Monday, July 25, 2022

Book Review - The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher

 

The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher
St. Martin's Press - 1997
(purchase)
20 Books of Summer

This is a book I've long meant to try and this past week was the perfect times to sit, relax and savor this gem.  Pilcher has a real talent of setting up her story in way where the reader gets to know everything about each character and get a feel for whatever the setting may be. Her books are long but, never a wasted word IMO either.

This is a story about Penelope Keeling, the family matriarch, now 64 years old,  she has just been released from the hospital following a heart attack.  She has (3) adult children, all very different as each views their childhood experiences quite differently and have turned out quite different as adults as well. Nancy, the oldest couldn't be more different from her mother - she is the only one who married and was a fancy woman, who wants everything showy and proper, appearances are everything.  Noel, the middle child was just going through the motions of life, looking to take the easy way to financial security. At 23, when he was still living at home with his mother instead of thinking about making his way in life, Penelope moved and told  him it was time to go out on his own.  Olivia, the youngest, was the most genuine, IMO,  She seemed to be the only one who fondly remembered her childhood. and was most like her mother.  

At the center of the story is a painting called "The Shell Seekers, painted by Penelope's father, Lawrence Stern, when Noel and Nancy realize the painting can sell for a huge amount of money, they encourage their mother to sell it while Olivia, who knows how much it means to their mother, feels it should remain with Penelope as it means so much to her.  It was interesting to learn about Penelope's early life back in Cornwall during WWII, people living with other people, the men in her life, the beautiful moments and life's tragedies.   This is a book to be enjoyed, and savored. You just don't find many gems like these today. Originally written in 1987. Highly Recommended

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Quotes

  • “The greatest gift a parent can leave a child is that parent's own independence.” 
  • “As long as Mumma was alive, she knew that some small part of herself had remained a child, cherished and adored. Perhaps you never completely grew up until your mother died.” 
  • “She had never lived alone before, and at first found it strange, but gradually had learned to accept it as a blessing and to indulge herself in all sorts of reprehensible ways, like getting up when she felt like it, scratching herself if she itched, sitting up until two in the morning to listen to a concert.” 
  • “Living, now, had become not simple existence that one took for granted, but a bonus, a gift, with every day that lay ahead an experience to be savoured. Time did not last forever. I shall not waste a single moment, she promised herself. She had never felt so strong, so optimistic. As though she was young once more, starting out, and something marvelous was just about to happen.” 

21 comments:

  1. Wonderful review. Happy to hear you enjoyed it.

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  2. Yes, I too have been meaning to read this for years. I mean like probably 30! It's on my list for the Summer reading challenge so this time I hope to read it as you clearly loved it.

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    1. Excellent story - I love how you really get wrapped up in characters, setting etc. and that I grew to care about some of the characters as well.

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  3. This was the first Rosamunde Pilcher book I ever read, and I totally loved it. But then, I love most of her books. :D

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    1. I read Winter Solstice in Dec/Jan and loved it so much I decided to reads others. This is fine writing - love her style.

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  4. I thought I had read this years ago but I checked and it's not in my reviews.

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  5. It's a story I'm sure you would enjoy but, I don't recommend the audios because of the accents.

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  6. I reread this a couple of summers ago and loved it all over again... definitely stood the test of time for me. So glad it was a winner for you, too!

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  7. Glad you enjoyed it as well JoAnn; perfect summer read.

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  8. I love this one! September is Noel's story and takes place a couple of years after this one and is interesting.

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  9. Oh....Noel wasn't a character I loved but, maybe he comes around in September LOL. I heard Coming Home and September were excellent as well.

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    1. Diane, I'll give my thumbs-up to both September and Coming Home. Don't want to spoil September, but just saying - give it a try. It's been years since I read any of this wonderful author's books, but it's nice to see others discovering them.

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  10. This is one that I, too, have always meant to read but somehow never got around to. Maybe your excellent review will give me the push I need to just get on with it.

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    1. Her writing style is delightful Dorothy. I really enjoyed it but, loved Winter Solstice even a tad more.

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  11. Oh, this is one of my all-time favorite books. I've now read it twice and I'm eager to read Coming Home later in the year. She was such a great author and her books are so comforting. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it so well. Winter Solstice is even better, isn't it? September is great, too!

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  12. This first quote that you listed really resonated with me: “The greatest gift a parent can leave a child is that parent's own independence.” Probably because I am moving out of my parents/my childhood home and into my own condo. It will feel good to be on my own again.

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  13. Great review, Diane! This sounds like a character-driven story. Have not heard about this book so will have to check it out.

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  14. Diane,
    Oh, sigh! How I loved and still cherish this book. I will read it again and will suffer the agonies of the grief and loss, yet I'll love again the soaring moments, the so true moments. Your review really struck at the heart of what is so unique about this novel. I am late in responding to your post, but I do hope you'll see it. Like minds!

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  15. I've always meant to read this novel too. I still think I will. Back when it came out I was working in an indie bookstore after college in Colorado .... and it was a Huge bestseller .... only Lonesome Dove could compete with the sales of the Shell Seekers ... two novels I need to make time for! Glad you liked it.

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    1. Susan, you just reminded me that I said early in the year that I hoped to read Lonesome Dove and Bonfire of the Vanities this year:)

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