Another Maeve Binchy novel that brings a few hours of respite from the real world. The story takes place in the neighborhood of St. Jarlath's Crescent. Characters from previous Binchy novels live there as do some new characters. The primary characters are a baby girl whose mother dies during her birth and the baby's the father, who lives with his parents in St. Jarlath's Crescent and learns he's the father days before the baby is born. The story tells all that happens in St. Jarlath's Crescent, including how the "haven't got a clue" boy becomes a true father, during the baby's first year. ( )

Frankie va a nacer en una familia muy especial. Su madre está desesperada por encontrar a alguien que la cuide, pero tiene muy poco tiempo. Noel no parece el padre ideal aunque, quizá, es la mejor opción para la niña. En cuanto a Lisa, la joven está dispuesta a renunciar a todo con tal de conseguir al hombre que quiere porque está convencida de que la corresponderá. Sin embargo Moira no piensa aceptar esta situación. Ella sabe lo que más le conviene a Frankie y además tiene toda la autoridad para decidir sobre su vida... pero Moira también esconde secretos de su propia vida. Bajo el cielo de Dublín es la historia de unas familias poco convencionales, de relaciones que no son lo que parecen y de una niña pequeña que está en el corazón de todos.

Maeve Binchley is one of my most favorite authors and yet I have only read Circle of Friends. I loved this one so much more. Minding Frankie kept making me think of Hillary Clinton's book, It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.

The child is Frankie and her parents were very different. Her mother was dying of cancer and made an arrangement for the child to be delivered when she was very close to death. Stella was very pretty and but promiscuous. Stella wanted her daughter to have a least one good parent and not have to suffer orphanage care. She contacted one of the men that she had a fling with in the past and invited him to where she was on her deathbed and told him that he was the father and she wanted him to raise the baby who was already named Frankie.

That man was Noel, an alcoholic batchelor barely hanging on to his boring job. His parents had wanted him to be a priest but he had no interest in religion and quit school. Around this same time, a much older cousin in America wrote his parents that she was retiring and would be coming for a visit. That woman, Emily is my most favorite character. Emily, is smart, very organized, personavle and very caring. Emily knits together a vast array of characters and makes sure that Frankie is well cared for by most of the people she meets. Emily made the book magical for me. ( )

6 CDs - 7 hours

A wonderful world populated by great characters. A place you don't want to leave. Filled with hope, a terrific read in this troubling time. Sile Bermingham is a lovely narrator, creating a relaxing comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommend. ( )