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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This is a very slow novel and, I think, maybe too lengthy, but it is very classic Pilcher. She is always so consistent in her pacing and getting in the heads of her characters. Her novels always feel a little dated to me, but I always like her settings and while her characters aren't always likeable, they are always realistic. I loved the setting of rural Scotland. There is a bit of language and some adulterous relationships (either past or present) but nothing is described, only alluded to or implied.
The problem for me in reading a Rosamund Pilcher novel is that all the good women, the lovable women, are domestic goddesses. They find great fulfillment in their homes, their cooking, their gardening. They would never serve a guest a convenience food item or take them out for dinner instead of serving them a first-rate homecooked meal.
I'd rather read a book. I’m a decent cook, but I don't get much enjoyment out of it. Our home is nice, but I am bored senseless by the traditional crafts of homemaking. When we entertain, it's because I want to spend time with the people we've invited, it's not about the food or the decorations or the freaking fresh flowers. Reading a book where women like me are invariably lonely, lost souls who end up as shriveled old spinsters just gets irritating after awhile.
But still I read all the way through this one (600+ pages) in a couple of days with a minimum of skimming, so there must have been something about it that worked for me. I almost put it down in disgust when she couldn't let go of the madwoman-in-the-attic level portrayal of the mentally ill Lottie. It was an almost comically stereotyped characterization. And there was some soap opera melodrama in the middle that just felt forced, like Pilcher felt like she had to throw in something she deemed racy to keep up with the times.
But I know this novel is much beloved by many. I've probably given you enough information here so that you can tell if you, like me, would find it close to intolerable. Two and a half stars rounded up to three, because my 3 ratings mean “good enough to finish” and I did finish it.
I'd rather read a book. I’m a decent cook, but I don't get much enjoyment out of it. Our home is nice, but I am bored senseless by the traditional crafts of homemaking. When we entertain, it's because I want to spend time with the people we've invited, it's not about the food or the decorations or the freaking fresh flowers. Reading a book where women like me are invariably lonely, lost souls who end up as shriveled old spinsters just gets irritating after awhile.
But still I read all the way through this one (600+ pages) in a couple of days with a minimum of skimming, so there must have been something about it that worked for me. I almost put it down in disgust when she couldn't let go of the madwoman-in-the-attic level portrayal of the mentally ill Lottie. It was an almost comically stereotyped characterization. And there was some soap opera melodrama in the middle that just felt forced, like Pilcher felt like she had to throw in something she deemed racy to keep up with the times.
But I know this novel is much beloved by many. I've probably given you enough information here so that you can tell if you, like me, would find it close to intolerable. Two and a half stars rounded up to three, because my 3 ratings mean “good enough to finish” and I did finish it.
I enjoyed the book, even with its dark and sad ending. The characters were detailed and I liked the way they intersected with each other throughout the book. I loved the rich descriptions of Scotland and the village. It is quite a long book, but doesn’t feel cumbersome to read.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not want this book to end. Rose Munda is a fantastic author I wish I could get her books written in the 50s and 60s.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
September was the last of Pilcher's "Big Four" that I read. It almost took the top spot as my favorite, but Winter Solstice is staying in that spot. Nevertheless, my goodness. What an absolute gem of a novel. I honestly don't even know where to begin.
The feelings of these characters are almost palpable. I was particularly drawn to the women in this novel, especially Virginia. I enjoyed witnessing her evolution as a wife, as a mother, and especially as a woman. There is an element of suspense in this novel that drives the plot forward, unlike any of the other "Big Four." The suspense revolves around two aspects of the plot - Lottie's mental illness and the state of numerous marriages and love interests.
Lottie's mental illness is portrayed in troubling ways at times, and I had to remind myself that this book was published in 1990 and the story takes place in the 1980s (I think - perhaps earlier). I enjoyed the marriage / love interest angles more than I thought I would. Edmund & Virginia, for all their faults, are my favorite couple.
Thematically, I saw echoes of the work of Kate Chopin - an author who I believe is severely underrated and not discussed nearly enough. This novel is about, among many other things, women who are struggling to make decisions. I became particularly attached to the choices of Pandora and Virginia, who act as foils to each other throughout the novel. I won't say anymore for fear of giving something away, but if you like this themes of this nature, I think you'd enjoy this novel.
I am forever jealous of everyone who gets to experience Pilcher's "Big Four" for the first time, but I will also be a lifelong re-reader of these extraordinary novels.
What a joy it was to read September in September.
The feelings of these characters are almost palpable. I was particularly drawn to the women in this novel, especially Virginia. I enjoyed witnessing her evolution as a wife, as a mother, and especially as a woman. There is an element of suspense in this novel that drives the plot forward, unlike any of the other "Big Four." The suspense revolves around two aspects of the plot - Lottie's mental illness and the state of numerous marriages and love interests.
Lottie's mental illness is portrayed in troubling ways at times, and I had to remind myself that this book was published in 1990 and the story takes place in the 1980s (I think - perhaps earlier). I enjoyed the marriage / love interest angles more than I thought I would. Edmund & Virginia, for all their faults, are my favorite couple.
Thematically, I saw echoes of the work of Kate Chopin - an author who I believe is severely underrated and not discussed nearly enough. This novel is about, among many other things, women who are struggling to make decisions. I became particularly attached to the choices of Pandora and Virginia, who act as foils to each other throughout the novel. I won't say anymore for fear of giving something away, but if you like this themes of this nature, I think you'd enjoy this novel.
I am forever jealous of everyone who gets to experience Pilcher's "Big Four" for the first time, but I will also be a lifelong re-reader of these extraordinary novels.
What a joy it was to read September in September.
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Medical trauma
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes