Customer Reviews

Ballroom on Magnolia Street

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. It is a fast-paced book, but enjoyable. I love all the details and I felt like I was there, drinking tea with them. They sure do drink a lot of tea. I like the differences from America and this book just made me love this author more.

So many characters, from the two sisters, who are opposite, but the same; the father who never knew, to the naughty Eugene. This book has plenty of surprises, and life sure does take some funny turns. Without a doubt this book will have you staying up till the sun comes up wanting to know what happens next.

Fortunately, I had The Ballroom on Magnolia Street ready to pick up once I finished The Tea House on Mulberry Street. I was eager to once again to share the lives of ordinary Belfast citizens....hardworking, and ordinary. Johnny Hogan, the owner of the ballroom is anything but ordinary, Wht, he was the first man in Belfast, perhaps in all Ireland, to wear blue suade shoes and still wears them proudly. He is sure that a man as extraordinary as he will only find his true destiny in America. But he has the ballroom, and the rememberance of his love affair with Marian. Marian has her hands full with a family to raise and a thriving dress business, It keeps her almost too busy to worry about anyone discovering her long buried secret. Sisters Kate and Shirley are hard working girls who look forward to a bit of fun at Hogan's on the weekend. Kate is the one who picks and catches the man she fancies. Shirley is on the sideline...usually shoring up Kate as needed and yearning for "true love". Johnny's grandparents just want him to be happy, and hope his life will become settled enough so they can enjoy their remaining years....well earned since they raised him since his parents were killed in a WWll bombing. These characters and more go about their daily lives in Belfast looking ahead to going to Hogan's where they'll dance to the oldies and shed their work week lives and perhaps find a bit of romance. Once again, I was captivated by these people, sometimes exasperated and dismayed, and then laughing until my sides hurt. The pitted duel of insulting song requests waged by Kate and her rival at the ballroom had me chuckling at my desk at work. I could just see the two glaring across the ballroom, and the hapless DJ caught in the middle. My only complaint was there was not a single reference to any of the characters from her previous book, The Tea Room on Mulberry Street, I didn't think the characters would necessarily need to continue, but would have loved a mention here or there. Once again, I found this book to be a delightful read...and will eagerly await Ms. Owen's next.

The Tea House on Mulberry Street was so very enjoyable that I purchased the h/cover of Ballroom with my limited book buying $ for my library's shelf.

"Ballroom.." is warm, funny, insightful, touching, full of lovable & eccentric characters of *all ages*. Families, love, sisters, dancing, family secrets, a hilarious bumbling crook...Sharon Owens had me laughing out loud at times.

I just purchased Ms. Owens third book, The Tavern on Maple Street. Her books are worth every cent of my modest book buying $$. Please write more, Ms. Owens!

I loved this book. I had read her first book the Tea house on Mulberry Street and I knew that I had to have the next one. It will keep you interested and wanting another at the end.

I highly recommend it, and the lastest novel the Tavern on Maple Street

Always on the lookout for new Irish fiction writers, I stumbled across Sharon Owens. When I find one I like I tend to get every book ever written and gobble them up like candy, eagerly anticipating the next release. Unfortunately, that won't be the case here. The story line was impossibly weak from the start. I almost gave up after the third chapter but hung on as I hate to admit defeat which is more than I can say for this author. I thought this book was a mystery then chick lit then I realized that even the author can't seem to figure out what genre she is going for. She starts out killing the hero's parents in the war, next having him lose the heroine who she can never quite make up her mind til the end whether she's a brainless idiot, still in love with him and going back or what. The hero is good then bad, up then down. It's not a matter of keeping the reader in suspense, I don't think the author has the first idea about plot development and it clearly shows. A reader doesn't mind character development but character confusion is another matter altogether, especially when the entire cast seems to suffer from it. If you are used to a quality writer like Rosamunde Pilcher or Maeve Binchy this is a huge step down. I'm not suggesting that this author be on a level with John Banville's The Sea - clearly we aren't talking Booker Prize material here but honestly - this was an effort to keep reading.

This is perhaps my least favorite of Sharon Owen's work. The Ballroom on Magnolia Street starts off very slow, in fact, the first half of the book I consider largely useless. Luckily, I stuck through and was rewarded with a decent second half of the book.

Unlike her other works a great portion of this novel actually doesn't involve the ballroom. While the characters are sometimes there or mention it, it isn't the main focus like the Tea Room or Pub were in her other novels.

At the beginning we're introduced to Johnny "Hollywood" Hogan, the owner of the ballroom. He has a penchant for Blue Suede shoes and Marion, another character's (Declan) mother. He's famous for having stopped a crime years before in the ballroom and also for being the only survivor of a bombing in the neighborhood where the ballroom is when he was born.

The most prominent characters are sisters Kate and Shirley. In the first half of the novel I couldn't stand either of them. They were both very superficial and written to be quite annoying. While Shirley improves midways through the novel, it isn't until almost the end when Kate redeems herself. Both of the sisters are in a perpetual hunt for love (or in Kate's case) a good time. Shirley, especially has a thing for Declan.

After the first half of the book is done the story really gets going. Shirley gets involved with Declan finally (even though in one paragraph of the first book he liked Kate, which is never explained away). Kate starts dating a mechanic out of jealousy of her sister's relationship. These relationships shape out the second half of the book and evolve into a double wedding that causes numerous sorts of grief.

Also featured is a kidnapping that seemed somewhat out of place and a transference of the ownership of the ballroom, which is quickly and conveniently reversed at the end of the novel. Like her other novels, the last chapter consists of different paragraphs explaining what happens to each of the characters, even the lowliest of side characters.

Her writing is still cheery in this book and it wouldn't be a bad read with a bubble bath and a glass of wine (the wine is very important for getting through the first half). It just didn't seem to have the charm that her other novels did and I didn't connect to the characters as much.

The Ballroom on Magnolia Street
Published in 2004
356 pages

In Belfast after twenty years without a vacation a Johnny "Hollywood" Hogan is thinking of spending three months in America though his grandparents have apoplexy when he tells them. He fails to confide to his beloved relatives that he is thinking of closing the Hogan's Ballroom that he and his family have owned since the end of World War II. However, his grandparents wisely fear Johnny is thinking of retirement and consequently closing the Magnolia Street ballroom.

People love going to Hogan's on Saturday night as a getaway from the mundane life they lead during the week. Johnny feels the same need to escape but as owner manager he cannot flee reality in the family ballroom. He has loved Marion Greenwood since he first met her in the 1960s and wants her back in his life though she married someone else and has an adult son Declan sired by her husband Eddy. However, Marion has kept two secrets from everyone, but fears that Johnny, trying to get back in her life, will learn both causing hurt for everyone involved. As he ponders shutting down the ballroom, Johnny begins to feel the magic that enchant his patrons that he lost when he lost his beloved.

The second Mulberry Street character study (see TEA HOUSE ON MULBERRY STREET) is a deep look at how Belfast residents of three generations escape their everyday lives. The substantive story line focuses on key characters like Johnny, his grandparents, Marion, Declan and two sisterly patrons, but also feels overwhelming at times. Fans will appreciate this deep look with an intriguing twist at individuals of all ages using the ballroom seeking fun and a temporary escape.

Harriet Klausner

I was pleasantly suprised to find this new Irish author. I have always been a fan of Maeve Binchy's and after reading Sharon Owens I can see why so many reviews draw parallels between the two authors.

The book is centered around a ballroom in Belfast. We are introduced to the owner, Johhny "Hollywood" Hogan, and eventually to his patrons. We meet two sisters, Shirley and Kate and follow their love, work and family dilemmas. As happens in life, people are connected in unexpected ways, which makes for some interesting relationships.

The story is told with great affection for the characters, despite their faults. The book does not falter and keeps the reader both interested and amused to the very end. Ms. Owens excels at drawing three dimensional characters and writing believable conversations and story lines.

A delightful book all around!

I adore everything I've read by Sharon Owens. Actually, I've only listened on audio. With narration by Caroline Winterson. I love everything about her writing, and I love Caroline's voice. If anyone knows of a similar audiobook that I can listen to please let me know! I love Irish & British accents and I love heartfelt & comforting writing. :-)

I am currently reading this book and I love it!
I also have read The Tea House on Mulberry Street. Thats the one that started it for me. I plan on buying many more of her books.