Circle of Friends by Mauve Binchy

Review by Ratmammy
Maeve Binchy's Circle of Friends focuses on the friendships of Benny and Eve, starting from their childhood years in Knockglen, to their days at college in Dublin. Benny is a large over weight young woman, somewhat shy, and Eve is a petite girl who grew up as an orphan with a convent of nuns. Together, they share life's joys and sorrows and experience what growing up is all about.
While a few chapters focus on their early childhood, the bulk of the book takes place in College. Eve and Benny decide to go to school in Dublin, and while Eve gets to move out from the convent and into her own place, Benny ends up living at home with her over-protective parents.
Despite the fact that she doesn't have as much freedom as her college-mates, Benny does make many new friends at the college. Benny and Eve meet Nan, a beautiful young woman who befriends them on their first day of school. The three of them become best of friends, and are always seen hanging out together. On the same day, they also meet Jack Foley, a very good-looking son of a local doctor, and soon Benny falls in love with him. These two and many other new friends become part of Benny and Eve's new life at college. A lot of parties and lunches and good times are had by all.
As always, there is a huge cast of characters in this Maeve Binchy novel, along with complicated plot twists which all get resolved at the end. The book takes us back and forth between the two towns, throwing in various subplots including the story behind Eve's family history, which could be a novel in itself. The book's main emphasis, however, is friendship and betrayal, and the loyalties that one makes throughout their lives. Circle of Friends comes highly recommended from this reader.