Rating: 
Summary: One of Binchy's best! Didn't want to reach the last page!
Review: Not since "Circle of Friends" has Binchy created such a "real" place inhabited by people you can see, touch, and even smell! It describes how each individual's journey in life is different; and what are the lessons those journeys reveal. Some of the characters are more likable than others, like life. Binchy sometimes misses the differences in the English spoken by Americans and Irish and some of the characters are nothing more than cartoons, but these are minor annoyances. I listened to the audiocassette version which is narrated by an American actress sometimes performing in an Irish accent and sometimes in an American accent. For some reason, her American accents all sounded oddly affected; perhaps because the syntax was Irish, not American English. I still hated the book to end. I wanted to move to Tara Road myself.
Rating:
Summary: Maeve is a colorful writer.
Review: I admit, it took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. Enjoyed all the characters and the detail of all their lives and the descriptions of the homes, landscapes, gardens, etc. Felt like I was there. I look forward to her next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of time
Review: If you want to invest in reading about half of this weighty tome, you will find the more interesting characters. Otherwise, you will read only daily tedium about the main character.The plot is predictable, the characters not well sketched and the ending unsatisfactory.
Rating:
Summary: Was the best read yet!
Review: It is the first book that I have read in 49 yrs. that I truly hated ending. I felt a real loss. Never has Binchy been so descriptive of her characters. I feel as tho I could walk the streets of Dublin and know just where I was. I have really enjoyed all her books but this was indeed the best.
Rating: 
Summary: ok but disappointing conclusion
Review: Have read a few of her books and generally enjoyed them, but was very disappointed in this book. The description on the back (2 women switching houses) was not what this book was about. I would have liked more of the American character or a little more back and forth earlier on in the novel. Ria is an idiot, frankly, and I had a hard time sympathizing with her. Also, too many story lines without sufficient explanation, conclusions; things were resolved too quickly or not at all. Ok for a beach read or the train, but nothing to get excited about.
Rating: 
Summary: Not near Maeve Binchys former, wonderfully written stories
Review: The beginning of the story was, to me, pure Maeve Binchy, then, the storyline became disjointed and characters not well formed. I have read all the previous works and felt like a stranger had penned this book. The dust jacket was beautiful enough to be framed.
Rating:
Summary: Warms the Heart!
Review: I adore Maeve Binchy's books and this one is no exception. You can really get into each of her characters and you can tell that Maeve knows all about family life because everything rings true. Reading one of her books is like sitting before a slow burning fire with a nice glass of wine--you simply enjoy it slowly. I love to savor her books and I was not disappointed in this one. I like the way her women are not doormats, but are independent and caring and always come out winners.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as Evening Class, but worth reading
Review: Having enjoyed Evening Class, I looked forward to this novel. It started out well, the characters were well developed, and the relationships between the characters were described quite well. I can't pin down exactly when the story started to slide down, but it almost lost me when it was revealed that the husband was having his affaire. I stuck with it, and despite its weaknesses, enjoyed the tale to the end.
Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Beach Read
Review: A bit hard to get started, but around page 150, the characters became interesting and the plot started to intrigue me. Nearing the end, I couldn't put the book down. Loved the characters-still remember them well even after I finished the book. A nice read.
Rating:
Summary: Another great Binchy!
Review: Having completed all 13 of her novels/short story collections and enjoyed each and every one, I now feel I can comment on this novel with somewhat of an expertise. TARA ROAD was exactly what I expected of Maeve Binchy. I loved the idea she had for this novel and she carried it out expertly. I even liked the bad characters! She tied up the ends nicely--except for Rosemary and her "secret", which disappointed me. I would have loved to see how that would have turned out. However, as good as this novel was, it wasn't my favorite. I personally enjoy her novels that are set in earlier decades, i.e., The Glass Lake or Firefly Summer. But regardless, I remain an avid fan and can't wait for her next novel to come out.
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