What do you think?
Rate this book
The Day of the Storm
On the last day of her mother's life, Rebecca learns that she has a family in Cornwall, and she sets out to find the Grandfather and cousin she has never known. But only the enigmatic Joss Gardner, the outsider who seems to be the apple of her grandfather's eye, can help her understand the dark currents that lay behind her family's loving reception.
Library Binding
First published January 1, 1975
444 people are currently reading
2051 people want to read
About the author
Rosamunde Pilcher
319 books3,057 followersRosamunde Scott was born on 22 September 1924 in Lelant, Cornwall, England, UK, daughter of Helen and Charles Scott, a British commander. Just before her birth her father was posted in Burma, her mother remained in England. She attended St. Clare's Polwithen and Howell's School Llandaff before going on to Miss Kerr-Sanders' Secretarial College. She began writing when she was seven and published her first short story when she was 18. From 1943 through 1946, Pilcher served with the Women's Naval Service. On 7 December 1946, she married Graham Hope Pilcher, a war hero and jute industry executive who died in March 2009. They moved to Dundee, Scotland, where she remained until her death in 2019. They had two daughters and two sons, and fourteen grandchildren. Her son, Robin Pilcher, is also a novelist.
In 1949, her first book, a romance novel, was published by Mills & Boon, under the pseudonym Jane Fraser. She published a further ten novels under that name. In 1955, she also began writing under her married name Rosamunde Pilcher, by 1965 she her own name to all of her novels. In 1996, her novel Coming Home won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by Romantic Novelists' Association. She retired from writing in 2000 following publication of Winter Solstice. Two years later, she was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
In 1949, her first book, a romance novel, was published by Mills & Boon, under the pseudonym Jane Fraser. She published a further ten novels under that name. In 1955, she also began writing under her married name Rosamunde Pilcher, by 1965 she her own name to all of her novels. In 1996, her novel Coming Home won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by Romantic Novelists' Association. She retired from writing in 2000 following publication of Winter Solstice. Two years later, she was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 385 reviews
January 6, 2018
I came to this book and author more or less by accident through the “challenge of horror” in which two of my Goodreads friends and I participated. Ultimately, it was about reading a book that, in all likelihood, will not please. For me, the name Rosamunde Pilcher has always been synonymous with hyper sentimental stories and a happily-ever-after ending — a genre where I see myself far beyond the target audience. So it was really a sacrifice on my part to dedicate my precious reading time to such a novel. Since I was free to choose the book, I picked this one, simply because it is short.
It turns out the story was not as bad as I initially feared. One can read the book without curling one’s toenails all the time, the factor “Fremdschämen” has its limits, schmaltz and kitsch are kept down to a bearable level. Of course the whole plot is predictable (with one exception), the characters are rather flat, and the prose isn’t very sophisticated. Nonetheless I think it would be quite possible to turn this into a nice little novella after the image of women is revised, the scenes are stripped down, repetitions erased, and perhaps two or three characters eliminated. The book didn’t convince me, but it didn’t repell me either. I think I’ll remember it for at least another hour or so.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
It turns out the story was not as bad as I initially feared. One can read the book without curling one’s toenails all the time, the factor “Fremdschämen” has its limits, schmaltz and kitsch are kept down to a bearable level. Of course the whole plot is predictable (with one exception), the characters are rather flat, and the prose isn’t very sophisticated. Nonetheless I think it would be quite possible to turn this into a nice little novella after the image of women is revised, the scenes are stripped down, repetitions erased, and perhaps two or three characters eliminated. The book didn’t convince me, but it didn’t repell me either. I think I’ll remember it for at least another hour or so.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
June 3, 2023
This little book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, so having been a fan of the author, I thought, why not read it.
Premise: On the last day of her mother's life, Rebecca learns she has a family in Cornwall, and sets out to find them.
This was an enjoyable read, for the most part with a neat and tidy plot. The main character was inconsistent. The characters were chatty, and the ending was abrupt. But, it was still an enjoyable read. And gratefully, a short book.
Premise: On the last day of her mother's life, Rebecca learns she has a family in Cornwall, and sets out to find them.
This was an enjoyable read, for the most part with a neat and tidy plot. The main character was inconsistent. The characters were chatty, and the ending was abrupt. But, it was still an enjoyable read. And gratefully, a short book.
January 23, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2023
4.5 stars. Pilcher is a “me” author. Most of her stories are, for the most part, comfort reads with all of the elements of good fiction: good writing, story and characters. I never want her stories to end.
