Rosamund Pilcher devoted more than sixty years of her life to writing. But real success came to her with the novel The Shell Seekers, who topped the 1987 bestseller list. Since then, her books have been published in huge numbers.
about the author
Rosamund Scott was born in the village of Lelant, in western Cornwall, England, in 1924. Received secondary education in a private school, then graduated from secretarial courses. She began composing stories when she was seven years old, at eighteen she published her first story. The future writer was born in the family of a naval officer, and during the war she volunteered to join the fleet. In 1943 she was sent to India, where she served until the end of the war.
She met her future husband in 1945 in St. Ives in southwest Cornwall, where Graham Pilcher was recovering from injuries. The following December, they married in Lelanta and left for Dundee, Scotland. In Dundee, Rosamund continued her writing career, and Graham resumed his work at Jute Industries Ltd, and over the next 34 years became an important figure in the textile industry.
Rosamund and Graham have four children. The eldest son, Robin Pilcher, also writes novels. Rosamund's husband Graham Pilcher died in March 2009. In 2000, the writer left literary activity, publishing her latest novel, “The Winter Sun”.
Under the name of jane
During the war years, Rosamund Pilcher published her first story in Woman and Home. Under the pseudonym Jane Frazer wrote novels and novels that were in demand by a female audience. About ten books were published under this pseudonym:
- 1949 - Half-Way to the Moon;
- 1951 - Dangerous Intruder and The Brown Fields;
- 1952, January - Young Bar;
- 1953, January - A Day Like Spring;
- January 1954 - Dear Tom;
- January 1956 - Bridge of Corvie
- 1958 - A Family Affair;
- January 1963 - A Long Way from Home and The Keeper's House.
In 1955, the story A secret to tell was published under the author's own name, and since 1965 she wrote only under the name of Rosamund Pilcher. The novels of the writer are in demand among readers, because the author does not offer any adventurous stories, but realistically describes the relationships of people, nature and feelings. Instead of describing sexual scenes, the writer often put dots. For which her children often teased her.
Cozy novels
The plot in the books of Rosamund Pilcher, as a rule, is unpretentious, but fascinating. She lovingly and warmly describes her heroes and unique landscapes of Scotland and England. The atmosphere on the pages of her novels, with rare exceptions, is so peaceful that, plunging into reading, one often wants to be in a cozy house by the fireplace and read without distracting anything.
The novel The Sleeping Tiger (1967) tells the story of a young girl whom the groom gave the book. In her, she saw a photograph of an author surprisingly similar to her father, who, she was told, died in the war. Selina sets off in search of him. In the book “The End of Summer” (1971), the heroine returns to her native Scotland, and meets the idol of her childhood, which from a boy turned into a handsome man. But soon she realizes that he is not capable of sincere feelings.
The heroes of the novel Wild Mountain Thyme (1978) once loved each other. Having met after a long separation, they leave for a couple of days in an old castle. The failed actress from the novel "Blizzard in April" (1991) is going to connect fate with a man who helped her a lot. But her life was radically changed by a trip to Scotland. The heroes of the book "On Christmas Eve" accidentally ended up in the same house. And in the life of each of them wonderful changes will occur.
The novel “Under the Sign of Gemini” tells about the sisters separated in childhood. Once they accidentally meet in a cafe. The cunning Rose decides to get rid of the annoying groom with the help of an unsuspecting twin sister. "Carousel" and "Empty House" - these novels are united by one thing: unique landscapes, family comfort, a house where you are loved and the heroines who have a choice.
The novels that are read “by the fireplace” include “Stormy Day” and “Start Again”. Their heroines are young, attractive and both are ready to upset the regularity of an established life. The time has come for a change. “September” (1990) is a very cozy book in which the author slowly introduces the reader to his characters, leads into each house, and tells their life, their stories. And no matter what sorrows fell on their lot, they will stand, because they are together and this is the source of their strength.
"Other" books
The book “Voices of Summer” (1984) is not a typical novel for Rosamund Pilcher. On the one hand, there are unique landscapes, a cozy mansion, and a young girl who is looking for her love. And finds. She got married, but it seems to her that the shadow of the first wife is always there. Then Laura goes for several weeks to Cornwall to his family, to whom she gradually becomes attached. But peace breaks an anonymous letter. This is where deceit, poison and mystery appear.
“Flowers in the Rain” - stories, small sketches of human life: the newlyweds split, betrayal, which is difficult to reconcile with. Realistic life episodes filled with life wisdom and optimism. The second collection, Blue Bedroom, introduces different heroes: a boy who first faced death, a lonely old lady who found out what someone needed. All these stories remind us of the main thing, that it is more important than all the turmoil, difficulties and quarrels, that there is nothing more important than relatives and friends.
"Homecoming" (1995) - a popular novel, which is known for its series. Judith's parents are leaving, and she remains in England. She meets Lovedy, and her family becomes her second family. The war begins and she goes to serve. Once during a vacation, a girl meets someone who will become her fate. An unusual novel for Rosamund Pilcher - there is no idyll and fabulousness here. Of course, the book is about friendship, love, childhood, but there are so many disappointments on the way of Judith that she hardly believes in a successful outcome.
That same novel
The book, which brought the author worldwide fame - "Family heirloom." Its circulation exceeded 5 million copies. For more than thirty weeks, she took first place in the NYT bestseller list, entered the list of books, according to the Air Force, must be read.
Rosamund Pilcher introduces readers to three generations of the Stern family. In the best traditions of the English novel, the writer keeps the readers in suspense, making them wonder how to resolve the conflict that erupted in the family. The original title of the novel is “Seekers of the Shells”, that’s what the family heirloom is called, a picture against which events unfold. The old woman Penelope, the protagonist of the novel, she is sixty-four years old, recently survived a heart attack.
Cheerful and kind, there were a lot of things in her life. But only here is little happiness. She was happy in her father's family, because they lived for themselves and did not look back at others. She was sure that everyone was happy in marriage. But everything in her life turned out differently. My husband did not see happiness. And the children were not particularly pleased.
The eldest daughter tries to match the prosperous lady, her thoughts are only occupied with where to get the money. The middle daughter is successful and independent. The youngest son marks everything in high society, but he is not very successful in this.
Penelope inherited the painting. And the children got the idea to sell paintings. But for her, this memory is not so much about her father as about the only love of her life. And are heirlooms really paintings? Maybe the memory of the departed relatives? Maybe Penelope, keeping the spirit of her family, becomes a relic?
A measured and kind novel, which contains life wisdom, as in many works of Rosamund Pilcher. Films based on her novels also talk about love, friendship, suffering. About life itself. And, of course, landscapes, unique landscapes of Scotland and England.
Rosamund herself did not live for a long time after moving to Dundee in Cornwall. But tourists frequented there, Prido Castle, where eight films were shot based on the novels of the writer, became one of the main attractions of Cornwall. Over fifteen people come to take a look at it. The owner of the castle, Peter, says that he himself is not averse to acting in films based on Rosamund’s novels.