A Week in Winter[冬天的一周]

StoneybridgeisasmalltownonthewestcoastofIrelandwhereallthefamiliesknowoneanother.WhenChickyStarrdecidestotakeanold,decayingmansionsethighonthecliffsoverlookingthewindsweptAtlanticOceanandturnitintoarestfulplaceforaholidaybythesea,everyonethinkssheiscrazy.HelpedbyRigger(abadboyturnedgoodwhoishandyaroundthehouse)andOrla,herniece(awhizatbusiness),ChickyisfinallyreadytowelcomethefirstgueststoStoneHouse’sbigwarmkitchen,logfires,andunderstatedelegantbedrooms.John,theAmericanmoviestar,thinkshehasarrivedincognito;WinnieandLillianareforcedintotakingaholidaytogether;NicolaandHenry,husbandandwife,havebeenshakenbyseeingtoomuchdeathpracticingmedicine;Andershateshisfather’sbusiness,buthasarealtalentformusic;MissNellHowe,aretiredschoolteacher,criticizeseverythingandleavesadayearly,muchtoeveryone’srelief;theWallsaredisappointedtohavewonthissecond-prizeholidayinacontestwherefirstprizewasParis;andFreda,thelibrarian,isafraidofherownpsychicvisions.Sharingaweekwiththisunlikelycastofcharactersispurejoy,fullofMaeve’strademarkwarmthandhumor.Onceagain,sheembracesuswithhergrandstorytelling.