Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher is a heartwarming novel set in a picturesque village in Scotland during the winter months. The story revolves around a group of diverse characters who find solace and companionship in each other's company, forming unexpected relationships that lead to healing and growth. Elfrida, a retired actress, plays a central role in bringing together the lives of five individuals who are facing various challenges and seeking a sense of belonging. As the characters navigate grief, love, and new beginnings, the narrative unfolds with a gentle and comforting tone, capturing the essence of found family and the power of connection.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each representing different life stages and experiences, coming together to form a makeshift family.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is beautifully crafted, characterized by a lyrical style that deeply connects readers to the characters and their experiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around several individuals facing loneliness and grief, who find solace and friendship as their lives intertwine during the winter solstice.

Setting:

The setting is a picturesque Scottish village, enhancing the cozy and festive nature of the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, providing ample time for character exploration and emotional resonance, though some may find it elongated.

Before Elfrida Phipps left London for good and moved to the country, she made a trip to the Battersea Dogs’ Home, and returned with a canine companion. It took a good-and heart-rending-half-hour of se...

Notes:

The book centers around five characters with intertwining stories, mostly set in Scotland during the winter holiday season.

Elfrida Phipps, a retired actress, is one of the main characters who tries to start fresh in a small village after a significant life change.

There is a theme of loneliness and healing, as each character deals with their personal struggles and finds companionship.

The novel contains elements of romance, but also explores platonic friendships, especially highlighting the relationship between Sam and Carrie.

There is mention of real-life issues including adultery and grief, giving a more complex view of relationships compared to typical romance novels.

Elfrida adopts a dog named Horace, making her character more relatable and endearing.

The narrative flips between multiple perspectives, allowing more insight into each character's life and thoughts.

The setting in a picturesque Scottish village during winter adds a cozy atmosphere to the story, enhancing its appeal as a holiday read.

The overall tone of the book is described as warm and comforting, making it a popular choice for seasonal reading.

Readers appreciate the lack of overly sentimental or clichéd endings, which makes the story feel more authentic and relatable.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of adultery, grief, and loss, which might be sensitive to some readers but are handled with care throughout the narrative.

Has Romance?

Romance is present but not the central focus. Relationships develop, but the main plot centers more on personal growth and connections among characters.

From The Publisher:

In Winter Solstice Rosamunde Pilcher brings her readers into the lives of five very different people....

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 Australia 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.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (2)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (3)

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About the Author:

Rosamunde Pilcher (1924- 2019) wrote such worldwide bestselling novels as The Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home, Winter Solstice, and Voices in Summer. Her breakthrough novel, The Shell Seekers, written in her early sixties, sold more than 10 million copies. Pilcher also authored the photographic autobiography, The World of Rosamunde Pilcher. She was an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and lived in Dundee, Scotland.

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Winter Solstice

Rosamunde Pilcher