Anne Maeve Binchy Snell, known as Maeve Binchy, was born on 28 May 1939 in Dalkey, County Dublin, Ireland, and emerged as one of Ireland's most cherished novelists, playwrights, short story writers, columnists, and speakers. Her literary work is celebrated for its compassionate and often humorous representation of small-town life in Ireland, coupled with surprise endings. Binchy's books, which have been translated into 37 languages, have sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Binchy's parents played a pivotal role in her upbringing, instilling confidence and a positive outlook that would influence her both personally and professionally. After studying at University College Dublin, she ventured into teaching before discovering her passion for writing. Her travels, including time spent in a Kibbutz in Israel and a camp in the United States, inspired her to write letters home that eventually found their way into a newspaper, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her marriage to Gordon Snell, a fellow writer, was a significant partnership both personally and professionally.

Binchy's debut novel, Light a Penny Candle, catapulted her to literary fame, leading to a prolific career that included bestsellers like Echoes and appearances on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Her writing, characterized b