Rating: Summary: Delicious Review: If you haven't bought this marvelous book yet, you should do so right now! This is the best reading I've found since Cold Mountain, and I had despaired of ever finding a contemporary novel with its powerful use of imagery and prose. Binchy must have had a ball writing this page turner. And the reader has just as much fun discovering the lives of these wonderful characters you'd love to have as your own friends. In fact, you may find people with some of your own faults in Tara Road. One of my all-time favorites already! Simply wonderful reading.
Rating: Summary: CHARATERS SO REAL - VERY EMOTIONAL Review: I found myself wishing that Danny's plane would have gone crashing into the ocean on his way back to Irland. I can't remember the last time I read a book and felt so frustrated, but at the same time I didn't want to put it down. The ending left me feeling horribly, despratley betrayed. I closed the book and sat there thinking, what now? I cant start another book with out knowing the outcome of this one. So, I had to make one up to satisfy myself....Marilyn ends up buying #16 to use as a summer home. Ria finds out about Rosemary so she and her snot nosed kids relocate to Tudor Drive where she marries Andy and makes a success of her baking business. Annie and Brian grow up and learn to respect their mother. Rosemary and Polly start a high class escort buisness. Mona ditches Barney after finding out that he is thier best customer, and moves in with Nora at St.Rita's. Gertie marries Colm and finds out what true love is. Hillery moves into #48 becase her husband wondered off into the woods one day and never returned. Danny, he loses everything so he joins the circus. He has a curious accident and lost all feeling from the waist down.
Rating: Summary: Engrossing characters but unsatisfying ending Review: I found that once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I became fascinated with the character of Ria- would she ever wake up and tell Danny to get lost? What would happen next with the rest of the characters? At first, I was thoroughly depressed with the passivity of some of the female characters, then toward the end of the book they seemed to grow strong and independent. The devious characters such as Mona's husband, Polly, Rosemary, etc. seemed to "get theirs" in the end. The best part ofcourse was the way the house/life exchange between Ria and Marilyn transformed their lives. Marilyn finally could face the death of her son and was able to talk to her husband again. Ria developed some business skills and strengthened her ties to her children. "Lucky Marilyn" had her husband, Ria had her children. But I wasn't satisfied with the ending. It was too abrubt- and what would happen to Ria and Danny? I was left with an uneasy feeling.
Rating: Summary: Couldn't put it down!! Review: I was not impressed when I found out that we would be reading this book for our book club. I didn't think it was "book-club worthy." Maybe it isn't but it turned out to be the most interesting and exciting book I have read in a long time. The characters had me so sucked in to the story I could not put the book down. I now consider myself a Maeve Binchy fan!
Rating: Summary: I was immediately caught up in this book Review: This was my first Binchy, but won't be the last! It has been a long time since I read such a character-driven book that did not sound like an exercise in amateur psychology. These were real people, who did not spend a lot of time trying to figure out their "issues" - they were living life on a daily basis (well, maybe not Marilyn, but that's another story). Parts of the story were cliche - I knew what was going to happen with Bernadette and the baby, and could have seen Rosemary's betrayal a mile away. Still, life is full of cliches. People keep doing the same things over and over, thinking that they are so different! I felt like I really knew these characters. Often, in a book with such a large "ensemble cast" I have a hard time keeping track of who is who, but not with this one. I stayed up late several nights in a row, unable to put it down.
Rating: Summary: One of Binchy's Best! Review: Binchy's works have never failed to impress me. From "Circle of Friends" to "The Return Journey", she has proven to be a true maestro when it comes to writing about the relationships and intricate lives of seemingly ordinary folks that most of us can identify with. "Tara Road" is no different. It's a story about innocent victims and how the people you love could betray your love and trust again and again. It's a story about how 2 strong-willed women find their own happiness at long last after having to endure betrayal and heartbreaking tragedies in their lives. At the end of the story, you'll find that true friends sometimes keep the truth from you when they know the truth will only hurt you more. "What you don't know won't hurt you", I guess. I highly recommend this novel to all Binchy's fans. For those new to Binchy's works, I recommend you sample her earlier works first, eg. "Circle of Friends", "The Glass Lake" (her best) and "Evening Class." I can hardly wait for Binchy's next book to be out!
Rating: Summary: excellent Review: This is the first book I have read by this author, and I think it is excellent. I got on the computor today to research other books by her, I thought it was so good.
Rating: Summary: The best Binchy book so far! Review: I have loved Maeve Binchy's books for years, my favorites being "Light A Penny Candle" and "The Glass Lake". "Tara Road" has more twists than her previous books. I could NOT put it down! Too much was going on. What a talented lady she is!
Rating: Summary: What an enjoyable read! Review: I like Maeve Binchy a lot. "Evening Class" is still one of my very favorite books! "Tara Road" is Binchy at her best and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. The only problem I had was Ria's inability to believe that Danny was gone from her life. She struck me as a bit too clingly, but she recovered and began a new life for herself and her children. I liked Marilyn's story, too. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are tired of reading mediocre fiction...Binchy's tales are always meat and potates with very little fluff! Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was enjoyable to read. Review: I've read many of Maeve Binchy's books, and this one proved to be as good as the others. She is a wonderful storyteller. I felt like I knew the characters, and could anticipate their actions. This book was one that was hard to put down, the story was great. She seems to have a definite gift of weaving a story, and here across two continents. I would highly recommend this book , especially if you enjoy reading a great story.
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