Light a Penny Candle

by Maeve Binchy
Light a Penny Candle cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9225
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780099498575
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2006-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Evacuated from the Blitz-battered streets of London, young Elizabeth White finds herself in the lively and warm household of the O'Connor family in Ireland. The stark contrast between her genteel upbringing and the boisterous Irish family life initially causes friction, but soon, an unshakeable bond forms between Elizabeth and Aislind O'Connor. This novel beautifully captures the essence of friendship, love, and the enduring connections that shape our lives. /n/nSpanning over twenty years, the story of Elizabeth and Aislind is a poignant exploration of their individual journeys, the challenges they face, and the unwavering support they provide each other. The author's vivid descriptions and rich character development bring to life the landscapes and cultures of both England and Ireland, making this a compelling and heartwarming read.

Reviews
larable.co.uk · Lara · 2024-11-22
warming 4.00

The author's ability to convey character personality and social dynamics is excellent, making the book warming overall.

Lara praised Maeve Binchy's skill in portraying character personalities and social dynamics, which made Light a Penny Candle a warming and engaging read. They appreciated the depth of the characters and the way the social dynamics were woven into the story. While the majority of the book was heartwarming, Lara noted that there were some darker themes that added complexity to the narrative. The reviewer found the story to be a delightful exploration of friendship and love, with a satisfying conclusion.

Quick quotes

    The author's ability to convey character personality and social dynamics is excellent.

    Although the majority of the book is warming, themes of ...

    The author's ability to convey character personality and social dynamics is excellent.

chardasuuraj.com · Charda Suuraj · 2018-05-23
good 3.00

The novel is liked for its engaging characters and heartwarming story, but it did not leave a lasting impression.

Charda Suuraj enjoyed Light a Penny Candle for its well-developed characters and engaging narrative, which made it a pleasant read. However, they noted that unlike some of Binchy's other works, this novel did not leave a lasting impression. The reviewer appreciated the heartwarming and light-hearted tone of the story, which made it a satisfying read. While it was not a standout in Binchy's bibliography, it was still a enjoyable and engaging story.

Quick quotes

    Overall, I liked the novel.

    It did not leave a lasting impression on me.

    The characters were well-developed and engaging.

nishitak.com · Nishita K · 2011-02-17
enjoyable 3.50

The book is a very enjoyable page-turner with a heartwarming story of friendship. However, the ending feels abrupt and leaves many loose ends.

Nishita K found Light a Penny Candle to be one of Maeve Binchy's better works, praising its engaging narrative and the deep bond between the two main characters. They enjoyed the journey of the story but felt the abrupt ending was a letdown, leaving too many questions unanswered. The reviewer appreciated the warmth and wit in Binchy's writing, which made the characters feel real and relatable. Despite the satisfying exploration of friendship and love, the unresolved conclusion detracted from the overall experience.

Quick quotes

    One of Maeve Binchy's better books.

    Very enjoyable and a real page-turner.

    The ending was extremely abrupt and left a lot of loose ends.

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