Scarlet Feather
Scarlet Feather book cover

Scarlet Feather

Hardcover – March 1, 2001

by
Price
$13.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
538
Publisher
Dutton Adult
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0525945932
Dimensions
6.25 x 1.62 x 9.25 inches
Weight
2.02 pounds

Description

"Whatever made us think that a catering business had anything to do with producing food?" asks the exasperated heroine of Maeve Binchy's Scarlet Feather . Cathy Scarlet and her partner Tom Feather had wanted to open their own catering firm ever since they attended college together. When the perfect location finally becomes available at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, they jump straight into renovations, ignoring the owner's mysterious eagerness to sell. But as they soon learn, chasing a dream demands far more than just cream puffs and canapés. In the months that follow, Tom and Cathy weather the ups and downs of founding a small business, soothe many a client's fragile ego, plan and pull off a fairy-tale wedding, minister to two of the most appealingly waifish children this side of Dickens, and generally work themselves to the bone--all the while producing some of the most exquisite food Dublin has ever seen. Binchy is a master spinner of tales, the kind of storyteller who captures the rich tapestry of relationships at work in even the most ordinary of lives. Tom and Cathy come surrounded by a cast of characters as skillfully drawn as themselves: Neil, Cathy's activist-lawyer-husband, who's so busy worrying about the world's problems that he sometimes forgets to worry about his own; beautiful Marcella, Tom's girlfriend, who wants to be a top model more than anything else; and most endearingly of all, Maud and Simon, Neil's neglected 8-year-old cousins, who prove equally talented at wreaking havoc and asking awkward questions. Stir in a full complement of clients, family, friends, and enemies, and you have the makings of a bestseller that's very busy and very Binchy. Tom and Cathy's work, after all, is not so different from that of the novelist herself. Like writers, they stage-manage some of the most important events in people's lives, from weddings and funerals to romances and reunions. Before the year is out, Tom, Cathy, Neil, and Marcella will find themselves changed forever--and Binchy fans will have fallen in love with yet another of her fully realized worlds. --Chloe Byrne From Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Binchy (Tara Road, etc.) again explores the depths of family relationships in an 11th warm, involving drama. Set in contemporary Ireland over a period of one year, the smartly paced tale focuses on Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, cooking school chums who achieve their dream of opening a posh catering business, Scarlet Feather, in Dublin. Professionally, they're off to a good start; personally, their lives are falling apart. Cathy, whose out-of-work father plays the races while her mother toils as a housemaid, faces the consequences of having married Neil Mitchell, prized son of an upper-class family who employed Cathy's mother for years. Neil, a lawyer who champions worthy causes, is unconcerned about the tension between his wife and his snooty mother, and Cathy and Neil find themselves leading busy, separate lives. Tom has a live-in girlfriend whom he would love to marry, but Marcella, a manicurist in a classy store, yearns to succeed as a model before making any commitments. A charming cast of secondary characters includes Neil's cousins, Simon and Maud, two abandoned, nine-year-old twins who, in a surprising turn of events, come to live with Cathy's parents. The children's deadpan, exceedingly serious outlook on life is both heartbreaking and hilarious. One of Binchy's strengths is her subtle depiction of gradual changes in Irish society. By making her principal characters entrepreneurs, she reflects the ways Ireland's growing economic prosperity has altered social mores. Whether her readers are aware of such details, they help this wonderfully engaging book ring true. (Mar. 5).Forecast: Binchy's gift for creating a wide range of characters whose foibles and challenges make them lovable and real, coupled with her theme that genuine love can transform lives, add up to another crowd-pleaser. With major ad/promo, plus an author tour, this one is a lock for the charts. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal This novel (following the very popular Tara Road) has all of Binchy's trademark warmth, making it irresistible to most readers. It tells the story of Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, who are building a Dublin catering company, Scarlet Feather. The plot follows the ups and downs of their personal lives as well as the ins and outs of professional food provision. It is obvious throughout that Tom and Cathy are ill suited to their partners (Cathy's husband is an idealistic lawyer full of his own importance, while Tom's fianc e is an air-headed model). Subplots include the shop's vandalism and recovery, its mysterious secrets from the past, and several entertaining catering stories (including two "weddings from hell"). Best of all are Cathy's nine-year-old abandoned cousins, the Mitchell twins, who provide comic relief throughout her personal and business struggles. These darlings can be relied on to make totally inappropriate responses in every situation, winning the hearts of all. Highly recommended. -DCarol J. Bissett, New Braunfels P.L., TX Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Prolific Irish writer Binchy's latest novel is maddeningly slow to get started. Eventually, though, the novel builds in speed and force until it is nearly impossible to put it down. What initially slows the reader down is the vast detail, but it soon becomes obvious that Binchy is layering her story with nuances and shaping her characters with shading and dimension. The setting is contemporary Dublin; the cast of characters is large, chief among them two partners in the brand-new catering business Scarlet Feather. The name is a combination of their own: Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather. Cathy is married to the son of the woman who used to employ her mother as housekeeper; Tom is involved in a problematic relationship. Around them swirl their individual and coupled worlds, centering on family members with all kinds of problems and issues. Cathy's husband's mother is caught up in social prestige; Cathy's parents are dutifully and generously taking care of two troublesome children to whom they are not even related; and Cathy's husband himself presents a sore spot, because he has a job consuming all his time, energy, and interest. In the meantime, Cathy and Tom are looking for a building to house their growing enterprise, only to have the place vandalized once they have set it up. Binchy writes domestic drama at its most realistic and moving, and her adoring fans will appreciate her latest work. Brad Hooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved ...a great read: engaging, fast-paced and suspenseful. -- USA Today Maeve Binchy is the bestselling author Light a Penny Candle , Echoes , Firefly Summer , Silver Wedding, Circle of Friends, The Copper Beech , The Glass Lake , Evening Class , and Oprah's Book Club selection Tara Road . Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Fresh from cooking school, Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet are hot new additions to the Dublin scene with their new catering company, but some people in the city, including their families, are not so keen on the idea of their success. 500,000 first printing.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(2.2K)
★★★★
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(927)
★★★
15%
(556)
★★
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Most Helpful Reviews

