MAEVE BINCHY R.I.P.

Maeve Binchy, photo from Independent.ie

It was sad to hear on the news this morning that writer Maeve Binchy died last night. Much sympathy to her husband Gordon Snell and extended family. I didn't know her personally but she always came across as a sunny, warm, optimistic woman in interview. She was self-deprecating and often very funny as an interviewee.

And I loved her linked short story collection The Lilac Bus, which I read as a teenager. The skinflint character, Nancy Morris, whose meanness was so lovingly described, has stayed with me over the years.

Maeve was a truly international writer, she sold 42 million books worldwide. I just noticed lately that one of her books is on the bookshelf in Alf's house in the Aussie soap 'Home and Away'! That made me smile.

Years ago I reviewed the non-fiction book she wrote Aches and Pains, a funny, sweet book for sick people, for Galway Now magazine. She sent a thank you card to the magazine which was then forwarded to me. That's the type of writer she was - generous and grateful. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.