Think Downton Abbey, set in the heart of Boston Irish domestic worker Norah King’s decision to ask her wealthy employer, Caroline Parker, for an elegant red coat that the Beacon Hill matriarch has marked for donation ignites a series of events that neither woman could have fathomed. The unlikely exchange will impact their respective daughters and families for generations to come, from the coat’s … come, from the coat’s original owner, marriage-minded collegian Cordelia Parker, to the determined and spirited King sisters of South Boston, Rosemary, Kay, and Rita. As all of these young women experience the realities of life – love and loss, conflict and joy, class prejudices and unexpected prospects – the red coat reveals the distinction between cultures, generations, and landscapes in Boston during the 1940s and 50s, a time of change, challenge, and opportunity.
Meet the proud, working-class Irish and staid, upper-class Brahmins through the contrasting lives of these two families and their friends and neighbors. See how the Parkers and the Kings each overcome sudden tragedy with resolve and triumph. And witness the profound impact of a mother’s heart on her children’s souls. Carlson brings us front and center with her knowing weave of Celtic passion – both tragic and joyful – words of wisdom, romance, humor, and historical events. Dive into Boston feet first! The Red Coat is a rich novel that chronicles the legacy of Boston from both sides of the city, Southie and the Hill.
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Interesting piece of our history when Irish and other Eastern Europeans were settling in this country.
Detailed portrait of Irish American world especially first half of twentieth century. Loved the period details held together with a female perspective. Predictable in spots.
A wealthy woman has cleaned out her daughter’s closet and put a beautiful red coat to be donated. The woman scrubbing her floors asks for the coat for her daughter. This magical coat fits many different women over many years. The coat seems to give the wearer confidence and glamour.
The focuses on the daughter of the woman who gave the coat away originally and the daughters of the woman who took the coat. There is not a lot of plot, the story focuses on individual events, and I didn’t like how characters just dropped away. There are a lot of historical information and photos as if this was a memoir, but it seems to be work of fiction. This broke up the flow of the story.
I read the entire story and enjoyed it, but I did not love it.
Wonderful if you live in or near Boston, you will really enjoy this story.
If you are from Boston, this is spot on.
I’ve recommended this book to several friends. I couldn’t but it down once I started reading! Great story!
Simply put, this was a good story.
Great descriptions of life during that time period.
As a Boston native, and Irish to boot, great stories of what it was really like from skating on the Frog Pond to obeying the religious, this book rings true!
Brought me back to my Irish roots.
I loved this book about families through the years in Boston.It was interesting to read about the poorer families and the rich ones.The red coat was a thread connecting them and it was great to see where it ended up.
This is an outstanding historical fiction book that takes place with those who came to this county by boat. I am always surprised what I learn. A great story of love among “girl friends”. I will read again.
Loved it!
I enjoyed reading this very much. Historically accurate characters romp through a family of early immigration to Boston and beyond.
Interesting plot!
Wonderful family story! Strong characters.
One thing I enjoyed about this book was how it showed the strick separation of social classes and how that was taken for granted at the start of the book and how that social structure had relaxed by the end of the book. The lower classes were predominantly Irish and this book showed how that ethnic group merged into American society. It is primarily a book that will make you feel good but since it is about people tragedy and struggles will make appearances. You will be drawn into this book.
I liked this book because although I did not grow up in Boston I related to the era and the Catholic teachings . I went to parochial schools and was taught by nuns. I believe the education was great but the moral teachings were Victorian.
I became attached to the characters as the story unfolded. I was sorry when the book came to an end.
I loved this book. It was difficult to put aside each night, as I read before bed. Wonderful story!