THIS YEAR IT WILL BE DIFFERENT

Short Stories & Anthologies General Fiction

By Maeve Binchy

Synopsis

Whilst the festive season may be magical for many people, it can also be a time of family difficulties and disappointment. In this collection of short stories, set over the Christmas period, the feelings of wives, husbands, children, friends and lovers cannot easily be hidden.

Sample Player

Narrator	Rosemary Graham
Length	7hrs
Catalogue No.	8241
Publisher	Orion

Other audiobooks by Maeve Binchy

CHESTNUT STREET

The lives of the residents of Chestnut Street are revealed in these wonderfully compelling tales: We hear about Bucket Maguire, the window cleaner, who must do more than he bargained for to protect his son; Melly, whose gossip about the neighbours leads to trouble and Lilian, the generous girl with a big heart, and the fiancé not everyone approves of, amongst others on the street.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

Benny and her best friend Eve have grown up in Knockglen, a sleepy small town in Ireland. When they are old enough, their one thought is to get to Dublin, to university and freedom. But it is in Knockglen that Benny and Eve's new friends will find passion, tragedy and the independence they yearn for.

THE COPPER BEECH

Eight children, whose lives began in Shancarrig school, keep their special memories although leading very different lives;

DUBLIN 4

This is a collection of four short stories bringing together the life stories of ordinary people, including a student facing the dilemma of unmarried pregnancy, a drunken photographer with a shattered career and a country girl savouring the delights of the city.

ECHOES

Growing up in a small Irish seaside town in the 1950s, Clare O'Brien and David Power shout into the echo cave, praying that their destiny will lead them faraway. Years later they meet again in Dublin, but eventually Castlebay will draw them back and it is against a backdrop of grey skies, sea-spray and wind that this drama of ambition, betrayal and love finally reaches its turbulent conclusion.

A FEW OF THE GIRLS

Maeve Binchy's wonderful stories give an insight into how Ireland has changed over the decades, but how people remain the same. They still fall in love, sometimes unsuitably, and they still have hopes and dreams. This is a collection of the very best of her stories, full of the warmth, charm and humour that has always been an essential part of her writing.

FULL HOUSE

Dee loves her children very much, but now they are all grown up, shouldn't they leave home? But Rosie, Helen and Anthony are happy where they are. It doesn't cost them anything, and surely their parents like having a full house? When a crisis occurs, Dee decides things have to change for the whole family... whether they like it or not. Quick Reads.

HEART AND SOUL

Clara Casey has more than enough on her plate. Her daughters Adi and Linda were no problem at all during the usually turbulent teens. Now in their 20s, Adi is always fighting for or against something; while Linda lurches from one unsatisfactory relationship to the next.

MAEVE'S TIMES

Maeve Binchy is well-known for her bestselling novels but for many years Maeve was a journalist, writing for the Irish Times. Arranged in decades, from the 1960s to the 2000s, and including Maeve's first and last ever piece of writing for the Irish Times, the columns also give a fascinating insight into the author herself.

MINDING FRANKIE

Noel and Lisa are among the most supportive parents at the nursery school. Never late to pick up their little girl, always patient and delighted to see her at the end of the day. But in fact neither of them are Frankie's parents. They have no blood relationship at all to this little girl.

NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS

Four strangers meet in a Greek taverna. They have all left their homes and old lives behind and have nothing in common until a shocking tragedy throws them unexpectedly together.

QUENTINS

Every table at Quentins has a thousand stories to tell. Love, betrayal, revenge, hope and despair - it's all on the menu. Ella Brady wants to make a documentary about Dublin's renowned restaurant, but as she starts to work she wonders if some of the stories are too sacred to be told.

SCARLET FEATHER

When Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather decide to create the best catering company in Dublin their families aren't as excited about the venture as they are. Through catering triumphs and disasters they strive to keep their personal relationships afloat.

STAR SULLIVAN

Star Sullivan just wanted everyone to be happy – but when the Hale family moved in next door, and Star saw 23-year-old Laddy Hale, everything began to change. Star was no longer the sweet, thoughtful girl everyone loved and no one worried about... Quick Reads

TARA ROAD

Irish Ria and American Marilyn become friends after a chance phone call. During a magical summer they swap houses and find themselves borrowing a little from each other's lives.

VICTORIA LINE, CENTRAL LINE

Millions of people travel on London's tube every day, yet we usually give our fellow passengers only a cursory glance. But each one of these nameless passengers has their own story to tell. With her characteristic mix of compassionate humour and biting realism, this vintage collection of stories is Maeve Binchy at her very best.

A WEEK IN WINTER

The Sheedy sisters had lived in Stone House for as long as anyone could remember. Set high on the cliffs on the west coast of Ireland, overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean, it was falling into disrepair - until one woman, with a past she needed to forget, breathed new life into the place. Now a hotel, with a big warm kitchen and log fires, it provides a welcome few can resist.

WHITETHORN WOODS

The town of Rossmore is a special place, full of character and charm. But a new bypass has been proposed and the people are divided. The road will go right through Whitehorn Woods and the well dedicated to St Ann, thought by some to have spiritual properties. The decision rests on Neddy Nolan - the most honest man in Rossmore. A man determined to do the right thing...