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Maeve Binchey at her best

Scarlet Feather is Maeve Binchey at her best. Following the lives of several residents in modern day Dublin and their various involvement with the Scarlet Feather catering business. Friends from school days, Tom and Cathy have invested their all in the catering business.....but friends, family, lovers, and the odd abandoned child or two, have a way of getting involved. This is Maeve Binchey at her best, weaving the everyday lives of various people of all classes and interest, into a seamless story. The language and the dialog ring true and carry the story along. The characters are allowed to be themselves,their good and bad characteristics and all their human frailties included. The story is character driven, and moves along at a good clip. Even though it is over 500 pages, it is a fast read, one you don't want to put down. Sadly, Ms. Binchey has announced this is her last novel. I, for one will miss her, and have added this book to my collection to read and reread. It was worth figuring out the monetary conversion to order this from amazon,uk.
60 people found this helpful
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Wont' disappoint Maeve Binchy fans

Scarlet Feather centres around Cathy and Tom - two friends who meet at catering college and their endeavours to set up their own catering business. As with other Maeve Binchy's novels, the story of the main characters is supported by a host of supporting friends, lovers, and family (some of which are familiar from Tara Road), with little subplot storylines based around the various characters. These include an indifferent husband, beautiful girlfriend with dreams of being a model, two homeless children (the children's statements are a delight) and the well off and not so well off family, all intertwined. Cathy's father, Muttie, is a great character, relying solely on his winnings from the horses as a means of income. And of course there is the imperious mother in law... but I won't spoil the characters by relaying any further information.
As the early reviewer has said the story is predictable but it is an entertaining read and Ms Binchy once again draws you into a web of everyday people, their ups and downs, their fortunes and misfortunes, in her entertaining and straightforward style. Although not her greatest novel, if you are a fan of Maeve Binchy I am sure you will enjoy the book.
As a footnote I was saddened to read that this will be Ms Binchy's last novel (from her interview on Amazon.co.uk) and that she will only be writing short stories from now on, so it fortunate that all her stories are a joy to read over and over.
33 people found this helpful
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Hungry? Scarlet Feather satisfies.

