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Tara Road (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 33,391 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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Ria seems to have become quite a hostess, entertaining half the neighborhood, which at first irritates the reserved and withdrawn Marilyn, a woman who has always guarded her privacy.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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"I heart Maeve Binchy and this is hands down my favorite of her books. This was actually a re-read for me. I believe this book was the basis for the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett, but it is far, far better. The stories and characters are so complex and interwoven and it's a fantastic read."
— Jessica (5 out of 5 stars)
Tara Road Listener Reviews
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" This book kept me entertained when I was lying on the beach in Mexico... "
— Emily, 2/12/2014 -
" it was kind of close to reading a soap opera but cleaner and I just loved the characters. "
— Amber, 2/1/2014 -
" This not a new book. However it is an excellent read. I highly recommend it. "
— Tom, 1/30/2014 -
" It is a long book, and the beginning kind of drags. But once the women become involved in each other's lives, it's very enjoyable. A classic "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" kind of story. It reminded me of the movie the Hoilday "
— Brienne, 1/29/2014 -
" I'm not averse to a good soap opera, and I was expecting that sort of thing, but this cliched novel kept me from wanting to read more of Binchy. "
— Paddy, 1/28/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this story, and the pictures of life in Ireland. "
— Shannon, 1/20/2014 -
" This could very well be my favorite Maeve Binchy novel. I was captivated until the last page. "
— Cheryl, 1/20/2014 -
" Well. . .this one was okay to pass the time. A nice story about friends but I wanted it to end a bit differently. My Mom told me the movie ended differently so maybe I'll rent it! "
— Richelle, 1/7/2014 -
" Loved this book, the story, the characters, and how the setting is another character in the book. "
— Cathy, 12/26/2013 -
" Tooooooo Long and boring. I finished it, but it was more out of obligation than enjoyment! "
— Richelle, 12/13/2013 -
" Read this a long time ago. "
— Karen, 11/18/2013 -
" Started out slow, got a little better, slowed down again..... Got pretty good and then it was over! "
— Elizabeth, 11/15/2013 -
" Aw, I do so love Maeve BInchy. One of my favorites of hers that I re-read often. "
— Allie, 11/13/2013 -
" Good, solid, easy read with interesting story and characters. "
— Barbara, 6/21/2013 -
" LOVED IT!!! It was my first Maeve Binchy book and got me hooked on all her stories. "
— Andrea, 6/10/2013 -
" A nice feel good book. Moves at a slow pace. Has a nice ending. "
— Emma, 4/20/2013 -
" I think I was hooked on O book club after I read this book. I started to open my world to new literature... It's a woman's story for sure "
— Rae, 4/16/2013 -
" While the plots in Binchy's books are not that exciting, the vivid setting and characters really draw me in and keep me riveted. "
— Susan, 3/28/2013 -
" I love all of Maeve Binchy. "
— Nance, 2/5/2013 -
" Couldn't put it down. A great story about heartbreak and resilience. "
— Shannon, 10/19/2012 -
" This was my drive time story and I enjoyed listening to it. The topic isn't the happiest- cheating husband. But the character development and the friendships made up for it. I'm now considering a summer vacation house swap haha. "
— Sally, 10/16/2012 -
" I like books set in other countries-- tho this one ended in the US. Binchy books are easy and fun "
— Jeanie, 8/4/2012 -
" I really like this book and I have read several short stories by this author. She is funny and very astute about regular folks (like me). "
— Laurie, 6/2/2012 -
" This read like a daytime series on morning t.v. "
— Anne, 4/21/2012 -
" Wonderful book! Jenifer - I can see why it's one of your favorites. "
— Laura, 12/18/2011 -
" Really enjoyed the writing style! Wish the ending was more satisfying! "
— Bree, 12/17/2011 -
" Loved this book. Great story that kept me reading every day until finished. Highly recommend. "
— Diana, 12/15/2011 -
" One of my favourite Binchys. "
— Kelly, 9/4/2011 -
" This book is trashy in all the right ways. It was mindless and great, and I couldn't put it down. I was a sucker for this book. "
— Sarah, 7/31/2011 -
" I love Maeve Binchy! This is my favorite of her books. She tells a story like no other. You are really there. You get to know characters and one by one they all blend into the story. Great Irish story teller. Nothing bad in this book, a lovely read. "
— Tina, 5/19/2011 -
" Amazing, delightful story, as usual. I think this is one of Maeve's best ones I've read yet. I can't wait to read the next book I have...Copper Beech. I'm sure it will be just as good, maybe even better. "
— Sheero, 4/27/2011 -
" It was pretty Good.But I don't think i would read it again.like most of maeve binchy's books there can be a few iffy parts in it. "
— Anylie, 4/25/2011 -
" After reading MINDING FRANKIE by Maeve Binchy, which was absolutely charming, this book left me cold. I do like Binchy's style of writing and I will try another of her novels at another time. At least I'm up to date on my reading challenge (for now). "
— Trudy, 4/21/2011 -
" Still my favorite book by Maeve Binchy. It was still excellent even knowing the surprises this time around. "
— Marian, 4/20/2011 -
" Simple pleasures. You can read Maeve Binchy with a cup of tea on a cozy winter afternoon and come to no harm. Her characters face up to truth, sometimes sadly, and face themselves and are stronger for it. And it all comes out well. "
— Kani, 4/19/2011 -
" Really great book. A woman in Ireland (who just found out her husband is leaving her) and a woman in New England (whose son has just died)exchange houses for the summer. So it is a very private person vs. and woman who has many people in her house regularly. Great book. "
— Vikki, 4/7/2011 -
" This was my first intro to Maeve Binchy's writing, and I loved it!! She makes the characters come to life and seamlessly weaves many lives and stories together without losing any of them. I'm looking forward to reading more by her. "
— Nicci, 3/31/2011 -
" Always enjoy Maeve Binchy's novels. My mom turned me on to them years ago. "
— Kassie, 3/28/2011 -
" I tried to read this. God through 200 of 600 + and gave up. I just could not go on! Stupid and boring. Krista didn't get as far as I did. Years later monica commented on how binchy uses too many words! "
— Cindy, 3/27/2011 -
" Have always loved Maeve Binchy books..... "
— Srilata, 3/25/2011
About Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy (1940–2012) was the author of numerous bestselling books, including Minding Frankie, Heart and Soul, Whitethorn Woods, and Circle of Friends, as well as Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. She contributed to Gourmet; O, The Oprah Magazine; Modern Maturity; and Good Housekeeping, among other publications. Married to Gordon Snell, she lived in Dalkey, Ireland, until her death in July 2012 at the age of seventy-two, shortly after finishing A Week in Winter.
About Terry Donnelly
Terry Donnelly is a narrator and an actress who has appeared on television in Law & Order. She is the narrator of more than a dozen audiobooks, and her reading of Quentins by Maeve Binchy was a finalist in 2003 for the prestigious Audie Award in the category of Solo Narration – Female. She earned an AudioFile Earphones Award for her reading of The Gathering by Anne Enright in which she was praised for “capturing [the author’s] every subtlety.”