Rating: 
Summary: Scarlet Feather is a WINNER !!
Review: I've read three of Maeve Binchly's books so far ... A Circle of Friends, Quentins, and most recently this one. I plan to read ALL of her books. I love her characters and the the roundness of her stories. She truly invites you in for a cup of tea so you can get to know these people. I have to say Scarlet Feather is the best yet. I didn't want it to end, but couldn't stop reading to prolong the enjoyment. Highly recommended !!
Rating:
Summary: Comforting And Warm
Review: It is with regret that Maeve Binchy is saying farewell to us at this time.....her poor beloved readers. I've read most of her books and especially loved Circle of Friends and Tara Road prior to Scarlet Feather.
Scarlet Feather is a wonderful tale which starts from one New Year's Eve to the following New Year's Eve. Centering around the catering company of Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet we are placed into contact with the entire world of these two, as well as their families. Some are eccentric...some lovable, but all in all the characters fill you with a total warmness and the storyline maintains a sense of regained hope almost like light at the end of the tunnel.
You will meet Cathy Scarlet's husband Neil, an activist lawyer who works consistently for the underdog; Marcella who is Tom's beautiful girlfriend, a model; Maud and Simon, Neil's two neglected cousins and others from Cathy's side of the family.
This book is an ideal gift for any ocasion and should be devoured by all of Ms.Binchy's fans....and we know that they are all over the globe. Highly reccommened!!Nutface
February 4th, 2002
Rating: 
Summary: Not an easy time- for the characters OR the reader
Review: Out of all books: 4 stars. Out of Maeve Binchy's books: 2 stars. I hate writing a review for Ms. Binchy that is less than glowing. Her books have always been a huge comfort for me- while not difficult to read, they took me days to finish, and I got transported into whatever small village she centered a particular book around. I re-read them every year. I adore them. I was so excited to hear about 'Scarlet Feather'- the page count alone promised wonderful things! I thought 'Tara Road' was just wonderful and truly inspirational and couldn't wait for more. This book was so disappointing. It's full of many characters and the story does not focus on just one. It's hard to keep up because unlike her past books, Ms. Binchy does not devote chapters or even pages to certain events taking place- instead she devotes one or two paragraphs, then jumps to another place and time and set of characters. It's so frustrating! There is no opportunity for the reader to become emotionally attached to any one characters or situation with this particular style. While I was never a huge fan of the books that separated characters into chapters, it was much preferable to the way in which Binchy jumps around in this book. The worst part of the book was that the characters just do not triumph. They continually hit obstacles and deal with others who belittle them (often for no reason) and make life hard. Over and over this happens and although I know the characters will triumph at the end of the book, it's so hard to read hundreds of pages full of nothing but arguments and injustice. It's so emotionally draining for those who read Binchy's books and cannot help but being swept away in them. These people just do *not* get a break, and it's really hard to tolerate after a while. At least in 'Tara Road', the main characters grew as a result of their hardships. There was progress being made. Overall, I will say that this book is worth reading, simply because it's by Binchy and no matter what the subject matter, the book will be great and worth the time invested. But it's not Binchy's best, by a long shot. Read it, just know that your heart may break for these characters over and over, and justice is not swift or sweet.
Rating:
Summary: The Scarlet Feather
Review: Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy is a fictional novel about several interesting characters. It is a superb combination of real life struggles and humor. Two long-time friends, Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, share the same dream to have their own catering business. They hope to provide their hometown, Dublin, Ireland, with delicious gourmet food. One New Year's Eve night Tom happens to stumble on the perfect place for their establishment. They excitedly purchase it and start their business. Tom and Cathy are surrounded by loveable family and friends that enhance the story line. In the following months, Tom and Cathy face financial difficulties with their company and personal problems involving family and their significant others.
The problems and triumphs that the characters experience make them seem more realistic. The author writes with omniscience, which gives the reader insight into the characters' minds. The setting in the quiet town of Dublin seems restful but is, in fact, the opposite. The characters' lives are hectic and complex. The overall theme of the book is about surviving difficulties and coming out of them a better person.
In general the book was charming and hard to put down. The many characters made it hard to be bored by a certain person. The book may have been a little too detailed causing it to be long and at times slow. A couple of characters such as Amanda Mitchell and Shona Burke were not developed enough. It was frustrating when some questions, such as, the mystery of their premises were never answered. The novel could have been improved but was generally enjoyable
Rating:
Summary: Classic Binchy
Review: Set over a period of one year, Scarlet Feather is a novel featuring Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, who open a catering company together. As they deal with the joys and heartbreak of owning a business their relationship with each other changes as does their relationship with the other's around them,notably Cathy's husband, Neil, who is a lawyer who wants to save the world and Tom's beautiful girlfriend, Marcella, who will do just about anything to make it as a model. Also involved are Cathy's parents, Muttie, who knows that the next bet he places will be the winner, and "his wife Lizzie", who used to clean for Neil's mother. Neil's family also plays an important part in the novel, especially his cousin Walter, and Maud and Simon, Walter's neglected 8-year-old brother and sister. Other characters include Cathy's family in America, her Aunt Geraldine, and their accountant James Byrne. By the end of the year, each character's life had changed, many in ways they never would have imagined.
Maeve Binchy is a talented writer who can create many characters and make you care about each one, bad or good. Muttie, Maud and Simon are the characters that stood out the most to me. I wish Neil and Cathy's earlier relationship had been developed more, it's hard to understand what brought the two of them together. I do like the way the novel is set over the period of a year, it's amazing how much life can change in a year.
I like Maeve Binchy's books, but there is something a bit melancholy about them, that, while I enjoy reading them, after I've finished it's a long time before I read another one.
Rating: 
Summary: Scarlet Feather
Review: This is not one of Maeve Binchy's best books. It is a boring story about a catering company called "Scarlet Feather". The names of the characters just ran together and and there was hardly any plot. I couldn't wait until the end of the tape!
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