Tara Road

Rating:
Summary: Oprah's weakest bookclub selection yet!
Review: The best thing about this book is the lovely artwork on the cover. Tara Road would be adequate as a beach read, but unworthy as a novel to discuss for a book group.

Rating:
Summary: Okay, but not one of Binchy's best
Review: I am a big Maeve Binchy fan and have read all of her books. Tara Road was okay, but not on the top of my Binchy book list. The characters seemed to get stronger as you read along, but I was glad to see the last chapter. It was a quick, easy read and would be a good book to toss in the suitcase to read during a road trip or long weekend away from home.

Rating:
Summary: A good story.
Review: This was my first Maeve Binchy novel although I did see the movie version of Circle of Friends (Which I loved)I liked this story. I felt I could related to Ria especially in light of buying an old house in a great neighborhood and all that goes with fixing it up. I felt that the psychic lady was totally unneccessary to the plot and therefore the four star rating. Otherwise, I really got into all the characters and really enjoyed the house swapping idea.

Rating:
Summary: VERY ENJOYABLE READ
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I felt a lot of emotions for the characters--some I loved, some I loathed! I too did not want this book to end. Don't look for profound messages--just a good, entertaining story.

Rating:
Summary: Vapid plot with poor character development
Review: This was probably one of the worst books I have read in the last 5 years. None of the characters made sense or had any dimension, particularly the protagonist.

Rating:
Summary: DID NOT WANT IT TO END!!!
Review: I tried to just read a little bit per day to make it last but ended up 'gobbling' it all up in a weekend!!! I am still wanting to know how things go - the kids were so neat - I'd like to 'watch' them grow up. Finally a book recommendation from Oprah that wasn't totally depressing!!

Rating:
Summary: Poor Man's Mary McGarry Morris
Review: When will Maeve Binchy learn? You need more than interesting characters to make a good book and while I may be being a little generous in saying that some of the characters were interesting I am not going to be when it comes to describing her writing. In parts her writing is really poor and amateurish and would suggest that the editor got a little bored while reading through. I know I did at times. The only thing to take from this book is the relationship that develops between a mother and a son. The relationship between mother and daughter is okay but nowhere as good as that that exists between Brian and Ria. If that is the only reason though to read it I would steer clear. Too long and nowhere near as good as any of Mary McGarry Morris's work.

Rating:
Summary: one of a kind
Review: I loved the novel, it was very well written. I found myself being part of the neighborhood and tale. I cried and laughed. A true literary beauty!

Rating:
Summary: Overated!
Review: At first I was very interested in this book. I did read it very quickly, but I was very disappointed. The main character, Ria, was very poorly developed as were the supporting characters. I felt like I was watching a soap opera. A very long, very dull soap opera.

Rating:
Summary: The characters and their worlds captured me instantly!
Review: Just as her short stories in "London Transports" did, "Tara Road" captured me instantly. Although it's slightly more romantic than I go in for, I found the characters and their lives believeable and honest. It was hard not to keep reading just one more bit, just one more bit, until way past my usual bedtime! I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys stories about relationships, friends, and cross-cultural issues.