A Week in Winter

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Maeve Binchy structures A Week in Winter as a series of interconnected stories rather than a traditional linear narrative. How did this approach affect your reading experience, and what does it reveal about the connections between seemingly separate lives?

2. How does the Irish coastal setting of Stoneybridge contribute to the novel’s atmosphere and themes? In what ways does this setting compare to other Binchy novels you may have read, such as Circle of Friends or Tara Road?

3. Each guest arrives at Stone House carrying personal struggles or secrets. Which character’s initial situation resonated most strongly with you, and how did your perception of them change throughout their story?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Chicky creates an elaborate fictional life for her family rather than admit that her relationship with Walter failed. What motivates this decision? When have you found yourself maintaining a facade to protect others or yourself, and what were the consequences?