Book Review of
Winter Solstice
Elfrida Phipps, once of London’s stage, moved to the English village of Dibton in hopes of making a new life for herself. Gradually she settled into the comfortable familiarity of village life — shopkeepers knowing her tastes, neighbors calling her by name — still she finds herself lonely.
Oscar Blundell gave up his life as a musician in order to marry Gloria. They have a beautiful daughter, Francesca, and it is only because of their little girl that Oscar views his sacrificed career as worthwhile.
Carrie returns from Austria at the end of an ill-fated affair with a married man to find her mother and aunt sharing a home and squabbling endlessly. With Christmas approaching, Carrie agrees to look after her aunt’s awkward and quiet teenage daughter, Lucy, so that her mother might enjoy a romantic fling in America.
Sam Howard is trying to pull his life back together after his wife has left him for another. He is without home and without roots, all he has is his job. Business takes him to northern Scotland, where he falls in love with the lush, craggy landscape and set his sights on a house.
It is the strange rippling effects of a tragedy that will bring these five characters together in a large, neglected estate house near the Scottish fishing town of Creagan.
It is in this house, on the shortest day of the year, that the lives of five people will come together and be forever changed. Rosamunde Pilcher’s long-awaited return to the page will warm the hearts of readers both old and new. Winter Solstice is a novel of love, loyalty and rebirth.
Lynn's Review
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher was one of the last books that I read in 2021. It was the perfect winter read.
Winter Solstice is one of four books that Rosamund Pilcher wrote based on the seasons. I think most people start with the summer one, The Shell Seekers, but I decided to start with winter.
I would describe this as a slow quiet novel, but describing it like that makes it sound boring and it wasn’t boring at all.
This book is about people living everyday life in Scotland. There is death, marriage, divorce, family drama, life changes, friendships, and more. It is about the good and bad things in life and it is beautifully written.
One of the reasons that I loved this book is the setting. It took me to a place that I know very little about. And since the book is set in winter, it made a great winter read for me. I plan to read the three other books this year during the seasons they are set in.
I read many of Rosamund Pilcher’s shorter novels from the library in my twenties many many years ago. Probably after reading Shell Seekers and looking for more by her. It’s nice to know her work is still enjoyed by so many.
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed her too. I can’t wait to read more of her books. can’t believe that it took me so long to read one. I know a lot of people that read Shell Seekers years ago and still talk about it being a favorite. I can see why Rosamund Pilcher is loved by so many. I plan to read Shell Seekers this summer because it seems like they will be best read in the seasons that they are set.