Scan barcode
rebroxannape's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite of Rosamunde's "Big" books. Her little books are gems. I loved the setting of the novel and the WWII time period in England. Loved the romance, but there was too long a time and too long a misunderstanding, where we are teased with them crossing paths again and resolving everything but it just doesn't happen until the end. Such a pleasure to read about two nice people with no horrible "issues". Loved the mini-series as well!
macheath's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Read on a recommendation by the fine SF writer Jo Walton. This long novel is usually shelved as a romance novel because it's concerned with the lives of women but it's not really that, it's what used to be derisorily called a "women's novel" (maybe they still are) as though the lives of women are inherently of less interest than the lives of men. Starting in the 1930s, we follow main character Judith, a girl who is enrolled in a boarding school in Cornwall when her parents move for work reasons to Singapore. As we progress through Judith's schooldays and her friendship with an upper-class family who take her in when family complications arise, World War Two begins to creep in around the edges. This is a book about the idyllic last summers of the 1930s, after which everyone's lives irrevocably changed. There is deprivation and rationing, the charming young men in Judith's social circle begin to disappear, she joins military service, and her parents and young sister, well, they are in Singapore. To her credit, Pilcher doesn't succumb entirely to nostalgia; a sexual assault occurs, and Judith comes to realize that with the wealth and privilege her adopted family enjoys also comes irresponsibility. This was really good, a vividly described and compelling doorstopper of a novel to just sink into.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, War, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
joanns's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The perfect book to begin 2024 and a new favorite!
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
Coming home by Rosamunde Pilcher
Have read some of the author's other works and have enjoyed them.
Book starts out with one life that starts out as a young teen and her world is turned upside down.
1935 and Judith Dunbar and her friend Heather Warren are attending school where Christmas parties are just ending and they are on their way home.
Judith will not be returning once school starts in the new year. She will be going to the strict St. Elizabeth where they have uniforms and she will be a boarder. Her mother and toddler sister would return to the Far East as they join her father who's working.
Very long book but worth all the detailed descriptions of not only the surrounding countryside but her feelings along the way. Broken up into her teen years and adult years.
Story also follows people she and the family meet over the years. Love parts about knitting for the troops as I've done that recently myself.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Have read some of the author's other works and have enjoyed them.
Book starts out with one life that starts out as a young teen and her world is turned upside down.
1935 and Judith Dunbar and her friend Heather Warren are attending school where Christmas parties are just ending and they are on their way home.
Judith will not be returning once school starts in the new year. She will be going to the strict St. Elizabeth where they have uniforms and she will be a boarder. Her mother and toddler sister would return to the Far East as they join her father who's working.
Very long book but worth all the detailed descriptions of not only the surrounding countryside but her feelings along the way. Broken up into her teen years and adult years.
Story also follows people she and the family meet over the years. Love parts about knitting for the troops as I've done that recently myself.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
carolainam's review against another edition
5.0
4,5 *
Llorando todas las noche durante casi dos semanas, madre mía. Cornualles, bien de melancolía, segunda guerra mundial, amantes separados y familias rotas, un dramón de los buenos, como para no llorar.
No le doy el 5 por ciertos comentarios a los que ya acostumbra Pilcher. Sí, ya sé que era anciana cuando escribió esto, y muy inglesa, pero no puedo no tenerselo en cuenta. Por suerte en esta ocasión han sido breves y en contraposición había discursos que defendían la independencia económica de la mujer así como la importancia de su inclusión en la educación superior y la libertad sexual de las mismas.
Llorando todas las noche durante casi dos semanas, madre mía. Cornualles, bien de melancolía, segunda guerra mundial, amantes separados y familias rotas, un dramón de los buenos, como para no llorar.
No le doy el 5 por ciertos comentarios a los que ya acostumbra Pilcher. Sí, ya sé que era anciana cuando escribió esto, y muy inglesa, pero no puedo no tenerselo en cuenta. Por suerte en esta ocasión han sido breves y en contraposición había discursos que defendían la independencia económica de la mujer así como la importancia de su inclusión en la educación superior y la libertad sexual de las mismas.
carolynell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lahempstead3's review against another edition
4.0
Endearing saga of a young girl, left behind at a boarding school in Cornwall while her parents were living in the East Indies prior to WWII. She comes of age with the help of a school friend and her wealthy family and finds love, heartbreak, tragic loss and finally herself. I love Rosamunde Pilcher and realized part way in, I have read this one about 25 years ago. I was worth revisiting, just dragged a bit towards the end.
jewelsj's review against another edition
5.0
She writes such good comfort food kind of books, I just love them all! Wholesome goodness. Her writing is so descriptive and detailed, you can feel and see everything. ❤️
gusmareads24's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It kept me engaged but I’m not a fan of her writing style. If it weren’t for a challenge, I probably would have set it aside after the first 20 pages or so.
traciemasek's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man this book reads like pure indulgent nostalgia and I loved every second of it and wish there was a whole series