Customer Reviews

The Carousel

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

That is what a Rosamunde Pilcher book has become to me. Her characters are well developed and likable, mostly they are flawed, with an inane sense of justice. This particular book introduces us to 23 year-old Prue who meets up with a young girl named Charlotte when they both board a train in London bound for Cornwall. Prue will be staying with her aunt Phoebe, while Charlotte will be staying with her far from doting Grandmother who just happens to live next door.

Pilcher writes beautifully of the surrounding countryside, which is always a delight when reading her books. In Cornwall, Prue will find fulfillment, and a little girl will find a home. As predictable as Pilcher may be it's how she presents her story that leaves one wanting more. The ending leaves the reader contented with a sense of deliverance for all involved; but why don't I leave that to this superb teller of tales. Kelsana 4/01/01

I just finished this book, and when I had read the last line, I wondered what had happened to Rosamunde Pilcher. Further--where is the meat? I checked the copyright date--1982. Her stride with the Shell Seekers hit in 1987, followed by September in 1990, Coming Home in 1995, and Winter Solstice in 2000. Sadly, I think I was reading before she became that marvelous storyteller. Everyone has to start, and this book foreshadows the descriptions and storylines she grows to entertwine so wonderfully. But not in this book. The characters are but briefly drawn, but never drew me in like the others above. I never got a picture of Cornwall or Penmarron as the other books had. I finished it as a task that needed finishing, not with the "I have to see what happens" and then, "oh, no, it's over" that her masterpieces gave me.

As a lover of Ms. Pilcher's work, I cannot recommend this one. If I had read this one first, I would never have picked up those other wonderful stories of hers. The reviews written are dismal as well...it is not "satisfying," "captivating," nor "an unforgettable journey." I actually want to forget this one. Sorry, Rosamunde. I do love your other work. I think this is a story that happened on the way to becoming a wonderful writer. Note the copyright dates is my word of advice to Pilcher readers. And if this was your first with her--go to one of the above mentioned!

Having read The Shell Seekers before I read The Carousel, I was expecting a great deal more from this book than was delivered. It is your basic, everyday love story that is so madly predictable that you will find yourself yearning for something original to read. The story lacks depth and warmth; just when one gets to know and enjoy the characters, the story ends.

I wished for a great deal more background information about the characters while reading this book; The Shell Seekers told richly layered stories about the personal histories of its characters, in The Carousel, one must be content with a mere skimming of the surface of its characters and their lives.

If you are looking for a simple, short and uncomplicated 'Danielle Steel' sort of read, then this book is the one for you. Don't bother with it if you loved The Shell Seekers and are looking to recapture the magic it held. Personally, I was embarrassed for Rosamunde Pilcher; her publishers must have been shocked and disappointed in her. The Carousel is far below the quality one expects of the author, and was a very poor attempt at literature on her part.

Rosamunde Pilcher is one of the most reliable authors that I read. She always delivers an entertaining story. THE CAROUSEL takes place in Cornwall, a spot that this author writes about with a great deal of enthusiasm and comfort.

Prue Shackleton at the age of twenty-three, is an attractive and responsible young woman. Her mother feels that its time for her to settle down. Prue isn't sure about that even though there is a kind and wholesome Scotsman who is hoping to marry her. In her heart she knows that he's not the man she wants to spend her life with. On the eve of a visit to meet his parents in Scotland, Pure hears that her favorite aunt has just broken her arm and she rushes to Cornwall to help her.

On the train to Cornwall, Prue becomes acquainted with a sad little girl who is going to visit her grandmother. In Cornwall, she also meets Daniel Cassens, a well-known artist who she finds quite attractive. What follows is a story that involves everyone that I've mentioned and it all takes place in beautiful Cornwall.

For complete enjoyment and relaxation all that's needed is a Pilcher book and a cup of Earl Grey. I believe that I've now read all of Pilcher's stories, hopefully she'll write a few more!

I don~t know if this is Rosamund Pilcher~s first book or what, but I have to say that I was disappointed by it.

I picked it up at the library and when I opened the first page sitting in my favorite chair in my living room I was filled with anticipation...thinking I would have the same experience with this particular Pilcher book that I have had with all the others that I~ve read. Ahh, not to be. I found all of the characters lacking in development, whiny, and just not likable at all, with the exception of Charlotte. The description of the Cornish countryside wasn~t up to par with The Empty House and Coming Home, though nothing can ever compare to Coming Home. I had a hard time visualizing Phoebes house and her garden. I didn~t even get a full picture of Lily Tonkins. To be honest, I didn~t even like the characters names.

If you have never read a Pilcher book before, do not start with this one. If you do, I think you may never want to read another.

This early, brief Pilcher story is more interesting than the others for a couple of reasons. The setting in Cornwall has become my dream Cornwall location. The manor house in Coming Home is too grand, the houses in The Empty House not quite me either. Phoebe's house Holly Cottage is just right - welcoming, casual, delightfully sited. Yes the heroine is nineteen and falls for an older man, but the story is told in the first person, which gives it a freshness that The End Of Summer doesn't have.

There's a little social intrigue, some advance and retreat between the narrator and her love object, but a happy ending for all.

As long as you don't have an issue with the age gap between the couple, this is an enjoyable quick read for Pilcher fans, Anglophiles, and romance readers in general.

I read this with an open mind. The reason I picked it up is because I was quite taken in by her son's first two books. In some of the reviews for his novels, I saw that others were saying that his books did not compare favorably to his mothers. Well, after finnally plodding through this 'Carousel' book, I have to disagree on the outset. Pilcher is a pretty good author. Sort of like a modern EM Forrester. This is not what I would call a romance. Or if you were to classify it as such, I would say that this is more of a literary romance. I was constantly reminded of the author Stegner. Both Stegner and Pilcher weave around similar topics and subject matters. But where I would consider Stegner one of the 20th centuries great authors, Pilcher is sort of stale in comparison. Her story unfolds like Pilcher is on a train ride, passing one town after another and unloading the plot like it were baggage that she had to drop off at each next town. This is a very linear book. From start to finish it heads in a straight line towards its destination and seldom pauses to contemplate or add nuance to the narrative.

Ah, I am being a little hard on Pilcher, I will read her again. This was a very readable book and was not off-putting in any overt manner.

A journey back to Cornwall with its train rides, sandy beaches and coves.
A good quick read.

I love Pilcher's books but this one is not as good as SEPTEMBER, UNDER GENINI, THE SHELL SEAKERS or COMING HOME. Yes, the vividness is there, the story is well written and the characters difficult to forget, but she can do a lot better, she has proven it to us, her fans!!!

I don't want to choose this book between all I read by Rosamund Pilcher. I discovered that I love all this author writes in the moment my boyfried gave me "El regreso" (the return... I don't remember the original title. This book, in the pocket edition, I could read it in two weeks, or less... In that moment I needed and I need to read all the books Rosamunde Pilcher wrote and I would like to know the biography of this author that makes me feel inside of all the stories of her books. In this case, in Carousel, you can see the independent characters she like to write about, and she makes me identify with this one. I smile when I read these books. I started to read the first book I found of her in September, and I have read seven books writen by her. Thanks to her because I love to read more than ever.