Lilac Bus
The acclaimed novelist Maeve Binchy, married to children's writer Gordon Snell, has died at age 72, following a short illness. Her death was announced last night by Vincent Browne on his show. She sold over 40 million copies worldwide and became one of Ireland’s most beloved writers; her novels were translated into 42 languages. She hit it big across the pond when she was featured as a New York Times Bestseller and Oprah's Book Club. Her work was that highly respected it was adapted for the big screen, namely the 1995 film ‘Circle of Friends’ and ‘Tara Road’.
She was born in Dalkey in Dublin and studied at University College Dublin. Her career began as a teacher and then moved on to becoming a journalist, columnist and finally an editor at The Irish Times.
She initially worked as a teacher before becoming a journalist, columnist and later women's editor at The Irish Times. She then moved to London and continued her work on a paper.
Her earliest works were based on London and Dublin and her first novel Light A Penny Candle, which hit our shelves in 1982 was an instant hit with readers. Her writing became synonymous with themes of family, relationships and humour.
She decided to take retirement in 2012, however her writing did not cease as she went on to publish ‘Minding Frankie’ in 2012.This was a notable year for the popular author as she received a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Book Awards.
The author was rated more highly than the likes of Austen, Dickens and King on the 2000 poll for World Book Day and will be considerably missed by her dedicated fans.
Her novels included:
Light a Penny Candle (1982), Echoes (1985), Firefly Summer (1987), Silver Wedding (1988), Circle of Friends (1990), The Copper Beech (1992), The Glass Lake (1994), Evening Class (1996), Tara Road (1998), Scarlet Feather (2000), Quentins (2002), Nights of Rain and Stars (2004), Whitethorn Woods (2006), Heart and Soul (2008), Minding Frankie (2010).
Female First Lucy Walton