Product Description

Every table at Quentins restaurant has a thousand stories to tell: tales of love, betrayal and revenge, of hope and despair. The staff who come and go have stories of their own, and the restaurant itself has had times when it looked set fair for success and others when it seemed as if it must close in failure. Ella Brady wants to make a documentary about the renowned Dublin restaurant that has captured the spirit of a generation and a city in the years it has been open. In Maeve Binchy's magical QUENTINS you will meet new friends and old: the twins from SCARLET FEATHER, Signora from EVENING CLASS, Ria from TARA ROAD - and a host of fresh faces. There is Monica, the ever-cheerful Australian waitress, and Blouse Brennan, whose simplicity disguises a sharp mind and a heart of gold. The whole place is presided over by the apparently imperturbable Patrick and Brenda Brennan, who have made Quentins such a legend. But even they have a story and a sadness which is hidden from the public gaze. As Ella uncovers more of what has gone on, she wonders about the wisdom of bringing it to the screen. Are there some stories which are too sacred to be told? Should the restaurant keep its secrets?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #429223 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 345 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Maeve Binchy delivers a timely and topical tale on the fickle nature of docu-soaps in Quentin's in an age where everyday people are becoming overnight celebrities via the medium of television,. Ella Brady is a documentary film-maker who wants to bring the tale of the eponymous Dublin restaurant to the screen. Quentin's has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years and has become the meeting point for a lot of characters, including some familiar faces from previous Binchy novels. As Ella makes more and more headway with her documentary, the secrets, betrayals and stories of love that emerge make her question whether or not she wants to bring the tale of Quentin's to the screen after all; especially as she is also forced to confront a devastating dilemma from her own past.

Regarded by many as the true queen of the romantic Irish drama, Binchy has once again produced another fine page-turner that will please her army of loyal fans and hopefully win her many more. She has a real eye for character and exploring the often painful choices people are forced to make in their everyday lives. This is a tale of normal people, ordinary folk and the heartaches that have made them who they are. Fans will welcome the return of some familiar Binchy characters and Ella is a strong, likeable heroine, a woman who, in exploring the lives of these people, is forced to consider some choices she has made in her own life. So make a reservation at Quentin's, sit back and relax--you'll be in very good company. --Jane Warren

Review
You Magazine MAIL ON SUNDAY - 2,000 word extract & off-the-page offer torun 18 August. SUNDAY EXPRESS Magazine - New short story by Maeve to run early September. WOMAN'S WEEKLY - New short story by Maeve & off-the-page promo offer to run in issue on sale 6 August (shelf-life 6 weeks). WOMAN'S OWN - New short story by Maeve with giveaway to be serialised over 2 issues: 2 Sept on sale 27 Aug & 9 Sept on sale 3 Sept. With TV advertising.. SAINSBURY'S Magazine - Feature by Maeve on changing face of Dublin through restaurants for September issue , on sale 23 August. FAMILY CIRCLE, WOMAN & HOME - Reviews in September issue. THAT'S LIFE - New short story for Christmas issueTHE EXPRESS - My Therapy slot to run week of 19 August INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAYHow we Met with Douglas Kennedy REVIEWS: 'Absorbing and delightful...In pinning down the humdrum and the ordinary - debts, the drama of a busy kitchen, awedding, the ache of childlessness - Binchy makes the point that the profound shift in emotion or spirit can take place while peeling potatoes or waitressing in a restaurant. Her multitude of eaders stuck doing much the same instinctively feel this'Elizabeth Buchan, SUNDAY TIMES 'All the warmth, humour andinsights you expect from Maeve Binchy's writing are here' CHOICE 'Full of cha

About the Author
Maeve Binchy was born in Dublin and came to fame first as London Correspondent for the Irish Times. Her first novel, LIGHT A PENNY CANDLE, made her famous in the UK and USA. She lives in Dublin with her husband, Gordon Snell.

Customer Reviews

Thank you for writing.........!
I discovered earlier this year that Maeve Binchy was writing another book and I was delighted!
Again, I had my partner camped outside the book shop on the day of publication and once he brought 'Quentins' home that was the last he saw of me for the next couple of days whilst I disappeared back into the world surrounding Tara Road!
I certainly wasn't disappointed (well, only when the book ended!)
It was so easy to absorb myself back into Maeve Binchy's style and it was wonderful to catch up with some of the characters from previous novels.
Pull up a chair, make a pot of tea and settle down to a wonderful read!

Another Binchy winner
Quentins was a great surprise to me because I had heard that Scarlet Feather would be Ms Binchy's final book. I'm so glad that either I was misinformed or the author decided to surprise her fans with another book. I enjoyed this one very much and as she always does, Ms Binchy makes us care about the characters she creates. There are really very few contemporary authors that make the reader want to know what happens to the characters beyond the final page. What makes Quentins a particular delight is the reappearance of characters from Scarlet Feather, Tara Road and Evening Class. In spite of her likeability, I was prepared to become very cross with Ella, the main character in Quentins, but in the end, she does the right thing and made me want to stand and cheer her gumption. I've always preferred Ms. Binchy's earlier books set in the 50's - they seemed to have more depth and complexity than the later books, but in spite of that, I give Quentins five stars for an entertaining and very satisfying read.

The Best Maeve Binchy to date !
What a fantastic book , I have enjoyed all Maeve Binchy previous novels but this is the best yet . It is based around a Dublin Restaurant and follows the life of Ella Brady who is making a film about the restaurant. The main story follows Ella , but the book also has mini stories of some of the staff , people who have eaten in the restaurant & friends & family of Ella. I could not put this book down & finished it in 2 days . If you want a book that makes you feelgood, smile & cry this is the one.