Maeve Binchy is remembered by Ireland's leaders, fellow writers
Irish author Maeve Binchy died at the age of 72.
Irish writer Maeve Binchy was known for her stories of life in small towns in the country.
Ben Garvin
Popular Irish writer Maeve Binchy died yesterday at the age of 72, prompting tributes from her country鈥檚 leaders and fellow writers.
Binchy, who published her first book, 鈥淟ight a Penny Candle,鈥� in 1982, wrote most often about life in small towns in her native country. She was born in Dalkey in County Dublin and worked as a teacher and journalist before becoming an author, working as a writer, columnist and editor for the Irish Times and later working as the London editor. 鈥淧enny Candle鈥� was followed by 14 other novels and various short story collections, plays, novellas and nonfiction works.
鈥淲e have lost a national treasure," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said in a statement.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins noted Binchy鈥檚 versatility.
鈥淪he was an outstanding novelist, short story writer and columnist, who engaged millions of people all around the world with her fluent and accessible style," he said in a statement.
Writer Ian Rankin said he considered her a huge literary presence.
鈥淢aeve Binchy was a gregarious, larger than life, ebullient recorder of human foibles and wonderment,鈥� he tweeted.
Binchy was often self-deprecating about her work, according to .
鈥淚 was very pleased, obviously, to have outsold great writers,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I'm not insane 鈥� I do realize that I am a popular writer who people buy to take on vacation.鈥�
In an interview with , she stressed the importance of simplicity in writing.
鈥淎lways write as if you are talking to someone,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ay someone cried 鈥� don't say: 'tears coursed down her face.' Take it nice and easy, don't try to impress.鈥