New York Times BestsellerA tale of joy, heartbreak and hope, about a motherless girl collectively raised by a close-knit Dublin community.When Noel learns that his terminally ill former flame is pregnant with his child, he agrees to take guardianship of the baby girl once she’s born. But as a single father battling demons of his own, Noel can’t do it alone. Fortunately, he has a competent, caring … alone.
Fortunately, he has a competent, caring network of friends, family and neighbors: Lisa, his unlucky-in-love classmate, who moves in with him to help him care for little Frankie around the clock; his American cousin, Emily, always there with a pep talk; the newly retired Dr. Hat, with more time on his hands than he knows what to do with; Dr. Declan and Fiona and their baby son, Frankie’s first friend; and many eager babysitters, including old friends Signora and Aidan and Frankie’s doting grandparents, Josie and Charles.
But not everyone is pleased with the unconventional arrangement, especially a nosy social worker, Moira, who is convinced that Frankie would be better off in a foster home. Now it’s up to Noel to persuade her that everyone in town has something special to offer when it comes to minding Frankie.
“Joyful, quintessential Binchy.” —O, The Oprah Magazine
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This is definitely a character study of some interesting characters. There wasn’t much of a major plot but several sub plots that definitely kept my interest. I did absolutely enjoy it.
Love every book i have read by this author. A dive into a different culture with unforgettable characters
Love Maeve Binchy. Love how the American Aunt visited and changed everyone’s life- like Mary Poppins.
I LOVE Maeve Binchy’s books. I read them in-between the serious literature I otherwise read. They brighten my day. Her characters are so well developed that you feel they are neighbors and friends. Once I start one her books, I am compelled to finish it to find out what happens.
Really liked the community spirit.
I love Maeve Binchy’s writing and her character development and she did not let me down in this story. I enjoyed the story, but she got a little bogged down in developing too many characters that made the story drag a little. Still an enjoyable read.
I thought this book was very well written. I loved that it was a long involved saga with many interesting characters having major impact on the story. It was very true to life also with the many twists and turns of the plot and how that affected people’s lives. It is always unique when it takes place in another country also.
Maeve Binchy never fails!
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Everyone was a bit flawed which made them very real to me.
A marvelous story of how people can support each other.
Couldn’t put it down!
Maeve Binchy never wrote a book l didn’t love!
Mauve really knows how to grab your heart!
Somehow life was busy when Binchy’s last books were published, and I missed them. It’s been a long time since I’ve read one, and I enjoyed reading this one. I love seeing a community come together to help and support each other during the most difficult times, as well as during the most joyous times. Frankie is the small thread that binds the other characters together, but this book could have had various titles, based on several characters with dominant roles: Noel’s Nightmare; Lisa Grows Up; Emily: The Psychological Mary Poppins of St. Jarlath Crescent.
Make Binchy is simply one of the best. When I open one of her books, write the rest of the day off- I am in another world. You fall in love with her characters and want to live with them and help them!
“Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy
Loved the story… The difference one person can make in others lives…
every character made a difference to one or more of the other characters..
A Worthy Read… Another winner from Maeve Binchy
If you have not read (or listened to) this story, be sure to check it out.
I downloaded this audiobook from my state library..
I loved reading this book. Everytime I picked it up to read I was put back into the community on Dublin where I grew to know the very realistic character. It was nice to read about a town that came together to raise a child. It has more than that storyline, you get to know each character as Maeve delves into what’s going on in their lives too!
Maeve Binchy was one of a kind. Her characters are believable as if they were neighbours. No one will be disappointed reading her books.
A delightfully heart-warming story, typical of Maeve Binchy’s brilliance.