Winter Solstice

Rosamunde Pilcher

Recommended by : Lady DonnaC

Genre: Romantic Fiction

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Winter Solstice is the latest book from Rosamunde Pilcher. Like all of her books, it is a very homely and domesticated yarn. She specialises in pleasant, well-written books of ordinary people in real life situations who come together in a very realistic fashion. The characters are very well described, and you get the feeling that you know these people, or at least they remind you of people you do know. The main locations of the book are Sussex, Cornwall, and the highlands of Scotland.

Winter Solstice tells a story of 3 different generations of developing relationships. The five main characters come together in a large house in Scotland in the days leading up to Christmas.

The story is told chapter by chapter by each of the characters in turn, which is usually a literary devise that I do not like, but this time it seems to work, possibly because there are not too many characters involved. Each brings their own perspective to the unfolding events.

Elfrida and Oscar are that rarity in modern 'romance fiction', a mature age couple in their 60's. There are very few books that deal with people in this age group, focussing on life in the later years, but still young and healthy enough to find new love. They are trying to come to grips with a great loss in each of their lives, but looking forward to new experiences.

Oscar, recovering from a tragedy in his life, realises that a change of scene is necessary and decides to go to Scotland to check out an old house in which he has inherited a half share. Elfrida accompanies him, purely as companionship and an extra driver, but of course...

Carrie (Elfrida's niece) has just returned to London from working in Austria, still grieving after the breakdown of her big romance. Her London flat is occupied until January, and as she is currently 'homeless', takes up Elfrida's offer to spend Christmas with her and Oscar.

Sam's employer has recently purchased a derelict woollen mill in Scotland, and it is his job to assess the building and contents for future operation. At a dinner party, he meets a man who says " I have just inherited a half share in a house just near there, it's empty, you can stay there'. So, he arrives on the doorstep in the middle of a snow storm, to find the house already occupied. Due to the weather, there is no option but for him to stay until conditions improve.

Carrie and Sam's is the most 'traditional' of the 3 developing friendships in the book and perhaps the most predictable. No big sex scenes here, just a quiet and gentle feeling of growing togetherness.

Lucy (Carrie's niece), is a teenager living in London with her mother and grandmother, both of whom have made plans for Christmas that do not include her. To her self-centered family, she is 'in the way', so Carrie steps in and invites her to join the others in Scotland for the holidays.

Rory, the son of the local minister, takes Lucy under his wing and shows her around the area. From him she gains the first genuine friendship she has ever known, a first friendship with the opposite sex that is delightful to see, and makes us all remember our first love.

I first came to Rosamonde Pilcher with her first best seller 'The Shell Seekers' which has previously been reviewed in this section by Lady Sylvia A (see archive).

Rosamunde's other books include September and Coming Home.

For a great relaxing read, either in front of a winter fire, or lying on a lounge by the pool during your summer holidays, I thoroughly recommend Rosamunde Pilcher.

See also
Ladies of Lallybroch - More Reading Recommendations