Customer Reviews

Wild Mountain Thyme

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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This novel is another in a terrific line of Rosamunde Pilcher books. Pilcher is one of my favorite authors because her unique characterizations and modern day Scottish settings are so true to life. In this book, Oliver Dobbs, a snide young egotistical playwright, kidnaps his little toddler son for his own selfish reasons. Then Oliver enlists his old girlfriend, Victoria Bradshaw to help him in his shenanigans, which involve a great amount of Scotch, temper tantrums by Oliver, increasing disgust by Victoria, and the most impressive conflagration since the novel "Rebecca." Pilcher has a way of writing that is comfortable and deft. Reading her novels allows you to enter a unique world, a place I find most satisfying. Thank you Rose of the world.

Rosamunde Pilcher is one of those authors, at least for me, who never disappoints with any of her books. Like coming home from a hectic day and changing into a favorite robe and comfortable slippers, Pilcher's books take me away to a serene place filled with wonderful characters and a happy ending. And based on the popularity of her books, I imagine there are many other readers out there who also feel the same way I do.

The Shell Seekers was the first book I read by her many years ago. After gulping down this wonderful family saga, I couldn't wait to read all of her previously published titles and wondered how she had eluded me in the years before I found The Shell Seekers. Now I am saving her latest title and supposedly last book, Winter Solstice, for that proverbial rainy day. And I suspect that once I've read all of Pilcher's books, I'll simply begin to reread them once again.

Victoria Bradshaw at 18 fell hopelessly in love with London playwright Oliver Dobbs. But their romance was short lived and Victoria hasn't heard from him in years. She has finally moved on with her life when suddenly who should appear on her doorstep but Oliver with a young child in tow. As if no time had gone by, Oliver proposes that Victoria and he along with the child take a trip to Scotland. At first the reason for this trip isn't at all clear to Victoria and she is somewhat skeptical. But then Olvier is very convincing and Victoria is eventually willing to go along with his proposal. Once in Scotland, Olivers motives become painfully too clear and while Victoria sees Oliver for what he is, we as readers are also treated to Piclcher's special brand of characters and plot developments.

This was another one of Pilchers satisfying reads and one which I hoped would never end.

I really enjoy Rosamunde Pilcher's stories. Over the last few months I've been in my car quite a bit and there's absolutely nothing better to help the time pass like a Pilcher book!

WILD MOUNTAIN THYME is the story of Victoria Bradshaw who was jilted by her lover only to have him come back to her several years later. He doesn't come alone; he brings, Thomas, his two-year-old baby for Victoria to care for. Oliver Dobbs is a London playwright and the perfect prototype of a self-centered and egotistical man. Victoria is sweep off her feet for the second time in her life and goes to Scotland with Oliver to visit Roddy, his old friend. Victoria runs into John, who happens to be Roddy's nephew. She had met John before, but only very briefly at party in London. John instantly dislikes Oliver, and takes more than a casual interest in Victoria and how she's destroying her life. I had a pretty good understanding of all of the characters except Victoria. She was just too bland and weak. I think that the story would have been better had she been a little stronger.

The best part of the book is the wonderful and very poetic descriptions of Scotland and the enchanting people who live there. The author really does know how to capture the reader and transport you into a different time and place. Donada Peters did the reading of my recorded book and I can't say enough about her magnificent voice and the way she handled all of the different characters and their individual accents.

I read the abridged audiobook version and may have missed some important character motivation/nuances. I am reviewing the ABRIDGED version because this is the version I read in its entirety. First off the writing is very lyrical and gorgeous in spots but someone save me from spineless ninny heroine's easily wooed with pretty words and heated glances and selfish, thoughtless nincompoop love interests.

I'd never read Rosamunde Pilcher before this and am glad I had the opportunity to try her work. This book was read by Kate Burton who does an amazingly beautiful job with the Irish brogue and made listening to the story a real pleasure. Unfortuntately, I had many "issues" with the book's heroine Victoria but I tend to prefer the type of heroines who have a backbone and Victoria was way too passive for my taste. Her innocence and kind-hearted acceptance of Oliver's (the love interest) horrendous behavior and attitude annoyed the heck out of me but it was somewhat understandable considering her need for love and connection. Still, I won't be actively searching out the unabridged version of this one.

Mrs Pilcher mainly writes about "girls" not women. They want the Mrs degree no matter who offers it to them [or they hope will offer]. This is especially true in this book. If that's what you want, fine. If not, avoid it.

Instead, look up Dorothy Canfield Fisher's books. Today she's known for her children's book, Understood Betsey, but she wrote many fine books for adults. I especially like The Home Maker. It was written over 85 years ago but raises ideas that are current.

I'm surprised at myself. I am actually a big mystery fan. However, I read one of Rosamunde's stories in a Reader's Digest condensed book, and have been hooked ever since. Yes, these are romance stories. But Rosamunde has an incredible ability to weave descriptions of the countryside and homes in her stories so that you can truly picture them yourselves. It has made me want very much to visit Scotland, to see the wonderful scenes she talks about.

I don't feel that the romances are "sappy", either. I would highly recommend Rosamunde's stories to anyone. They are not complicated stories, so a fast read, but you do feel at the end you have read something worthwhile.

Wild Mountain Thyme was quite fascinating. You find yourself wanting to tell some of the characters to "wake up" and see what they are getting into. In other words, you are woven right into the plot of the story.

Enjoy reading her stories, everyone!

Pilcher has a wonderful knack for storytelling, and this book engaged me as all her others have. That said, there were times when I struggled with some outdated attitudes that clashed with the contemporary tone of the story (the book was published in 1978, though you might not realize it at first), especially from view of the female protagonist, Victoria. Many dynamics that she took for granted would be now recognized as abusive. The role of the positive male character was still more the prince-charming rescuer than I was comfortable with. Also, the child's characterization stretched belief a bit, as he often seemed unnaturally docile. Still, other episodes and characters rang truer, and I enjoyed the story for what it was, particularly for the descriptions of life on a Highland estate and other evocations of place. Altogether, a cozy narrative if you don't mind ignoring these flaws.

This novel is a favorite in my much-loved collection of Rosamunde Pilcher books.
Ms. Pilcher is one of my favorite authors because her wonderful characters (weak and strong) and descriptions of Scottish settings are so true to life.
In this story, Oliver Dobbs, a snide young egotistical playwright, kidnaps his 2-year old toddler son (whom he's been indifferent to since his birth) for his own selfish reasons. Then Oliver looks up his old girlfriend, Victoria, to help him in hiding out from the grandparents. They take off to visit a remote hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, belonging to a `friend' Oliver has only met once! Here an interesting story enfolds, complete with the most astonishing coincidence and harrowing fire scene, involving the young toddler's rescue.
I'm re-reading all my Rosamunde Pilcher books; such a treat.

The book arrives on time and in the condition stated. Which is usually better than I expect.They held up their end of the bargain.

Reading a Rosamunde Pilcher book in itself is an incredibly relaxing experience. The scenery she paints, is very evocative in its detail, the weather conditions appropriately accentuate the mood and the characters dance in and out in the graceful and precise rhythms of a minuet. In 'Wild Mountain Thyme', the scene is set during the winter in the beginning of February. The action starts in London where a two year child is abducted from his secure home with his grandparents by his biological father on a moment's whim. The father resumes his relationship with an old flame, who is also obliging enough to take care of the child. The couple head to Scotland on an overdue vacation and events conspire to bring together different people from different backgrounds to find love and gratification in each other, unfolding effortlessly towards the happy ending and a new beginning for everyone involved.

Read this book, for an instant, it will gladden your heart.