Tara Road

A Novel

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Fionnula Flanagan

Ria lived on Tara Road in Dublin with her dashing husband, Danny, and their two children. She fully believed she was happily married, right up until the day Danny told her he was leaving her to be with his young, pregnant girlfriend. By a chance phone call, Ria meets Marilyn, a woman from New England unable to come to terms with her only son's death and now separated from her husband. The two women exchange houses for the summer with extraordinary consequences, each learning that the other has a deep secret that can never be revealed.

Drawn into lifestyles vastly differing from their own, at first each resents the news of how well the other is getting on. Ria seems to have become quite a hostess, entertaining half the neighborhood, which at first irritates the reserved and withdrawn Marilyn, a woman who has always guarded her privacy. Marilyn seems to have become bosom friends with Ria's children, as well as with Colm, a handsome restaurateur, whom Ria has begun to miss terribly. At the end of the summer, the women at last meet face-to-face. Having learned a great deal, about themselves and about each other, they find that they have become, firmly and forever, good friends.

A moving story rendered with the deft touch of a master artisan, Tara Road is Maeve Binchy at her very best—utterly beautiful, hauntingly unforgettable, entirely original, and wholly enjoyable.©1999 Maeve Binchy; (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Her best work yet . . . Tara Road is like a total immersion in a colorful new world, where the last page comes too soon.”—Seattle Times

“An irresistible tale.”—Elle

“Engrossing.”—Wall Street Journal

“A tender novel of the pleasures and pitfalls of friendship Tara Road is an ultramodern love story for women, about women, between women that is sure to delight.”—Newsday

“Difficult to put down!”—Denver Post

“One of Binchy's best.”—Kirkus Reviews

Sad that it had to end!

This was an excellent book with characters that you can't help but love. It makes you want to visit Dublin! The audiobook was a little slow at times, but overall it was a wonderfully rich story that I would recommend to all.

Enjoyable Story and great for a book club!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is a book that is perfect for a book club read or to debate over with a friend.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tara Road?

The entire book made you feel like you were in on a dirty little secret that you never quite got off your chest. That was both great and frustrating about being the listener. You were happy yet wanted something big to happen. It was thought inspiring.

Any additional comments?

I tend to like to have resolution when I am done reading or listening. This book offers a few areas that make you wonder what happened. But I do believe that is the science of the writing as well, to make you fill in some of the blanks with your own perspective. Which is why this is a great group read!

Got very caught up in their lives

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would as long as they enjoy this type of book. I became very involved with all of the characters life. Kind of "soap operaish". Sad when it was overI felt like I had lost friends.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ria. I felt that at times she was quite weak at times. This frustrated me, but then again it made me root for her.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Borowitz – was your favorite?

Again, Ria

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship with her daughter and mother touched me very much.

Any additional comments?

Probable not considered a great piece of litature, but is was a great way to escape.

I loved it all!

Any additional comments?

The concept for the story was great and delicious details brought it all to life!

Ok Book. Maybe a bit long.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The length. I think the points of this story could have been made in about half of the time.

Any additional comments?

The characters were well defined and developed, but the plot was somewhat predictable. The narrator was good with the voices. I liked the Irish accent better than the American one.