The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher

A wonderful compelling novel-The Shellseekers' by Rosamunde Pilcher Rosamunde Pilcher has written many novels and short stories. Some of her books have been made, very successfully, into television films and plays. In my opinion, they translate wonderfully to the television screen. Rosamunde Plilcher was made an O.B.E. in 2002 for her services to literature. The novel I am about to review, The Shell Seekers was the book that really got her noticed. I consider Rosamunde Pilcher to be an incredible story teller who involves her reader into the characters from the first pages. I enjoy re reading ... more

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 of each from her perspective. Nancy, the eldest, is a worrier. Noel, the youngest, is self-centered. So it's Olivia, the middle one, who Penelope ... more

I first read this book 20-odd years ago. It's still in print, it's been made into a TV film. 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 counts. It is popular fiction, but has lots of merit as ... more

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 in such a clever way that each section leads neatly on to the next. The novel has sections told from each of the very different characters ... more