FAREWELL, MAEVE BINCHY
The beloved Irish author Maeve Binchey has died at the age of 72.
She was read by millions and regularly topped the best-seller lists (often to the despair of more high-brow literary types). Tara Road, Circle of Friends, Nights of Rain and Stars and more than a dozen more titles found a home on so many women’s bookshelves.
Born in Dublin, Maeve started her working life as a teacher before becoming a journalist at the Irish Times. She went on to publish short story collections before releasing her first novel, Light and Penny Candle, in 1982. Ultimately, she sold 40 million books worldwide.
Friendship, family life, love, heartbreak, redemption and the wonders of country life … these were the things Maeve celebrated in her writing.
Late last year she wrote a wonderful meditation on old age in the UK’s Daily Mail. In it she says growing old held no fears for her. In fact she found it a joyous time of life. She was a wise old owl, indeed.
“When I was a young girl, growing up near Dublin in the 1940s, I didn’t have any grandparents (they had all died before I was born), so I relied on older neighbours as an example of what old age might be like.
It wasn’t a positive view.
I believed that old people never laughed. I thought they sighed a lot and groaned. They walked with sticks, and they didn’t like children on bicycles or roller skates … or with big dogs.
They always said that things were different and better when they were young, and they seemed to have a negative view about our greedy generation, which wanted everything and wanted it now.
I thought it must be desperate to be old. To wake up in the morning and remember that you were ancient — and so behave that way. I thought old people were full of aches and pains and horrible illnesses.
And, of course, around us in newspapers and magazines today, people are always talking about Fighting Old Age. It seems to be a full-time job.
This cream keeps the signs of old age off your face; that conditioner restores a youthful bounce to your hair; this style of jacket is less ageing than another one. In other words, don’t let your neck be seen. It’s a dead give-away, and shows that you really are as old as the hills.
The only older heroes and heroines in this day and age are people such as Cliff Richard, Joan Collins and Jane Fonda who don’t look their age.
It’s as if looking your age is some kind of sad defeat. As if growing old is something to be hidden, dreaded and avoided.
No wonder so many people are filled with terror at the thought of reaching the grand old age of 70 — as I did in May this year.
But, truthfully, when you get there, it’s not like that at all. It’s just the same as it always was.
Seriously, why would I lie to you?
I suppose, to be fair, I don’t miss the energy of youth very much — because I was never fit. So it doesn’t matter not being able to walk miles, striding the countryside, taking deep breaths and enjoying the scenery. That was never on my agenda.
I suppose I would like to be sharper than I am, and stop forgetting names or the title of the film on television last night.
But there’s a sort of release about it in a way. Let it go; don’t fight it.
The name you’ve temporarily forgotten? It will come back. Or it will not come back. One way or the other, it doesn’t make a huge difference.
Nobody is judging you; they are not tut-tutting about you losing your memory. Usually they are too busy chasing the names and book titles that are escaping from their memories.
To me, growing older has never meant looking wistfully at fashion and thinking I am too old to wear that, or regretting the days of short skirts.
But then, in my youth, I was never into high fashion either. I was big — and in those days they made clothes for larger folk in navy or gun-metal grey. There was a great emphasis on not drawing attention to yourself.
So maybe I am luckier than those who were high-maintenance, glamour-puss people. They might have more to regret losing.
Still, they have the photographs to show that they were once contenders. So why worry?
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14 Responses to this article
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ally July 31, 2012
Loved reading her books – great article too. RIP Maeve.
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Jacqui July 31, 2012
How honest and real is that? I hope she had a happy life.
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commonsensegirlonline July 31, 2012
Oh, most definitely a woman after my own heart! I only have four more years to the magical 70, and I feel not a jot different to when I was 21, except for the freedom to say what I like, (because after all, I have SO much wisdom now), behave how I like (because if I don’t, I might miss out completely), and age how I like (because there are so many ways to do it well). I shall miss her writing and her obvious commonsense as was explicitly exhibited in that fine piece of writing.
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Margaret July 31, 2012
What a sad day. Just began Firefly Summer this week! I Discovered Maeve’s book several years back . So funny and touching at the same time. Her characters and story lines were so real with Maeve’s wisdom and expereince shinning through. Her writing style was refreshing and this is why I have read so many of her books. RIP Maeve and God Bless
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Dee-Anne July 31, 2012
Much too young to go. RIP. I hope she was at peace. I’m in my mid 50′s and take to heart her thoughts on aging. Thanks to the ‘Hollywood Factor’ it IS considered a dirty word and something to be feared. We do need more realistic older role models we can identify with as we gracefuly but determinedly grow into our older age.
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Red 60 July 31, 2012
Wonderful woman, wonderful life, Touched many by her words.
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Lynne July 31, 2012
Maeve’s books have brought me much joy over the years – I have loved her characters so much.
I equally love, love, love what she has to say here about ageing – so much wisdom…
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Sarah Boggs July 31, 2012
We don’t always think like this and it’s beautiful to be reminded. I am enjoying my life so much better now I am older and don’t have the responsibilities I had when I was younger.
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RobynMarie July 31, 2012
I cried when I heard the news, I’m crying as I write this. Reading Maeve Binchy books always took me away to a safe and happy place, where I felt a nice warm cup of tea was not too far away. Now don’t go disrespecting the quality of writting based on those words, thinking the books were simple and twee. No, the world is a sadder place without Maeve Binchy, make no mistake.
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carolyn July 31, 2012
Maeve’s writing will always remind me of a lovely comfy chair, a warm blankie, and my little dog resting on my lap as I am whisked away into her world- even for only a short respite from a busy life. RIP MB
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Mary333 July 31, 2012
It’s so sad that we won’t get to read any new Maeve Binchy stories. She wrote with such insight and compassion and this article is no exception. RIP
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HW July 31, 2012
There was always a tinge of sadness in finishing a Maeve Binchy novel, as I enjoyed spending time with the characters in the book so much. Maeve was a master of intertwining the lives of her characters and her books were always heartwarming and real. I’ll treasure all of her books and enjoy re-reading them in the years to come.