This is my second of hers and once again, the ending felt a bit abrupt. I’d have been perfectly happy if she went on for 300 more pages, which is exactly how I felt about the other one of hers I read, Coming Home, also narrated by Helen Johns. I’d have finished it much quicker but I never want her books to end!
She has a way of setting you right down in a place (usually Cornwall) and with characters it seems you know instantly. This was another family drama, where our young main character learns things about her family she never knew because of a dramatic event that occurs fairly early on. Both of her books I’ve read have had an artist character who is a major minor character, if you know what I mean. The scenery is often beautiful and most of the characters are interesting, even if not always likable. Her books give me that soaking in a warm bubble bath kind of feeling. I want 100 more books just like this 😀📚
This is my second of hers and once again, the ending felt a bit abrupt. I’d have been perfectly happy if she went on for 300 more pages, which is exactly how I felt about the other one of hers I read, Coming Home, also narrated by Helen Johns. I’d have finished it much quicker but I never want her books to end!
She has a way of setting you right down in a place (usually Cornwall) and with characters it seems you know instantly. This was another family drama, where our young main character learns things about her family she never knew because of a dramatic event that occurs fairly early on. Both of her books I’ve read have had an artist character who is a major minor character, if you know what I mean. The scenery is often beautiful and most of the characters are interesting, even if not always likable. Her books give me that soaking in a warm bubble bath kind of feeling. I want 100 more books just like this 😀📚
October 21, 2010
I needed a calm non-thinking stress-less book and Rosamunde Pilcher always fills the bill.
December 9, 2013
Pilcher's short novels are comfort food for the reader. I am seeing that they are a bit formulaic. Young woman struggles in quaint English seaside town or country village. Young woman encounters quirky English characters. Young woman discovers family secrets. Young woman learns about herself. Young woman falls in love with cad and is rescued by good guy. The story usually comes to an abrupt and happy ending. At least I know what I am getting and completely enjoy her writing style and imagery. When I can't decide what to read I read Pilcher these days which seems to be often. Hey, what is the with the borderline incest in all these books? Was it common for cousins to marry in this era? odd.
November 18, 2018
Άρκετα χλιαρό. Μόνο στις τελευταίες σελίδες υπήρξε μια ένταση. Η κορύφωση όμως δεν ήρθε ποτέ. Βέβαια, διαβάζεται ευχάριστα κ γρήγορα.
November 28, 2016
Πολύ επιφανειακό, περιληπτικό θα μπορούσα να πω. Ίσως εφηβικό. Δεν με έπεισε καθόλου, θα μπορούσα να πω πολλά αλλά πιθανόν αν είστε σε εφηβική ηλικία να σας αρέσει, δεν ξέρω.
Απλοϊκό, δεν υπάρχουν σχεδόν καθόλου περιγραφές σε τοπία και χώρους που θα μπορούσε να γράφει ατελείωτες σελίδες. Οι χαρακτήρες ήταν επιφανειακοί και οι διάλογοι απλοϊκοί.
Ευτυχώς ήταν αραιογραμμένο, αλλιώς δεν ξέρω αν θα το τελείωνα.
Απλοϊκό, δεν υπάρχουν σχεδόν καθόλου περιγραφές σε τοπία και χώρους που θα μπορούσε να γράφει ατελείωτες σελίδες. Οι χαρακτήρες ήταν επιφανειακοί και οι διάλογοι απλοϊκοί.
Ευτυχώς ήταν αραιογραμμένο, αλλιώς δεν ξέρω αν θα το τελείωνα.
November 3, 2022
This is Pilcher Lite, short and fairly superficial. A pleasant read but I did weary of the way the men bossed the young heroine around and how meekly she submitted to their demands. This would have been a better book were it longer and the characters more fully developed.
October 12, 2022
Seems a bit dated and her shorter novels are never as good as the longer ones. A trusted formula, a bit of a mystery, a young heroine, a nice hero and a not so nice man. The falling in love with first cousins was a bit weird! Not once but twice?? And she thought it quite normal.
November 23, 2009
My expectations are so much greater after having read Pilcher's longer novels, I am let down with her shorter novels which are undeveloped and sketchy.
December 30, 2016
My first book of the year. Perfect for reading on a cold winter day.
August 9, 2025
2.5. If this had taken place in the 1700’s or earlier I wouldn’t have batted an eye at the cousin romance. However, it takes place in the 1970’s.
I adore Rosamunde Pilcher, but eww.
I adore Rosamunde Pilcher, but eww.
