The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher

The prologue to 'The Shell Seekers' introduces us to Penelope, a woman in her sixties who is returning home in a taxi after discharging herself from hospital. The first time I read it, I had an immediate image of a strong independent lady, and it was a little worrying to learn that she had been in hospital due to a suspected heart attack. Penelope, we learn, has three grown-up children. As she ponders which one to phone, there is a brief word picture ...
...a worrier. Noel, the youngest, is self-centered. So it's Olivia, the middle one, who Penelope rings to let her know that she's home. The first proper chapter switches to Penelope's eldest daughter Nancy. We see her trying to deal with her pompous husband and two argumentative, demanding teenagers. Poor Nancy spends her life trying to keep up with the neighbours, sending her children to expensive private schools, mixing with the 'right' people - ...

Kukana 05.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher

...And it still retains the immediacy and readability which made it deservedly a best-seller. Since Rosamunde Pilcher, now in her eighties, achieved fame in 1987 after decades of wriitng romantic fiction, there have been many authors who have tried to cover similar ground in much the same way. Most of them are formula writers who I'd give a wide berth to as life is far too short to spend reading rubbish. But Pilcher's story deserves a re-read on many ...
...as easy-to-read literature. The cosy world she evokes is not some imagined fantasy but is based on her own ( very middle-class) life and values - decency, honesty , human failure - which are timeless. But most of all it's worth a go because of the story, which is beautifully told and utterly compelling . The book revolves around Penelope Keeling an her three very diferent children, humdrum housewife Nancy, successful journalist Olivia, and selfish ...

bookaddict 27.07.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher

Rosamunde Pilcher's phenomenally successful novel, The Shell Seekers captures the hearts and minds of all who read it. Despite having a long and distinguished career as a novelist and a short story writer it was this book that won Rosamunde Pilcher her world wide recognition as one of the best-loved novelists of our time. The book is centred around Penelope Keeling and her three children. Penelope's family are one by one introduced and woven together ...
...on to the next. The novel has sections told from each of the very different characters perspectives. By writing in this way Pilcher makes you fall in love with every character (even Noel) despite their downfalls. The descriptions of the locations and scenery make it easy to invisage the houses and town where Penelope Keeling lives. Pilcher's descriptions throughout are incredibly in depth. Every little detail is given on the characters body language, ...

Linkson83 28.01.2004 · Read full review
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Review of The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher