Customer Reviews

Scarlet Feather

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

 

 

I've read several of Binchy's books - started with "Tara Road" and progressed from there. I like the fact that some of the same characters appear in different novels. For example, some of the main characters in "Scarlet Feather" are secondary characters in "Quentins." We've all had that "it was a great book but I'm sad it's over" feeling, so it's fun to read a different Binchy novel since you don't have to "say goodbye" for long. So far I've found this to be true in Tara Road, Quentins, Evening Class and Scarlet Feather.

I have read several books by Maeve Binchy and have enjoyed them all. Binchy has a real way with words and weaves a great story.

This was my first time to read a book by this author...and probably my last. The main thrust of the book was about three families related by marriage or friendship and the trials and tribulations they go through. I wouldn't call the story heartwarming, but they do persevere in the end. One requirement I have for books is that their story needs to be more exciting than my own life and this one just didn't cut it. A fellow reader said she felt this author appealed to an older audience than our mid-forties. Maybe so, but I'd like to think I still wanted a little thrill in my books even 10 to 20 years down the road.

I really liked this story of Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather. Cathy and Tom met at cooking school and became fast friends with a shared dream of opening their own catering business in Ireland.
Cathy is married to Neil Mitchell, son of her mother's former boss Hannah Mitchell. Cathy met Neil in Greece and they fell head over heels in love. Neil's mother was opposed to their marriage but they tied the knot without Hannah's approval and have been married for several years already. Tom lives with Marcella who is crazy for a modeling career and doesn't pay enough attention to Tom and his dreams of becoming a well known caterer.
Both Cathy and Tom will be faced with endless troubles and lots of problems when they finally open up their own catering firm "Scarlet feather".
Tom and Cathy have hired some help for events and dinners and they are capturing more and more catering requests before Neil's cousin Walter breaks into their place and tears it all down. Both Cathy and Neil will have to undergo an investigation from the insurance company to recover their money and all their lost goods but it will take a long time and they will have to fend for themselves using rented equipment and making stories so that no one knows how badly they have taken this unexpected blow.

The story evolves smoothly and the author makes the reader feel like one of the family members, or family friends of dear Cathy and Tom. You will root for them and you will feel very strongly against everyone who wishes them harm. Believe me this is a great story with fully developed characters who are flawed and utterly human like you and me. You will love Cathy and Tom and you will wish they end up together. It's a nice story and the ending is quite cozy and warm too.
I enjoyed it and I am sure you will enjoy it as well. Go for it.

Using both of their surnames Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, friend and former cooking school classmates, have started their own catering business, aptly names Scarlet Feather. We get to meet some fasinating individuals along the way. Simon and Maud nine year old twins with very inquisitive minds end up needing a home and of course everyone trys to give them love and time in their busy lives while they stay with Cathy Scarlet's aging parents for a while.

Maeve Binchy fans will love this story she always has many characters in her books who we all love to hear about and their lives are intertwined. A must read.

This is one of my favorite books. The characters are richly detailed, and the plot is engrossing. I couldn't put this book down. And when I finished it, I read it again!