September 2, 2016
This is the book that taught me what a nymphomaniac is; a character is suspected of being one a couple times, and when I first read this, ages ago, I had no idea what it meant so I looked it up. Thanks, Rosamunde Pilcher!
Also, I did a book report on this book in middle school. We usually had to choose book report books off an approved list, but sometimes we were allowed to do one on a book we liked, and I chose this one. I thought it was very romantical. I might have had a silly literary crush on the main dude.
Anyway, I read this the other day because I was being very successful with NaNoWriMo and thought I deserved to read a book (I try not to read while I'm doing NaNo usually). But I didn't want anything that would make me think or make me feel bad about my terrible writing. This seemed like a good choice. Thanks, Rosamunde Pilcher!
It's definitely one of the better short Pilcher books, but suffers a bit, as all the short ones do, because of its length. Everything just happens so quickly! I used to count the number of times a couple had been in each other's presence in the short Pilcher novels before suddenly being mad in love with each other, and it was always, like, four. This one's a little better than some others, but still. It definitely feels rushed.
It's typical Pilcher: very charming and there is Cornwall and art and mild incest. Huzzah!
Also, I did a book report on this book in middle school. We usually had to choose book report books off an approved list, but sometimes we were allowed to do one on a book we liked, and I chose this one. I thought it was very romantical. I might have had a silly literary crush on the main dude.
Anyway, I read this the other day because I was being very successful with NaNoWriMo and thought I deserved to read a book (I try not to read while I'm doing NaNo usually). But I didn't want anything that would make me think or make me feel bad about my terrible writing. This seemed like a good choice. Thanks, Rosamunde Pilcher!
It's definitely one of the better short Pilcher books, but suffers a bit, as all the short ones do, because of its length. Everything just happens so quickly! I used to count the number of times a couple had been in each other's presence in the short Pilcher novels before suddenly being mad in love with each other, and it was always, like, four. This one's a little better than some others, but still. It definitely feels rushed.
It's typical Pilcher: very charming and there is Cornwall and art and mild incest. Huzzah!
July 15, 2018
Very nice writing! This book was interesting, bittersweet and beautiful.
There are a couple things I would have liked to be a bit different but, nevertheless, it was a nice story with interesting characters and amazing scenery. I always appreciate writers that manage to actually transfer me to a place with their writing, and make me wish to go visit the places they describe. The coast of Cornwall is now imprinted in my mind's eye, and I crave to see it up close.
There are a couple things I would have liked to be a bit different but, nevertheless, it was a nice story with interesting characters and amazing scenery. I always appreciate writers that manage to actually transfer me to a place with their writing, and make me wish to go visit the places they describe. The coast of Cornwall is now imprinted in my mind's eye, and I crave to see it up close.
June 24, 2014
Even for an airport book it was awful. I did finish it because it was what I brought for a 16 hour travel day, but it looks like Pilcher wrote a couple of good long novels (the shell seekers) that probably took some serious time and effort to produce, and a bunch of short crap to make a living otherwise.
July 10, 2019
When I want to read a story with a happy ending I always turn to Rosamunde Pilcher or D.E. Stevenson and I'm never let down. Story writing at its best. Imminently readable over and over.
June 28, 2024
Ένα ρομάντζο με ύφος περασμένων δεκαετιών.
Συμπαθητικό.
Το μεγαλύτερο ατού του είναι οι περιγραφές της Κορνουάλης, οι οποίες είναι πάντα το δυνατό σημείο των βιβλίων της Πίλτσερ. Κατά τα άλλα, το στορυ γενικά δεν πείθει και μοιάζει να είναι γραμμένο στο πόδι....
Συμπαθητικό.
Το μεγαλύτερο ατού του είναι οι περιγραφές της Κορνουάλης, οι οποίες είναι πάντα το δυνατό σημείο των βιβλίων της Πίλτσερ. Κατά τα άλλα, το στορυ γενικά δεν πείθει και μοιάζει να είναι γραμμένο στο πόδι....
February 17, 2021
One of the "safe" books of the author, with all the right ingredients and a plot that is very reminiscent of The End of Summer. You see, in this book, too, her romantic world is threatened by people with minimal romanticism within them, who symbolize the transition to a new era in which all this will not matter much. This is where our young heroine enters, in a brake from her modern life, asking for something more stable, with solid foundations, like the old houses in beautiful Cornwall. There she is confronted with the past but also with possibilities for the future through her acquaintance with enigmatic men who each have their own personality. The rest... on the book.