As an avid Binchy fan, I could not let her newest addition go unread. While not as engaging or cozy as her others, I enjoyed every last page of Scarlet Feather, the novel which marks the beginning of Maeve Binchy's retirement.
Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, friends and former cooking school classmates, have embarked upon their dream -- owning and operating their very own catering business, aptly named Scarlet Feather. For an entire year, from one New Year's Eve to the next, readers get a glimpse into the lives of Cathy and Tom and all the happenings surrounding Scarlet Feather. And as usual, par to Maeve Binchy's excellent character derivation, we get to meet several fascinating individuals along the way. Ingredients include Muttie Scarlet, Cathy's father and compulsive gambler; Neil Mitchell, Cathy's husband and an exhaustive workaholic; Hannah Mitchell, Neil's mother and rich snob (think Dharma and Greg's Kitty Montgomery); and Simon and Maud, nine-year-old twins with very inquisitive minds. We also get an amble serving of Maeve's forte -- a story that delves into various characters' lives and how they relate to each other. Mix everything up in a great big bowl and you have one big heapin' helpin' of Irish goodness.
All Maeve Binchy veterans will need to read this book, if only to finish up the collection. If you are new to the wonderful world of Maeve, I suggest reading an older book first (Circle of Friends, The Glass Lake) because the content is much more indulging. Individually, Scarlet Feather is an easy read with lots of breaks in the story to ease the flow. Although I felt a little unattached in parts, I couldn't help but love this yummy smorgasbord.
30 people found this helpful
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The Scarlet Feather

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
13 people found this helpful
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Maeve's written one too many

I had heard that this novel was to be Binchy's last. Unfortunately I think she should have quit a couple of books ago. TARA ROAD was marginal, but SCARLET FEATHER is just plain awful. The plot line is so thin you can see through it. The characters are shallow, uninteresting, and self-absorbed - with the exception of the sainted Muttie and Lizzie who are drawn as caricatures of working class Irish, to the point of being insulting. The fast-action style of cutting from one character to another may work in the movies, but is oddly out of place in a novel of this sort. Too bad Binchy didn't quit with THE GLASS LAKE - now there was a fine book!
13 people found this helpful
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Not the most spectacular, but still wonderful

I really liked this book. I don't think it's nearly as good as Tara Road, but it was worth the read. I found that Maeve Binchy ties in a lot of characters from Tara Road and other previous books in Scarlet Feather. The story was well set--it's a little predictable at times, and the ending was not surprising to me. She kept dropping hints here and there throughout the book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Binchy and say that you will not waste your money reading it.
13 people found this helpful
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Last but not Least

I heard that this is Maeve Binchy's last book, if so I will miss her colorful characters that touch my heart, and make me smile. This book is no different. It has been a week since I've finished and stepped out of the world created by Binchy with Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather and I miss them already.
Cathy and Tom have started a Primo catering business in Dublin, and things are not always as smooth as one would like. As they find themselves up against theft, and one disaster after another it looks like they might have to close by the end of the year. Throw in the antics of young Maude and Simon who have somehow been thrust upon Cathy's household and you have the perfect lighthearted balance that makes this author one of my favorites.
I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the unabridged book on tape and the readers accent only added to the story. It captured my attention from the minute I started to listen. I will certainly miss this author's works. Hopefully she will come back with just one more book. Kelsana 10/17/01
10 people found this helpful
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Binchy's last, but not her best by a long way

