Tara Road

Rating:
Summary: not worthy of Oprah
Review: Having read some of Maeve Binchy's earlier books, I was surprised that Oprah would choose one; having read this book, I'm even more surprised. This was a fluffy, mildly entertaining book with plot developments which could be seen a mile away (did anyone not know who rosemary's lover was the entire time?). The lack of attention to detail was annoying (Americans do not use the phrase "have a lie-down" to take a nap, a 16 year old boy would not look in the refrigerator and comment on the "lovely quiche". The editor should have caught these.) Not bad for a beach read, but not worthy of discussion.

Rating:
Summary: not worthy of Oprah
Review: having read a few of Maeve Binchy's book before, I was surprised that Oprah would select one; having read this one, I'm even more surprised. The book was predictable, every plot-twist could be seen miles away. And the lack of attention to detail was annoying (Americans don't use the phrase "have a lie-down" when they take a nap, 16 year old boys do not look into a refrigerator and comment on the "lovely quiche"). Not a bad mindless beach read, but not worthy of wasting any discussion time on.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: I just finished this book in a mere three days. No, it's not short, you just don't want to put it down! I miss the characters already and am upset that tomorrow I will not be able to read more about the lives, loves, friendships, and tales of these splendidly-crafted characters. I don't read books often, but on a whim purchased this book and I DEFINITELY recommend that anyone who is even remotely considering purchasing the book DO SO NOW! If you love Europe, Ireland, tales of human truths, compassions, and passions, then read this book and savor every word that Binchy so excellently writes.

Rating:
Summary: A Soap Opera Page Turner
Review: This book was definately worth the read...It was quite the melodramatic soap opera, but any middle age women who does not quite understand technology and is content being "suzy q homemaker" would benefit from this book

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I've Read
Review: This Book has an excelent story I am only 17 and I love it so far. My mother also read it and loved it. It is a very realistic book and I admire Ria for what she put up with for all those years, it kind of reminds me of someone that I know. And as for the people that were saying on the other reviews that it was boring well thats your loss and maybe if you tried to get into it you would certainly like this story as much as we did. This was my first Maeve Binchy book but not the last, the next one will be The Night Class. Thank you for writing such a great novel Maeve! But who did Annie see with Rosemary that day? Every time I started to think that the book was getting boring somthing else would happen and make me want to find out what would happen next, I can't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Makes You Feel Like You're There
Review: Tara Road was my first Binchy book. Granted, the story isn't incredibly uplifting but I found myself absorbed in the character's lives none the less. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who doesn't need a "roller coaster ride" to get them through a novel. Ms. Binchy knows how to tell a story and make you feel like you're there.

Rating:
Summary: One more chapter, please.
Review: The book was very enjoyable to read. It was definately a page turner. The women portrayed in the book seemed very realistic and by the end you wanted a few more chapters to see what would happen next. I really liked the fact that there were two women, one a professional and one a homemaker, struggling in a parallel fashion. Neither were weak and both conquered their fears. I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Worst book in years
Review: It is amazing that this book is one of Oprah's picks. The dialogue is too corny and the characters are one-dimensional. This book was a total drag - from start to finish.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: I don't know which is worse; the book or the reviews of praise. Please remember, it's a novel. Asking if Ria will take Danny back in the end is fantasy to a disturbing degree. This Christmas present was an insult.

Rating:
Summary: Maria
Review: I gave this book 4 stars because, well I was a slightly disappointed on the ending. It wrapped up way too fast and easy. Overall, I could not put this book down; it kept me totally interested. I think the story was very realistic, there is nothing wrong with one a few people being totally human (Ria, Marilyn..etc) This is definitely going into my READ AGAIN piles.