A book that is not very different from other books by the author but I think it has its own character and certainly stands on the same level with her work up to that time. This is obviously enough for me to get a positive opinion and consider it a good choice for a snowy Sunday afternoon like today.
Ένα από τα "ασφαλή" βιβλία της συγγραφέως, με όλα τα σωστά συστατικά και με μία πλοκή που θυμίζει πάρα πολύ Το τέλος του καλοκαιριού. Βλέπετε, και σε αυτό το βιβλίο ο ρομαντικός κόσμος της κινδυνεύει από ανθρώπους με ελάχιστο ρομαντισμό μέσα τους, που συμβολίζουν το πέρασμα σε μία νέα εποχή που όλα αυτά δεν θα έχουν πολύ μεγάλη σημασία. Σε αυτό εισέρχεται η νεαρή ηρωίδα μας, με την μοντέρνα ζωή, που ζητάει κάτι περισσότερο σταθερό, με γερές βάσεις, σαν τα παλιά σπίτια στην όμορφη Κορνουάλη. Εκεί βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπη με το παρελθόν αλλά και με πιθανότητες για το μέλλον μέσα από τη γνωριμία της με αινιγματικούς άνδρες που ο καθένας έχει τη δική του προσωπικότητα. Τα υπόλοιπα... επί του βιβλίου.
Ένα βιβλίο που δεν διαφοροποιείται ιδιαίτερα από άλλα βιβλία της συγγραφέως αλλά νομίζω ότι έχει το δικό του χαρακτήρα και σίγουρα στέκεται στο ίδιο επίπεδο με το έργο της μέχρι εκείνη την εποχή. Αυτό προφανώς είναι αρκετό για εμένα για να αποκτήσω θετική γνώμη και να θεωρήσω ότι ήταν μία καλή επιλογή για ένα χιονισμένο κυριακάτικο απόγευμα σαν το σημερινό.
A book that is not very different from other books by the author but I think it has its own character and certainly stands on the same level with her work up to that time. This is obviously enough for me to get a positive opinion and consider it a good choice for a snowy Sunday afternoon like today.
Ένα από τα "ασφαλή" βιβλία της συγγραφέως, με όλα τα σωστά συστατικά και με μία πλοκή που θυμίζει πάρα πολύ Το τέλος του καλοκαιριού. Βλέπετε, και σε αυτό το βιβλίο ο ρομαντικός κόσμος της κινδυνεύει από ανθρώπους με ελάχιστο ρομαντισμό μέσα τους, που συμβολίζουν το πέρασμα σε μία νέα εποχή που όλα αυτά δεν θα έχουν πολύ μεγάλη σημασία. Σε αυτό εισέρχεται η νεαρή ηρωίδα μας, με την μοντέρνα ζωή, που ζητάει κάτι περισσότερο σταθερό, με γερές βάσεις, σαν τα παλιά σπίτια στην όμορφη Κορνουάλη. Εκεί βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπη με το παρελθόν αλλά και με πιθανότητες για το μέλλον μέσα από τη γνωριμία της με αινιγματικούς άνδρες που ο καθένας έχει τη δική του προσωπικότητα. Τα υπόλοιπα... επί του βιβλίου.
Ένα βιβλίο που δεν διαφοροποιείται ιδιαίτερα από άλλα βιβλία της συγγραφέως αλλά νομίζω ότι έχει το δικό του χαρακτήρα και σίγουρα στέκεται στο ίδιο επίπεδο με το έργο της μέχρι εκείνη την εποχή. Αυτό προφανώς είναι αρκετό για εμένα για να αποκτήσω θετική γνώμη και να θεωρήσω ότι ήταν μία καλή επιλογή για ένα χιονισμένο κυριακάτικο απόγευμα σαν το σημερινό.
July 31, 2022
I really didn’t enjoy this I read or listened on audible. I skipped the last two chapters something I rarely do. I’ll try to read shell seekers soon
I found the author rambled far too long there was not enough exciting events.
My mum loved all her books
I however love the descriptions though they were too long for me. Maybe I just need to find a book that I like with a plot from this author that is more interesting than finding long lost relatives
She found her mum then she went off to find her long lost relatives so it was the same plot all through the book nothing really changed
I’m sorry but I needed more interesting plot
I found the author rambled far too long there was not enough exciting events.
