Tara Road

A Novel

By: Maeve Binchy

Narrated by: Katherine Borowitz

Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

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Ria seems to have become quite a hostess, entertaining half the neighborhood, which at first irritates the reserved and withdrawn Marilyn, a woman who has always guarded her privacy.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.

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©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)

enjoyed it.

The narrator was great. The story was fun. I will recommend to others. enjoyed all of the side stories.

A Binchy Classic

I will miss these characters and I loved rooting for them through the entire book!

A good listen👍

Only problem I had was that there were so many characters in the story that I found it a bit confusing.

the best

This is the best audiobook I've listened to all year. Though intimidated by its 18 hr length, I raced through it in just 2 weeks. I'll miss these characters like I miss old friends. Highly recommended. Another of Maeve Binchy's fine works.

Very Enjoyable!

This book was right up there with "The Secret Life of Bees". Extremely enjoyable and I had a hard time turning it off and was anxious to get back to it. The narrator was awesome with her Irish accent and brought Ria and all the characters to life...especially entertaining was Ria's son Bryan......you won't be disappointed!

One of the best...

I finished this book just 2 hours ago and came straight in to search for another Binchy. I want these characters to be real and I want to know what happens next. I am praying for a sequel! One of the best books I have ever read.

Tara Road

Well narrated, but the book is a glorified soap opera. I suppose if you like the work of this author you will be very pleased. I was dissapointed and should have investigated a little more carefully.

Loved the book, narration could have been better

Maeve Binchy is a master storyteller and I love everything she writes. Tara Road was wonderful and I, too, was sorry when it ended. Narration was okay but not the best; narrator spoke clearly but painfully slow.

Tara Road

Excellent Read .The characters continue into her next books, "The Scarlett Feather"and into"Quentins". Although they are not the central characters,the author is able to weave a story that makes you feel you know the people and the community. All her books are an excellent read and I look forward to her other books like a visit with old friends.

Touching story with interesting characters

Would you listen to Tara Road again? Why?

I would listen to it again, partly to look for clues I might have overlooked the first time about secrets the characters were keeping from each other. The narrator's voice was easy to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

The interesting characters, and the relationships between them.

Any additional comments?

The one thing that annoyed me about this story was how many times the characters referred to their homes by name "Tara Road," or "Tudor Drive." I don't know anyone who owns only one home and refers to it incessantly by the street name. It seemed rather affected.