Listen free for 30 days
-
Firefly Summer
- Narrated by: Kate Binchy
- Length: 23 hrs and 29 mins
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Firefly Summer
Buy Now for £18.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"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)
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about Firefly Summer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Elaine Calderwood
- 04-11-07
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mec
- 01-12-13
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 10-04-11
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- CantVal
- 08-09-13
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fae Howard
- 01-09-15
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 .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Priscilla
- 17-08-13
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- beverley whitby
- 23-06-13
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mill
- 29-04-20
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
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- N. Fail
- 14-11-15
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janet
- 23-12-12
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Linda
- 22-08-07
Inviting
Maeve Binchy pulled me right in from the opening paragraph. I couldn't help but feel that the characters were my own neighbours and friends. It was a delightful story and one which I would highly recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Ed
- 26-04-09
Okay but not memorable
A good solid 'read' with well developed characters that transported me into a time of enormous change around the world. I did look forward to turning it on, but then when it was all done, I didn't regret that there was no more.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Paula
- 20-10-07
Annoying
I found the narrator's voice very annoying. Especially when she talks in the childs voice. I actually turned the story off as I couldn't understand half of what she was saying. Personally I felt this download was a waste of money and I should read the book instead.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- M Kas
- 26-10-22
Loved it when I read it, enjoyed it again now.
Loved it when I read it, enjoyed it again listening to here. Worth a go.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Elizabeth
- 29-09-20
Love the book, HATE the American accents
I’ve listened to several of Maeve Binchy’s books and love Kate Binchy’s narration, but her American accents in this book are painful to listen to. Especially Rachel Fine, the refined Brooklyn Jewish designer who instead is given the voice and accent of central Missouri trailer trash. She’s done passable American accents in other books, so I’m not sure what happened here.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Sue
- 14-06-15
Outstanding
Would you consider the audio edition of Firefly Summer to be better than the print version?
Had not read print version
What other book might you compare Firefly Summer to and why?
Any Maeve story or Cathy Kelly or Erica James
Which character – as performed by Kate Binchy – was your favorite?
Eddy such a loveable character
Who was the most memorable character of Firefly Summer and why?
So many to choose from. They were all very intricate and each character had a great story to tell.
Any additional comments?
Loved the long story and feel very sad I've finished. I shall miss the whole of The Irish country town.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Penny Kavanagh
- 05-04-14
Not up to her standards
Is there anything you would change about this book?
The story wasn't exciting and there were too many characters
Would you be willing to try another book from Maeve Binchy? Why or why not?
I have listened to most of her books, but this one was disappointing.
What about Kate Binchy’s performance did you like?
She does a good job in changing her voice for the various characters.
Do you think Firefly Summer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
No please.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Marlene
- 20-01-14
very poor quality audio--read far to fast
How did the narrator detract from the book?
The narrator spoke far too quickly, mumbled, used irritating voices especially for the children. I couldn't listen at all.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda
- 29-05-13
Kate Binchy Is A Natural
Firefly Summer is one of those books that just takes me away. I am a huge Maeve Binchy Fan because I always feel like I am one of the gang. Kate Binchy's narration is nothing short of wonderful. I felt like closing my eyes and riding the wave.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!