Tara Road

FIRST LOOK
Street: Oct. 9
Prebook: Sept. 4
> Chick lit via Ireland delivered on disc.

If it’s by Maeve Binchy, it must take place in Ireland—and Tara Road is no exception. The Circle of Friends author penned this novel in 1998, and it was an Oprah’s Book Club selection the following year. The story of two women in despair who swap houses isn’t new anymore (see Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet in The Holiday), but to be fair, this little-seen release starring Andie MacDowell and Olivia Williams was produced in 2005. The story proper revolves around a woman in Connecticut (MacDowell) who loses her son and another (Williams) involved in a broken marriage in Ireland and how the two women rediscover life and love when they switch locations for two months. It’s a soft, comfy tale that will warm the hearts of its (mostly) female viewership, even if it does differ a bit from the book version.

Shelf Talk: Tara Road should be stocked next to Circle of Friends to draw on the Binchy connection or next to The Holiday to capitalize on the similar subject matter. Inevitable play on cable TV will follow, so take advantage of the title’s shelf life while you can.