My mum loved all her books
I however love the descriptions though they were too long for me. Maybe I just need to find a book that I like with a plot from this author that is more interesting than finding long lost relatives
She found her mum then she went off to find her long lost relatives so it was the same plot all through the book nothing really changed
I’m sorry but I needed more interesting plot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2011
Rosamunde Pilcher has a beautiful way of putting words together, and has a knack for drawing one in as a close observer to a different culture, climate and year.
April 26, 2011
This is the story of a girl who goes to the bedside of her dying mother and discovers who her father is. Of all the Rosamunde Pilcher's I have read, I would say this is probably my least favourite.
May 7, 2020
A bit disappointing for a Rosamunde Pilcher novel, but a pleasant read.
June 17, 2019
Ok, it wasn't perhaps as magnificent as The Shell Seekers, but mostly because it was much shorter. There was less place for philosophical views and intertwined lives of characters. You could say it was a bit lighter novel.
I love Rosamunde Pilcher's way of storytelling. From the beginning, from the first page, I felt it was exactly what I search in novels.
I was surprised with some plot twists. And it was more of a romance than just fiction. This book was what I would call a comfort book/reading. With a wise and charming touch of Pilcher but without her deepest considerations.
I love Rosamunde Pilcher's way of storytelling. From the beginning, from the first page, I felt it was exactly what I search in novels.
I was surprised with some plot twists. And it was more of a romance than just fiction. This book was what I would call a comfort book/reading. With a wise and charming touch of Pilcher but without her deepest considerations.
July 5, 2018
Занадто передбачувано, трохи наївно, герої плоскі. З Пілчер я на цьому прощаюся.
July 17, 2021
Jag har hört namnet Rosamunde Pilcher i många omgångar under livet, men aldrig läst något av henne. När stormen kom känns som en bra början. Det är feelgood i ett nötskal. En bra historia som lägger sig runt hjärtat som en varm filt.
När stormen kom är ingen lång bok, utan mer av en kortroman, och det kan kännas som att det skulle kunna fått vara lite större utsvävningar, eller varför inte större djupdykning i alltihop. Slutet känns något hastat, och jag skulle gärna fått veta mer om Rebeccas tankar kring allt som händer. Istället känns det som att det bara slutar lite hux flux, precis när historien har kommit igång på riktigt. Och det är faran med en kortare roman, det finns inte tid för alla utsvävningar och sådant som kan lägga ett djup i berättelsen så att man känner att man verkligen lär känna karaktärerna på djupet.
Jag gillar grundhistorien. Att Rebecca oväntat får veta mer om sin familj på sin mammas dödsbädd och sedan reser till familjegodset för att lära känna dem. Persongalleriet är lagom stort för bokens längd och jag tycker också om att det inte är helt tydligt vem som går att lita på och inte, även om jag har mina aningar tidigt. Rebecca som karaktär tycker jag om, och blir lite överförtjust i morfadern, känner jag. Han känns som en typisk brittisk gentleman som man bara läser om i böcker och ser på tv. Morbroderns fru är en sådär falsk person som man bara tycker om att ogilla medan man läser och kusinen Eliot är bra skriven som karaktär. Jag tycker också om att det är svårt att läsa Joss ordentligt. Dessutom tycker jag om vändningen, även om den kanske inte är helt oväntad.
Språket är bra och översättningen fungerar väldigt bra. Man får verkligen känslan av att vara på den engelska landsbygden när man läser boken. Och det är något jag uppskattar väldigt mycket med den här boken, att jag verkligen ser landskapet framför mig, och nu är lite sugen på att besöka Cornwall.
När stormen kom är ingen lång bok, utan mer av en kortroman, och det kan kännas som att det skulle kunna fått vara lite större utsvävningar, eller varför inte större djupdykning i alltihop. Slutet känns något hastat, och jag skulle gärna fått veta mer om Rebeccas tankar kring allt som händer. Istället känns det som att det bara slutar lite hux flux, precis när historien har kommit igång på riktigt. Och det är faran med en kortare roman, det finns inte tid för alla utsvävningar och sådant som kan lägga ett djup i berättelsen så att man känner att man verkligen lär känna karaktärerna på djupet.
Jag gillar grundhistorien. Att Rebecca oväntat får veta mer om sin familj på sin mammas dödsbädd och sedan reser till familjegodset för att lära känna dem. Persongalleriet är lagom stort för bokens längd och jag tycker också om att det inte är helt tydligt vem som går att lita på och inte, även om jag har mina aningar tidigt. Rebecca som karaktär tycker jag om, och blir lite överförtjust i morfadern, känner jag. Han känns som en typisk brittisk gentleman som man bara läser om i böcker och ser på tv. Morbroderns fru är en sådär falsk person som man bara tycker om att ogilla medan man läser och kusinen Eliot är bra skriven som karaktär. Jag tycker också om att det är svårt att läsa Joss ordentligt. Dessutom tycker jag om vändningen, även om den kanske inte är helt oväntad.
