Scarlet Feather

Served up with the ease that makes Maeve Binchy's work delectable, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dublin. The reader drew me into the story and rendered each character with sympathy as the cast each made their entry and then interacted with each other in all of their humanity.

The tone and style of the book reminded me of Jane Austin's, with conversation and dialog revealing so much about humor, manners, character, and social status. Add to that the way some people seem to be one thing and turn out to be another.

In the end I was left thinking longest about the odd 9-year-old siblings, Simon and Maude. Through their presence, Binchy observes and questions the strengths and shortcomings of child protective services and foster care while show more examining what it means for the twins as well as adult characters, to be family. show less

I've kept only 3 of Binchy's novels, the ones I would read again because they're typically narratives of people and personalities. SF is like several of her other novels and a relaxing read. She doesn't have the philosophical depth that Penelope Lively evokes, but she does create a plausible community of interesting people.

A satisfying domestic comedy set in current-day Dublin, concerning the adventures of Cathy and Tom, a man and woman in their late 20s who begin a catering business. Binchy's depiction of the swift currents of family life, work life, class struggles, personal struggles, and romantic struggles plunges you into the lives of these people like you belong to the family. Colorful, well-drawn characters abound--a goodhearted father who spends all his time and money on horses, a black sheep nephew with itchy fingers, an haughty, lonely mother-in-law habituated to the privileges and peculiarities of high society, a well-born lawyer on an obsessive quest for social justice, and two neglected children who ask too many questions. This is the first show more Binchy novel I've read, and I will definitely read more. show less

I joined the book club at my library. This was January's selection. I must be one of the few people alive who have never read Maeve Binchy. Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet, friends from culinary school open a catering company called Scarlet Feather. The book follows 'a year in the life' - their jobs, their relationships, their families. Unfortunately, I found both main characters to be completely unlikeable - uncommunicative, judgemental, childish. Luckily, Binchy does a pretty good job of creating supporting characters who are interesting - a pair of nine-year-old twins; Cathy's parents (working class, hard working, kind and fair) - but not really enough to sustain an almost 500 page novel.

So, why did I give this book a decent review show more rating? The average age at the book club appears to be about 75. Each and every one of them loved this book. They thought the characters had fine moral fibre. They wanted the catering company to do well. They commiserated over the relationship problems. They rooted for the possible romantic ending. They chose another Binchy book for February. Any book that will bring seniors together, provide entertainment, companionship and purpose is all right by me. (I, however, won't be going in February) show less

3.5***

Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather met in culinary school and became fast friends. Now they’ve joined forces to start a catering company – Scarlet Feather. They’re young, energetic, and talented and have made some good connections. They’ve found the prefect premises to make their new business the best in Dublin. They know it will be hard work but they are ready to pursue their dream, and with the support of friends and family they feel sure they will succeed.

Binchy excels at writing ensemble pieces that show ordinary people in some extraordinary circumstances. This novel covers a year in the lives of Cathy, Tom, their life partners, parents, employees, friends and family. They make mistakes, have emotional melt downs, overcome show more obstacles, find reserves of love and compassion, smile through adversity, and never stop working to achieve their dream.

One thing I like about Binchy’s novels is that her characters are so real. They may be brilliant chefs but Tom and Cathy also have character flaws. They’re both far too reticent when it comes to expressing their feelings, preferring to put off to tomorrow what should be faced today. But over the course of the novel, they do grow and mature. The rest of the ensemble cast is unevenly drawn … Cathy’s parents have a fairly significant role and are pretty complete, but Tom’s parents are rarely seen and his mother, in particular, is somewhat of a caricature. Neil’s father also was very simply drawn, though maybe his general absence from the story is indicative of his absence as a true father.

The book is written in a style that supports the ensemble cast. Each chapter covers a month in the year, but is divided into short vignettes jumping from character to character and scene to scene. The result is that the reader gets a more complete picture than any of the characters does. show less

Very good book. I have no had the chance to read any of the other books by this author but I have read numerous reviews that this is just one of the many great ones she has. I was excited to start this book. The location sounds lovely and makes me want to visit. The characters are developed so well that you feel like you know them personally or that you want to know them personally.

By page 20 I had my head in my hands, cursing myself for starting it. I kept flicking through to the end and was just in despair at the length of the thing.

However, the sound of Binchy's voice is just so nice that I found myself being seduced by it. I'll not make insupportable claims about the literary worth of the book (she never rises above soap opera quality) but by the end I was thoroughly enjoying myself.