Winter Solstice

By: Rosamunde Pilcher

Narrated by: Jilly Bond

Length: 17 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Rosamunde Pilcher, Winter Solstice (the basis for the TV movie) is the story of five unforgettable characters, lonely and haunted strangers who find love and loyalty as a reborn family of friends during the Christmas holidays.

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 Austria at the end of an ill-fated affair with a married man to find her mother and sister sharing a home and squabbling endlessly. With Christmas approaching, Carrie agrees to look after her sister'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.

“Tender…evocative…an occasion to celebrate.”—People

“[Readers] may find so much enjoyment in Winter Solstice that they’ll want to revisit some of her other books, such as The Shell Seekers and Coming Home.” —USA Today

©2000 Rosamunde Pilcher (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.

Critic reviews

“The author of The Shell Seekers has penned another romance sure to give fans the warm fuzzies.” —Publishers Weekly

“Elegant reading in which Rosamunde Pilcher provides the two hallmarks of her writing: gentle, atomospheric recreation of English lifestyles and an appealing cast of interesting people whose lives come together for new experiences while theyre making other plans.” —RT Book Reviews (four stars)

“... remarkably evocative sense of place and watercolorist's eye for muted detail.” —Kirkus Reviews

Delightful!

Such an enjoyable book. Her story development is always spot on and you fall in love with all the characters. It takes you out of this hectic world and transports you to a much slower, simpler place.

Rosamunde Pilcher At Her Best

What a delight that Rosamunde Pilcher's books have been put, once again, to audio.

I'm certainly biased, as Coming Home remains after all these years, my favorite book of all time.

Winter Solstice is still a top contender too....a poignant tale of people broken; virtual orphans for various reasons, who find joy and healing with each other, and a delightful hodge podge of people in a small Scottish highlands community at Christmas time.

Don't miss this charming story.

Excellent writing and narration

If you appreciate the meaning of the Danish term "hygge," and are looking for a Christmas time or winter read, this is a great choice. This is my first Pilcher book, but it won't be my last. I was completely caught up in the vivid imagery and friendly characters of this novel. Pilcher has the ability to make you feel you are walking right into each scene, along with her characters. Warmth and conviviality abound. Jilly Bond's narration really brings it all to life. I'm glad to have this as a part of my audio library, and will enjoy it again and again.

Good story but…

The storyline was very good a true to the author!! However that being said the narrator drive me crazy with her voices!! Everyone sounded either infantile or or WELL beyond their years. The 14 year old sounded like a 4 year old, the 30 year olds sounded well past 70 and don’t get me started with the 60 year olds!! So if you can get past that and want to hear a good story then commit to this one. Pilcher will forever be one of my favorites!

A Wonderful Christmastime Treat

This Rosamunde Pilcher novel has always been one of my favorites, but Jilly Bond's performance elevates it to a higher level. I say performs, because this audiobook is far more than just a reading of the text. She makes each character's persona and voice distinct from the others, interpreted and acted as if a one-woman show on the stage or screen. Of course, Elfrida and Oscar are special, and Ms. Bond captures the nuances and poignancy, the joys and heartbreak, of their lives. But so too are the more secondary characters special as well. One wishes to be a part of this snowed-in "house party" in the Sutherland region of Scotland, to share a winter picnic or a Christmas present shopping expedition, and even to help navigate with them the various crises that occur. Every December, I treat myself to a listen of this Audible book (and sometimes, once finished, start it all up again from the beginning). It is just that enjoyable!!

Wonderful Holiday Feel Good Read

This was my first Rosamund Pilcher novel, and I quite enjoyed it. The narrator did a fairly good creating unique voices for each character, only a couple were at times screechy. The two primary voices - Elfrida and Oscar were both quite good and pleasant to listen to. I'm sure this is a book I'll want to return to each holiday season. Looking forward to exploring more of Rosamund Pilcher's works.

Lovely Christmas read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story.
Jilly Bond read the book with great excitement
And I was captivated from the onset!

Love Roseamund Pilcher Books

I like to read Winter Solstice every year at Christmas. Great story, interesting characters. First time listening on audible and enjoyed the Narrator.

A lovely story

This audiobook was such a pleasure. I loved the language and vocabulary usage. Rosamunde Pilcher weaves a beautiful story!

Such a Pleasure

It is a story I have read a few times and enjoyed the family connections and description of the English life. Listening to it adds another delightful dimension.