Evening Class

 

Evening Class

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 537

First published: 1996

Setting: Ireland, Italy

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: There was a time back in 1970 when they would love filling in a questionnaire.

One sentence comment: The novel effectively conveys the theme of individuals' inability to keep up with societal changes.

 

The author's portrayal of characters is remarkably effective, often compelling me to pause and contemplate while reading.

 

The first protagonist, Aidan, found such vivid difficulty adapting to contemporary family interactions that his workplace became his sanctuary—a place where his self-worth was still affirmed. This made me reflect on my own life: Am I, too, treating school as an all-consuming passion, even as the teacher-student dynamic has drastically changed, often leaving educators aghast at unthinkable situations? This led me to ponder whether feeling out of sync is a sign that it's time to retire. But how do we then fill the void that a career once occupied? It truly challenges the wisdom of older individuals to discover new purpose in their later years, to acquire new skills, and to find ways to stay fulfilled.

 

The second protagonist, Nora, though perhaps unrealistically romantic, commanded my admiration for her fiercely independent approach to love and life. She seemed unconcerned about her future, which might strike some as naive. However, having matured in a religious environment where everyone had a predefined place, she found herself completely out of sync upon encountering 1990s Dublin. Fortunately, her past experiences of following her heart ultimately rewarded her with skills she could apply to a newly emerging trend: evening classes.

 

While Maeve Binchy's books often explore themes like reconciling with the past and second chances, this one places a special emphasis on aging. Getting old is a central theme in the book, exploring the gains and losses that come with aging. We may be surprised to find ourselves with nothing to show for our efforts, compared to what we started with and what we originally wanted. Despite this, the characters find comfort in an evening class, which symbolizes lifelong learning and is a common practice in many developed countries. This pursuit of continuous learning, the book suggests, may be the true meaning of life.