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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Really enjoyed the writing and all the characters who were very realistic.
Really a great book, allowing you into the culture of 1950’s Irish in Boston.
Loved it — could not put it down.
Absolutely loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Beautiful story with loving characters
This is a beautiful story that brings back memories of old Boston!
Interesting learning about Irish-American life in Boston in the mid-20th century.
I liked the way the characters crossed paths in their life journey.
As an Irish Catholic child/adult with 11 younger siblings, I definitely related to Rosemary. This is a raw and truthful look at how difficult life is for a large family…but also, how much our faith plays a part in our ability to keep moving forward and loving each other. No one has an uncomplicated life, but those from large families, with the hurdles of poverty, pride, and tragedy – fourfold over small families – are survivors Children from large families are more resilient and persevering. We also know something everyone should learn – poverty doesn’t kill you. Buckle down and keep moving. Beautiful book. Many memories poor forth while reading it. “God bless you.”
I really enjoyed The Red Coat. It is difficult to believe that it’s fiction! The pictures made it so real. I have lived just north of Boston for all of my 76 years, so the historical times and neighborhood we’re correct. Great read!!
This was an engaging read that felt very honest about the intersection of a family’s devotion to God and each other and its domestic problems through the mother and daughter generations. Interesting history of Boston and its embedded Irish communities. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end, which is my favorite kind of book.
The Red Coat is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. The Red Coat is in a bag to go given away when A domestic worker asks the lady of the house for the coat for her daughter and the red coat is almost magical, at the very least those wearing it know they look like a million dollars. I enjoy books that take you through several generations of families good times, tragic times, romantic times and everyday life. The Author of this book did a great job with the characters, you laugh with them and cry with them. I hated to see this book end.
The author captured the language of the Irish and the “Uppa Class” Bostonians to a tee. I enjoy seeing the grown-up children, and how their rearing affected the different ones. It was fun seeing how the “Red Coat” followed the girls. It was a thoroughly entertaining book, which I highly recommend.
Being a Bostonian and Irish, this took me back to my childhood. Memories of the places mentioned, stores I shopped in and mostly the language I grew up with made this an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the South Boston/Boston setting and the historical references as I grew up just outside Boston and frequented many of the places mentioned.
I really enjoyed the picture of South Boston during the time period.
Love it!
Culturally interesting with a story line that just manages to hold it together
Loved everything about this piece of historical fiction!
All the family and culture turmoil of the times.
This is probably not a book I would choose to read, but it was a book club pick and I must say we had a lot of fun with it. The hostess asked everyone to come dressed like one of the characters and wearing something red. It is an easy read and there is nothing to dislike about the book. It is set in South Boston during the 1940’s and 50’s, and portrays the everyday life of an Irish Catholic family. It is a study in the differing lives of the Beacon Hill and South Boston families. I am certain anyone from this area will relish the lovely memories shared in this book.
The span of years covered in the history of Boston was so interesting. I loved the characters. Good account of the immigrants from Ireland.