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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The story of this coat warmed my heart. This was a fascinating, multi-generational peek at Boston from years gone by.
Rambling. Characters drop out without explanation and the symbolism of the red coat is way underdeveloped
The ending was abrupt. No follow up on the family after they moved.
Love novels about Boston and it was easy to read
I liked what I read I would have liked to read more of it but can not find it. I want my money back
The trails and tribulation of coming to America and knowing that racism was all the way in time.
Best book I have read in a long time. Loved the well developed characters.
Accurate view of the people of Boston in this time period.
Too long too wordy. I think a good story was in there some where.
Reading this you feel as though you already know the story and want to keep reading nevertheless! I found it to be interesting and realistic for the era in which it is written. The characters are fun to get to know in this book and it is, in my opinion, a story that is easy to relate to in many ways. It’s a good book and, if you want a good story, light reading, this is it!
Awkward writing, unimpressive pacing. Needed some serious red-pencilling by a tough editor.
full of 50’s trivia. fun to look back!
Slow
Liked how it told about how people lived back then.
Bland and cliched Romance novel.
Didn’t finish it.
I couldn’t get into this book. It didn’t keep me interested so I put it away after two chapters.
Entertaining story for the most part, but disappointing ending.
Loved the history of Boston interwoven within the characters! So interesting to connect current familiar areas with those in the book through the plot years.
Really enjoyed reading it!