The Empty House

If you have never read Rosamund Pilcher, you are missing a real treat! This book is filled with wonderful, great, superb descriptions of English farming life in Cornwall! Pilcher weaves word in a way that makes you feel that right outside your own window lies the sea and lowing cattle. When reading this book, I could feel the rain on my face, smell the sea-salt air, hear the mewling of the kittens that Cara and Nicholas carried out of Eustace's barn, taste the ice cream that Eustace got for Virginia! I must say that I have to disagree with some of the reviewers about the main character Virginia being a spoiled brat. She had been domineered by her mother, mother-in-law, husband, and Nanny her entire life. She didn't know how to stand on her own two feet. She wanted a "normal" life, away from the elitism of the British upper class. She even mentioned this to Anthony. She said it made her feel sad to see husbands and wives with their children carrying packages to their beat up cars and in Anthonys view they had nothing. However, Virginia saw that they had much, much more then she could ever dream of having. I think that is where the title of this book, The Empty House, hit home with me. Sure, she had a huge country estate in Scotland and a round of parties to go to with everyone waiting on her hand and foot, but the house was empty. Not like Penfolda, Eustaces farm house, where everything smelled of "baking bread" and "manury." It was a real home, filled with real life. And this is what she was trying to re-create at the home she rented. As far as Virginia and Eustace coming together after four meetings, that is part of the charm of a Pilcher book. Pure escapism. If her mother had given her the phone messages and letter, who knows what could have happened. They may have gotten together a whole lot sooner, but then, there wouldn't have been much of a plot! If you read this book for nothing else, do read it for the descriptions of Cornish life. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

This was the first book I ever read by Rosamunde Pilcher and I liked it so much that I subsequently sought out all of her other books. I have to disagree with the reviewer who described the main character, Virginia, as someone who was evidently content to let her life be dictated to her. She was not content, and this is described more than once in the book, through flashbacks. She was simply a person who had been dominated by a controlling mother her entire life and never learned to take control of a situtation herself. This book is about second chances and how she learns to be an assertive and truly alive person. I found it a joy to read.

I am in the process of reading all of Rosamunde Pilcher's books. This is the fifth of her "novellas" - short novels - that I have read. It is my favorite Pilcher book so far. It was an 'easy read' filled with cozy descriptions of English country life. I loved the plotline - a woman whose husband has died, and who has had a domineering mother and mother-in-law, has to find the courage to start life all over again, on her own. But, we know a romantic figure will enter and help her out once she gets this courage. This was the first Picher novella that I read that specifically dealt with English country farming life. It was charming and I hated it when I had to put the book down to do something else. A must-read for Pilcher fans!

For those who love Rosamunde Pilcher's sweet writing. It is not mushy and it is not vulgar. It is life at it's most wonderful; joy after sorrow.