Språket är bra och översättningen fungerar väldigt bra. Man får verkligen känslan av att vara på den engelska landsbygden när man läser boken. Och det är något jag uppskattar väldigt mycket med den här boken, att jag verkligen ser landskapet framför mig, och nu är lite sugen på att besöka Cornwall.
July 5, 2013
Rebecca is a young woman who was raised by a single mother. Her mother lived a Bohemian lifestyle with frequent changes of boyfriends and addresses so Rebecca never grew up with roots. She never knew of any other family or relatives. She is working in a bookstore in London when she is summoned to ibiza, where her mother has been diagnosed with leukemia. Rebecca had not seen her mother in 2 years. Her mother finally shares family information with Rebecca, telling her her grandfather is a famous artist living in Cornwall. That night her mother dies. Rebecca feels pulled to Cornwall, she wants to meet her grandfather. She finds her grandfather is thrilled to see her, and has a grandson and daughter-in-law living with him. He also has opened his home to a young man who restores old furniture and antiques. A lot of stress develops between all the major characters. Who really loves the old artist, and who loves the possibility of inheriting his money and home? It isn't always the way it seems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2018
This is an early work of the author, in relation to her most well known works, but not actually in terms of her total output.
It is a short novel at 200 pages and crams a lot into these pages. It’s like a trip down memory lane to a more simple time, but with all the usual human frailties and strengths exposed.
Rosamund Pilcher’s descriptive powers are especially strong, whether relating to people or landscape and her knowledge of people give her characters multi dimensional personalities.
Our story is not original in format, we have an early twenties young lady visiting her dying mother and being given the key into a hidden past and branch of her family. I read the whole thing in a couple of sittings and don’t love it as much as The Shell Seekers or Winter Solstice, but it is still a delight. Not sentimental women’s fiction as I have seen written about her. I believe some of her writing will become classic over time.
It is a short novel at 200 pages and crams a lot into these pages. It’s like a trip down memory lane to a more simple time, but with all the usual human frailties and strengths exposed.
Rosamund Pilcher’s descriptive powers are especially strong, whether relating to people or landscape and her knowledge of people give her characters multi dimensional personalities.
Our story is not original in format, we have an early twenties young lady visiting her dying mother and being given the key into a hidden past and branch of her family. I read the whole thing in a couple of sittings and don’t love it as much as The Shell Seekers or Winter Solstice, but it is still a delight. Not sentimental women’s fiction as I have seen written about her. I believe some of her writing will become classic over time.
May 21, 2013
Oooh, this could be a contender for favourite Rosamunde Pilcher book. The Empty House has been my favourite ever since I was 16-17, but this one had a hero just as awesome and I twist that I thought I had guessed at but hadn't.
Rebecca is 21 and her mother has died. Before she died she finally revealed details about her family and Rebecca is now going to meet them for the first time: her famous painter grandfather, her aunt and her cousin down in Cornwall at a house called Boscarva. There's also the quirky, handsome Joss who frequents the house and Rebecca takes an instant dislike to. Rebecca isn't sure if she's gained a loving family or a group of feuding, unlikable individuals.
Gorgeous setting, interesting characters, nice romance.
Rebecca is 21 and her mother has died. Before she died she finally revealed details about her family and Rebecca is now going to meet them for the first time: her famous painter grandfather, her aunt and her cousin down in Cornwall at a house called Boscarva. There's also the quirky, handsome Joss who frequents the house and Rebecca takes an instant dislike to. Rebecca isn't sure if she's gained a loving family or a group of feuding, unlikable individuals.
Gorgeous setting, interesting characters, nice romance.
February 23, 2021
I'd definitely define this book as 'cosy' but also 'slow'; though I don't think this is a bad thing, personally I enjoy slower narratives. The story had bits of mystery and romance, as well as the whole 'long lost family' narrative to it. Although I felt the story takes a while to build (and I guessed some of the reveals) I sped through the last quarter as I was genuinely hooked on the mystery behind Rebecca's family. Rosamunde Pilcher writes absolutely beautiful lines of description and I found myself stopping to soak in these lines. The ending felt a little rushed but everything is patched up and concluded nicely with a happy ending. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Pilcher and will be looking forward to more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 385 reviews