Believe it or not Heart & Soul was my very first Maeve Binchy novel. But, I don't think it will be my last
What I really liked about this book was the way the story branches out into a million different directions, but are all connected back to the Heart Clinic. Which is really the heart & soul of the story.
Let me explain. Heart & Soul is the story of Clara Casey. And the heart clinic that she is responsible for getting off the ground. Essentially it was her idea. She is the primary doctor. She did all of the hiring of the staff, the designing of the clinic layout, she is the Heart & Soul of the heart clinic. Each of the chapters take you in a different direction with each of the employees at the clinic. From the young intern, Declan, to the Polish immigrant who has become one of the most valuable staff members. Even some of the patient's stories are told in the chapters, because they all circle together. And each story is different, but each story brings you back to the clinic.
Heart & Soul is a character study of what happens when lives connect at a place people go to everyday. Work. In this case "work" is a heart clinic. It could be your story that Maeve Binchy is telling. Take a look at the people you work with. Do you know their "story"? And if not, why not? Work can be so much more than a paycheck if you let it happen. What, or who, is the Heart & Soul of the place where you spend 40 (give or take) hours a week?
I think Maeve Binchy does that very well, and I tend to (not always) enjoy her books.
I've been thinking about reading this one; great review. I like your blog; you read some great books.
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