singles have happily coupled off. Even Clara and her archenemy Frank dance the night away. Part of the fun is guessing who will show up in the next book. Binchy has her formula down pat, and only a curmudgeon could resist this master of cheerful, read-by-the-fire comfort. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Mountainview, despite its pleasant name, was one of the tough areas of Dublin. Some of the big estates were home to drug dealers and it wasn't a place to walk alone at night. The school had its ups and downs, but it was lucky enough to have a headmaster, Tony O'Brien, who could deal with toughness head-on. Some of the older teachers found the change difficult. Things used to be different. The place had been shabby but they'd had respect. The children came from homes where money was short, but they were all keen to make something of themselves. Today they only cared about money, and if someone's big brother was driving a smart car and wearing an expensive leather jacket, it was hard to get interested in having a job in a bank or an office where you might never make enough to have your own house or car and a leather jacket was just a dream. No wonder so many of them joined gangs. And as for respect? Aidan Dunne told his wife, Nora, all about it. Big fellows would push past you in the corridor and sort of nudge the books out of your hand. Then they would laugh and say that sir must be losing his grip. Aidan remembered when they would rush to pick up the books. Not now. Now they called him Baldy, or asked him if he remembered the First World War. It was the same with the women teachers. If they weren't married, some of the really rough fellows would ask them were they frigid or lesbian. If they were married, they would ask them how many times a night did they do it. "And what do you say?" Nora wondered. "I try to ignore them. I tell myself that they're only insecure kids like always--it's just they have a different way of expressing it. Still, it doesn't make the day's work any easier." "And how do the women cope?" "The younger ones are on top of it, they say things like, 'Oh, you'd never be able to satisfy me like my old man does,' or else that, sure, they are gay because the only alternative is horrible spotty boys with filthy fingernails." Aidan shook his head. "By the time I get to the classroom I'm worn out," he said sadly. "Why don't you give it up?" Nora said suddenly. She taught Italian at an evening class and organized a yearly outing to Italy for the group. She had several other small jobs, but she had no interest in money or pensions or the future. She sat in one of the basket chairs she had bought at a garage sale and tried to persuade Aidan to join her in this carefree lifestyle. But he was a worrier. It would be idiotic to leave his school now several years before retirement date. It would mean no proper pension; if he were to amount to anything he had to provide for Nora and his family from an earlier marriage. "Oh, you've well provided for them," Nora said cheerfully. "You've given Nell most of the money you got for the house, Grania is married to the headmaster of Mountainview School, Brigid has been made a partner in the travel agency. They should be providing for you, if you come to think of it." "But you, Nora, what about you? I want to look after you, give you some comfort and pleasures." "You give me great comfort and pleasures," she said. "But some security, Nora," he pleaded. "I never had security before, I don't want it now." "I have to finish out my time there." "Not if you don't like it. What about this lovely life we promised each other and we have mainly had?" "It depends on my having a good safe job, Nora," he said. "No--it doesn't. Not if it's making you worry, and panic about these louts. We don't need it, Aidan. Not if it's affecting your health." "It's not affecting my health," Aidan said firmly. A week later Aidan and Excerpted from Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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