Picking Up The Pieces-Tpb

by Mary Sheepshanks

A story of the unadmitted power struggles between four generations of women. Kate is in her fifties, recently widowed and both helped and hindered by her mother Cicely. When her daughter Joanna's husband walks out, Kate realizes it is time to step outside her family's expectations.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

35 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1997

About the author

Mary Sheepshanks is now publishing under her maiden name, Mary Nickson. Her works published as Nickson include Secrets and Shadows, a sequel to Off Balance.

Reviews

[Suanne Laqueur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, solid read for people who like this sort of thing (which I do). Rich description and dialogue make the rural English setting feel familiar, even for those of us who don't own cottage farms or drink afternoon tea.

I really should start drinking afternoon tea.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kate is in her fifties, recently widowed, and coping with the difficulties -- and occasional pleasures -- of flying solo. Helped and hindered in equal measures by her delightful but wicked old mother-in-law Cicely, she finds new strengths and must face undiscovered weaknesses. But when her daughter is estranged by her husband, Kate finds herself forced into a role she cannot assume, and she realizes it is time to step outside her family's preconceived notions. What follows is a delightful story of the relationships and unspoken power struggles between four generations of women."
~~front flap

It's also a gentle, wonderful love story -- of the Rosamund Pilcher or Kate Willett style. A book to curl up with, to let the world fade away and to be comforted by.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, entertaining story of a 50ish widow who finds a new love after her successful but secretly dreadful husband dies. Not quite as good as Joanna Trollope but fun. When I tell you that this was not only the large print edition, but that it has "From Rosamunde Pilcher's Bookshelf" printed on the cover, you know all you need to know.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light entertainment. Predictable.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable novel featuring a four-generation family. The grandmother Kate is the main protagonist. There are some excellent, believable characters and a clear, gentle plot with many interesting sub-plots.

I first read it in 2001 and had totally forgotten the story when I re-read it eighteen years later. So there were some surprises that I didn't see coming - and they worked very well.

Great writing, good pace, some light humour and some very moving scenes. Almost impossible to put down.

This book works as a kind of sequel to 'A Price for Everything', with some of the characters from that appearing as minor ones in this novel.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes women's fiction.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was a nice diversion from the Pilcher books that I hope to mimic. The only thing missing was the sea. The story of Kate Rendelsham & Just Jack was beautiful. I was taken in & looking forward to more. I was so relieved when Harriet found her benedictine father. I also enjoyed the mending of Joanna & Harriet's relationship. Pretty good book. I'll try another. It's easy to see why Sheepshanks books are on Pilcher's bookcase.

Ok, finished this book 2 days ago and I'm still thinking about it. I'm reading 2 new books, but this book won't leave my mind. It's lingering and my thoughts drift to The Observatory....

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romance-of-sorts, very Brit 'cosy' light read: think 'Older Chick Lit'.

Interesting, well-developed story of 50-something recent widow of a less-than-thrilling man who, finally, finds 'true' love and discovers her own self along the way. With a true mixed-bag of supporting characters, all very British, and many side observations that can be viewed as either interesting or annoying, depending on your mood/views. Might get heavy for American readers, but still worthy it enough.

I tried her other novels afterwards but found them closer to 'annoying' than 'interesting'! :)

[Mary Stagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet little book. Kate has been widowed and lives in some luxury in an old farmhouse in Yorkshire with her mother in law encased in the attic flat and her domineering daughter in the converted stable with her family. It's a story about reinventing yourself in late middle age and luckily Kate has a skill she can use to set up a business and by chance finds the perfect house to live in with a rather nice chap that she runs across. As expected it all turns out beautifully with a couple of bumps on the way.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a recent used book sale I picked up this book due to the 'Rosamunde Pilcher's Bookshelf' label and introduction. I love her books (though she is no longer writing) http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/r... and also the ones by her son Robin Pilcher http://www.robinpilcher.co.uk/, which are similar in style. I hope this will be an indicater that this book will be one I will enjoy also.

More to follow. . .

>WD

[Martha Valasek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the mother-daughter relationship aspect in the bookand seeing how the main character steps out and begins a career in her 50's. Somewhat of a surprised and happy ending...but you have to wade through a lot of bumpy relational drama. It did remind me of Rosamunde Pilcher books, though.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The main character Kate Rendlesham did a lot of growing as a person during the book but then she needed to. She had let other people use and control her for far too many years.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good airplane reading stuff! She writes like Maeve Binchy.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pleasant book, not earth shattering but just enough to enjoy if you want something light and easy. I enjoyed it.

[Eileen Pucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is on the "Rosamunde Pilcher Bookshelf." Apparently Roz has given the nod to a selection of authors/novels that are worth a read. This one was fun, but it wasn't as good as Roz's best.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

""