I've been looking forward to this book ever since I saw it in hardback before Christmas, so I leapt on the paperback as soon as I could get my hands on it. Maeve Binchy has been my favourite Irish writer for a long time; she writes Ireland as I know it, both in her 1950s stories and those set in contemporary Ireland. Her characters are normally richly drawn and three-dimensional.
Scarlet Feather started well; I quickly became interested in Cathy and Tom's catering business and I found the main characters likeable. There was Cathy and her barrister husband Neil - who had married her against the wishes of his parents, Cathy being the daughter of their former cleaner. There was Tom and his girlfriend Marcella, who wanted to be a model and believed that she could make it. And there were Muttie and Lizzie, Cathy's parents, and Hannah and Jock, Cathy's parents; and Maura and TJ, Tom's parents; we were not told about Marcella's family. Yes, a lot of characters, and some I haven't mentioned here, but it wasn't difficult to keep track of them all.
However, I put the book down when I'd finished reading and quite simply felt unsatisfied, as if someone had ripped out the final chapter. I felt the same way after reading Tara Road, but hoped that this time Binchy would do better; and she didn't.
Cathy and Tom are partners in a catering business, Scarlet Feather, and at the start of the book have just found their premises and are ready to launch in a big way. There is history between Tom and Cathy; they almost became lovers once, but it's obvious that now they're the best of friends and are fond of each other's partners. Neil, Cathy's husband, is supportive of the business, but he's a very busy campaigning barrister and not always ready to listen when she wants to talk about *her* day. Tom is jealous of Marcella's beauty and hates other men looking at her - here we are shown, early on, the seeds of trouble in the relationships.
Along the way, we meet Neil's nine-year-old cousins, Maud and Simon, abandoned by their parents and a trial to everyone because of their lack of manners. They are just frightened kids, however, and one of the nicer elements of this book is how Muttie, the compulsive gambler father of Cathy, becomes the most stable and the most determined influence in these children's lives, the one person prepared to fight for their welfare.
However, otherwise this book shows that Binchy hasn't stopped rushing her plots. Some reviews have said that the pace is slow and boring; well, there's a lot of extraneous detail, but the central plot, that relating to Cathy, Neil, Tom and Marcella, and their families, moves very quickly. Too quickly, and lots of details are simply skipped over. Neil, when we first meet him, is certainly busy and more focused on his work than on Cathy's relationships, but he's dedicated to *Cathy*. And yet somewhere around the middle of the book he turns into a self-obsessed, self-important and neglectful git. That isn't the same person we were reading about 100 pages earlier. And the route that Cathy and Neil's relationship took was glossed over far too quickly, with too little information about the surrounding details before or after.
Likewise, Tom - an otherwise nice bloke, unassuming, considerate, turns into a pathologically jealous idiot when his partner so much as speaks to another man. We're left to believe that she was the one at fault, where for some parts of the book it looked as if Tom was seriously in need of therapy. And yet he recovers from the eventual disaster, without us, the readers, being privy to any ways in which he might have been changed by it.
And, as she's done a couple of times before, Binchy took us to the last few pages with many plot details still unresolved. In particular, she introduced us to many secondary characters and even some main characters, and their stories are left hanging. There was a resolution of sorts for one central thread - at least, I'm assuming that this is what we're meant to imply - but that wasn't satisfying for me. Binchy needed to take at least one more of her very long chapters to tidy things up properly.
10 people found this helpful
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Maeve Binchy's finale

This was only the second book that I've read by Ms. Binchy, the first being Tara Road.
This is the story of Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather who become catering partners and start their own business at the beginning of the book. The rest of the novel takes us through their trials and tribulations of making this business a top notch one. Around them are a long list of characters, some important and some not so important who have their own setbacks to overcome.
My favorite characters and by far the funnier ones were Cathy's husband Neil's young cousins ~ Simon and Maud. They are two little imps who start out as impossible to handle and eventually become wise beyond their years. They made me laugh on several occasions throughout the book.
I found Scarlet Feather to be a good read but some of the characters were underdeveloped...for instance Neil's sister Amanda who we kept hearing about but never factored into the story. Shona was an interesting character but it seems like her storyline was wrapped up a little too quickly. The other issue in the book that was never really examined was the mystery of the building that Cathy and Tom bought. Apparently it was all very hush hush and both Cathy and Tom tried to find out the circumstances surrounding it but when Tom does finally hear about it, that's the end of it. It's never mentioned again and to me it was never really necessary as part of the plot.
In any case, I did enjoy the book and found the main characters to be very likable. Their ups and downs were believable and kept my interest. I am still inclined to hunt down some of Maeve Binchy's older novels and give them a try.
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon, Ye Scarcely Know Me

I'm only writing this review because some electronic wizard decided that I would rate it a 3 1/2! Actually, I found the book to be not very well written and boring, the heroine(?)an unlikable prig with a chip on her shoulder and the required best-seller happy ending based on a deus ex machina. Notice, however, that I do not give it a "1". There are some redeeming features; a pair of enchanting though not very believable twins, and some catering stories that are quite fun.
The amazing thing is that you based your judgement of my reading likes and dislikes based on the fact that I read Barbara Kinnsolver and P. D. James. Duh? Binchey can spin a tale, but is hardly in the same league.
7 people found this helpful

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