The Irish are well known as great storytellers, and Irish author Maeve Binchy continues in that fine tradition. She has been writing novels for several years, and many of them end up on the top of the best seller lists. Her best-selling streak continues with her latest novel, “Whitethorn Woods,” currently on the New York Times bestseller list.

“Whitethorn Woods” takes place in the Irish town of Rossmore. Like the rest of Ireland, Rossmore is experiencing an economic boom. New businesses are opening, more people are moving to the town and traffic is increasing.

This sometimes clashes with the tradition of old Ireland. In Rossmore, the town is buzzing with news that a new highway will be built in their town.

Many people are excited about this; it will bring more business and relieve the current traffic problems caused by the increase of cars and trucks racing through the town streets.

Others are not happy about this project. In the woods of Rossmore, right in the middle of the proposed roadway, stands a shrine to St. Ann that has been there for years. It is a very famous shrine, one that many travelers from all over Ireland, England and beyond come to visit.

It is said that people who come to visit the shrine can bring their wishes and St. Ann will grant them. People looking for a spouse, for relief from illness, for help in dealing with their children - they all come to pray to St. Ann for assistance.

This conundrum is one that is currently facing many towns in Ireland: how to cope to a booming modern economy and yet still remain true to their own customs and history. Binchy does a good job showing us what the effect is of this on the people of Ireland.

We start with the story of Father Brian Flynn. Both sides of the issue want Father Flynn to support their positions, but he does not wish to get involved in town politics. He personally believes that worshipping the statue of St. Ann borders on idolatry, but many of his parishioners frequently go to the woods to petition St. Ann for assistance.

Father Flynn cares for his elderly mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, in addition to caring for the people of Rossmore. His brother, Eddie, has left wife, Kitty, and his young children for a younger woman. His sister, Judy, comes home from London to pray to St. Ann's shrine to help her find a spouse.

Each chapter in “Whitethorn Woods” tells the story of a different character. It is almost like each character tells his or her own story, then passes the baton to another character who then tells his or her story in the following chapter. The narrative does not follow one storyline, rather, it tells many different stories.

Binchy excels in character development. In the space of a few pages, she tells the story of one character and the reader gets to know that character and care what happens to him or her.

Her characters deal with alcoholism, spousal abuse, the problems of raising children; the entire spectrum of the human experience.

Becca King is dating a man she hopes to marry. He doesn't seem to be a man of very good character, and when she finds out that he is leaving her for another woman, she panics and does something unthinkable.

Lilly Ryan is married to a man who physically abuses her. Twenty-three years ago, her daughter was stolen from her pram which was parked outside a shop in Rossmore, and her husband could not deal with that loss.

Although Lilly never finds out what happened to her daughter, the reader is privy to the story of the woman who stole the baby to raise as her own. The woman is now dying of cancer in England, and is being cared for by her loving husband, who unbeknownst to her, was aware of her secret.

Poppy operates Ferns and Heathers, a local adult care facility. She has a difficult relationship with her sister, who can't believe that Pearl divorced her handsome (but philandering) husband to work as an administrator. Yet Poppy is very content, and her happiness creates a wonderful atmosphere for the facility's residents.

The most interesting character in the book is Neddy Nolan.

Neddy is described as “not the sharpest knife in the drawer,” but that description turns out to be very inaccurate. Neddy goes to London with his brother, Kit, and uses his skills to create a wonderful home for Kit and his friends, and he manages to accumulate a large sum of money through his thriftiness.

Neddy comes home to take care of his ailing father on the family farm. He falls in love with and marries schoolteacher, Clare, and they live happily together with his father. The new highway is scheduled to go right through Neddy's home. When it appears that this progress is unstoppable, people are dumbfounded when Neddy refuses to sell his land for a huge profit, instead waiting for it to be taken by eminent domain at a much lower price.

The final solution of the highway is surprising and satisfying. In the final chapter, the characters interact and their stories are resolved.

Binchy does a masterful job, weaving her fascinating characters together.

The effect is almost like reading a long letter from a good friend, catching you up on all of the news from your hometown. I give “Whitehorn Woods” three and half stars.

Auburn native Diane La Rue's lifelong goal is to read a book a week. If you have suggestions, e-mail her at ediane2000@yahoo.com