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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Having been raised in a big Catholic family I found it interesting.
While this book came highly recommended, I did not find it enjoyable. For one thing, the book did not read like a novel, but rather like a memoir and not a particularly well-done memoir. Some characters, such as Norah Foley King, the matriarch, were treated with great compassion and in great detail. But the stories of Norah’s children were told piecemeal or ignored completely. The only constant was ownership of the red coat, and the coat was a rather weak symbol. Secondly, the book made unfortunate leaps in time without transitions or anchor points. Norah went from a young mother with nine children (with eight surviving) to a fifty year old matron dying of cancer. The book briefly focused on Rosemary and Cordelia (the original owner of the coat) but never finished their stories. They simply faded away. Finally, the book tried to make the Southie neighborhood in Boston, the influence of The Catholic church and Catholic education, and the moral goodness and optimism of Norah the foundational themes of the book. The author, in my opinion, was seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Overall I felt the book failed on all fronts, overreaching in breadth and lacking in depth. The only reason I gave a rating of two stars was because the nostalgic reminiscences about the forties and fifties rang true.
My rating is based on my enjoyment, not necessarily the excellence others may find. I set it down, and picked it up, and set it down.,…etc. I did not find it riveting as thje opening chapters made me think it might be..
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. The story of the Irish and the prejudice they endured when they arrived and settled in Boston is interesting. Easy to read.
The story is okay. The narrative gets bogged down in details that don’t anything to me. I think if you grew up in the Boston area it would be much more enjoyable. To me it had a very uneven story line. Left my wondering what happened to some of the characters.
I loved this book!!!! Within minutes of starting the book I was hooked!! I love the characters, the way you were drawn into the time the characters loved. Thoroughly enjoyed the story line. One of my favorites!!!! Couldn’t put it down!
Lovely book — just a little slow to start, but once you got into the story, the characters were memorable, even if not all of them were likeable. Much of the story revolved around a Southie (Boston) Irish family around WWII time. I could identify with the Irish side of my family, of the same generation, even though we are midwesterners. Great read — historic and contemporary.
An interesting picture of life during this time period. Interesting characters.
Was Ike’s 2 separate books and I lost interest in 2nd half
I come from an Irish background and reading this book was reliving my childhood with my Grandmother. In addition to the realistic story line I found myself hearing my Grandmother’s Irish phrases.
Enjoyed following the trail of “The Red Coat”.
This book was really interesting. Would like a sequel so can follow the families.
Saved to read again!
Raised in the Boston area in the 1950’s, the book brought me back to my childhood.
This was a wonderful, wonderful book. The characters were so real. I had a visual in my mind of what each one looked like. I really didn’t want the book to end. Loved the photographs through out the book showing the places they lived, churches they went to and places they ate. The women in this story were vulnerable and strong at the same time which made them very likable. I would want all of them as a best friend.
This book gave a wealth of insight about the Irish in America during the 20th century. Reinforced what I already learned from my mother‘so Irish upbringing. Great book!
It was an enjoyable read!
Loved the characters. Reminded me of the division between Catholics and Protestants when I was growing up.
A wonderful story of one woman’s kindness to another and how that kindness affected the whole family.
If you grew up in the late 40’s and 50’s, this book takes you back to your childhood in not always a good way in some circumstances, but certainly captures the essence of that time and the honor, respectfulness we all were raised on – the easiness of living among family, friends, neighborhoods that is all lost now in today’s world. The Red Coat was an excellent read and full of feeling.