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seems to have become quite a hostess, entertaining half the neighborhood, which at first irritates the reserved and withdrawn Marilyn, a woman who has always guarded her privacy.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

Great Story & Fantastic Narration

I hated to have this one end, I so wanted to keep living with these characters, find out how things continue on.... I highly recommend this book. I was so taken by the narrator, each character was so distinct and precise it was amazing and lovely to hear.

Great story, bad recording

Would you consider the audio edition of Tara Road to be better than the print version?

No, the recording in volume two was quite bad. At times you could hear a television or such in the background, or the sound would get muffled and had difficulty hearing.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed how well she develops her characters. The story sucks you in. She leads you along, leaving just enough mystery to keep you going. There is just enough sex to make things interesting, but nothing graphic.

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

Rea.

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

When Danny and she are at the restaurant and she thinks she is telling him she wants another baby and he thinks she is talking about his having one with another woman. It was a powerful moment!

A Fabulous Find

This audiobook was awesome, great story, great narrator = enough said. You will not be disappointed.

Enjoying the story but not the sound quality

Disappointed in the poor sound quality. There is background noise and discussion not to mention differing volume level from chapter to chapter. Audible should offer this one at a discount because it reflects poorly on their audiobook quality. I am continuing until the end because I am enjoying the story but am not pleased that I paid for this one.
DO NOT download this if you can't deal with background noise and varying volume.

Great!

Tells an interesting story about the lives of two women whose lives change with a house exchange.

Well worth you time.

Completely enjoyable

This book simply warmed my heart. Great character development, and some laugh out loud humor, this book was a great easy listen.

This is my favorite book.

I have read the print version twice and now I have listened to it straight through two times. The narration is beautiful and easily transports one into the lives of these characters. Lovely story.

Love can make a person blind!?

Several of the Irish wives were too gullible!

I thought they might even be a little mental!

Otherwise the story was good and I loved the reader!

Didn’t want it to end, enjoyable start to finish.

A nice escape book. Brought back great memories of Ireland. Not too heavy, but still thought provoking, Tara Road addresses serious issues with a diverse cast of characters you’ll love and hate and identify with. The young son providing enough humor to keep you laughing throughout. Made me want to clean my house and bake something. Then invite friends over for lunch, Then get out in my garden. Oh and made me want to hug my husband too.
I recommend it!

Superb narrator

The story is good, but the narration is superb. Audio is the way to go.