Coming Home

This is possibly my favorite book of all time - a tender coming of age story set in World War Two England. It's not an adventure, or a mystery - but it's a story about an amazing cast of characters living through an extraordinary time.

The only reason I only gave it 4 stars is that the translation to Kindle format is a bit sloppy - they needed a good proof reader.

The story was good, the characters engaging. It was a little long and could do with a bit less length descriptions of landscape and settings. And a whole lot less use of "and." I got caught up in the evolving protagonist and her story. some surprises.

Typically Rosamunde - sea, salt and calming relationships. it took me a while to get into it and complete it. It's not one of those books ( for me at least) that you don't want to put down and can't wait to see what happens next. Everything works out and no nail biting moments.

My favorite Rosamunde Pilcher book and truly one of my favorite fiction reads ever! Where do I begin? Pilcher creates multidimensional settings ... you can almost feel the wind, the mist, the cold, the sand between your toes. I feel as though I've been to Cornwall ... lived in Cornwall ... and of course, I really do want to visit there now. Her character development in this novel, however, is what shows her brilliance as a writer. These characters become real people, real friends - or foes - in no time at all. The book is very long, and yet I never grew weary or wanted it to end. I like historical fiction and enjoyed seeing the events of WWII from the British perspective. The first time I read the book, I spent so much time annotating in the margins and highlighting all my favorite metaphors, vocabulary words, exquisite descriptions ... I knew I would read it again ... maybe in a few months. After a week, I missed my "new friends" desperately, so picked up the book and started again. And the story entertained me just as much the second time. This book has seriously turned me back into that little girl used to read the same stories over and over, and still find them delightful and interesting. Maybe a 3rd-time's-the-charm-read will appease me.

than an RP novel. This was like a winter vacation, and the store Prime has the excellent series, as well! Shared the book and movie with girlfriends and everyone of them has thanked me. If you like a bit of history, a strong female lead, some Downton Abbey-like observations, this is just the ticket!

This story was engaging from the very beginning. It was a very big book but I was never bored. Loved it!! I read the Shell Seekers many years ago but never another book from her. Since reading this book I have gone around trying to get everything of hers that I can get my hands on. Don't hesitate to read this book you will fall in love with Judith!!

A beautiful well written novel. One of my favorite Piltcher books. She sets the stage, develops the wonderful characters, and off we go into another world. She is one of my all time favorite authors. Loved this book from cover to cover.

My mother and father met in Cheltingham, during the war. So the setting and timing filled in so much for me. As a married woman, I've been lucky enough to have traveled, with my husband of 50 years, from our home in the Pacific Northwest, to London, and to many of the mentioned places. Did I mention my Mom was in the service as a Wren, during the war? You see why this story touched my heart.

I enjoyed this book. It seemed longer than most and I enjoyed that. Pitcher knows how to enter twine and bring in curve balls to keep you guessing. I appreciate the historical input and the different classes shown, although everyone seems to be family.

This was an awesome book. She really knows how to get you to know the people in her book. I was drawn in from the very first hook line and sinker. My only complaint if you could call it that is when I got to the end I want so much more. I am sure there should be a sequel.

Fabulous!!!!! Superb characters and plot.I was so moved by the strength and grace of these characters through the awful war years and after.I am exhausted from the the wild ride of this story. Never has World War 2 come so alive for me. Wonderful

Shell Seekers was my all time favorite book and I didn't think it could be topped. Needless to say it was just as good if not better. I can't believe I hung in there for all 900 something pages. I loved all of the characters especially Judith. She endured so much and sometimes the conditions seemed unbearable to me. I am now reading Winter Solstice, so far so good!! I think I will read all of Rosamunde Pitcher's books, love her style of writing, love all the details!!

I loved moving through the years with the characters. Each family added so much to the whole. I moved along with each generation as if I was part of the time and I really was. It brought back many memories of the World War 11 and the highs and lows
for each family.

I read the print version years ago before my eyes problem. I actually love the audio better. The varied plots wiin the plot is magnificent and the characters are wonderful! The book Made me want to see the movie again! I just wish Ms. Pilcher would write more!

This is a wonderful story. Rosamunde Pilcher writes beautifully; her stories are so absorbing and realistic, the reader becomes involved. I love all her books and I also enjoy her son's. He writes in the same manner.

Absolutely one of the best books I have read!! Hated for it to end. Characters were so developed they felt like family. Will miss them!! Some of her books can be slow or hard to get in to. This was not one of them. Great book!

Coming Home is a good book. It has enjoyable characters. For me the story seemed overly swamped by the events of World War II. The three stars are because the pictured volume has the British dust cover which I wished to possess and I was sent the American cover.

Its easy to call a novel "sweeping" in scope. Any book that covers more than a year of chronology can be called that. But this one is sweeping in a much deeper sense. Following a young girl from age 14 to 24 through the turbulent years of World War II in Britain and Ceylon, we are introduced to a very personal sense of the fall of the British Empire . We also witness the passing of a way of aristocratic life in the landscape of rural Cornwall, London, and India, even as we are introduced to several aristocratic families through the eyes of Judith, our heroine. The portrayal of Japanese atrocities on the Malay Peninsula and in Burma (as seen by important characters other than Judith) is also bone-deep chilling.

This isn't a short novel, but it will engage any reader with a literary sensibility and the intelligence to follow a truly epic story.

That's my opinion of course. Coming Home is such a wonderful novel - even inspiring. I very much want to visit Cornwall after reading this book as well as "The Shell Seekers". Many people believe the aforementioned book is Pilcher's finest and indeed it's very well done; however, this book goes into such detail (I love it) that it actually brings the reader into the feel of the times (1935-45). The heroine, Judith Dunbar, is such a good person that you'd love to meet her (or at least I would). She's honest, caring, beautiful (although I don't overly done), is a good friend and she loves her family. This book is not without sorrows - I don't want to write about them as to give them away but they feel "right" for the story. I even love how thick the novel is - my only regret is that it wasn't available in kindle but it's fun every once in a while to hold a book as opposed to an iPad or Kindle.

A friend recommended this book knowing I would enjoy the time frame and setting. Her description as she chronicles the life of Judith Dunbar from the age of fourteen into her late twenties through her personal triumphs and tragedies is wonderful. Although I have truly enjoyed all of Mrs.Pilcher's books that I have read, this tops "The Shell Seekers" which in itself was an exceptional book.

What a beautiful and timeless story. I read it many years ago.....and just enjoyed it once again. Her first masterpiece was "The Shell Seekers". I recently visited Cornwall for the first time, so now I have first hand experience of the place. She captures the beauty of that lovely setting in her books.

I thoroughly loved this story. I had family in England that were in those great wars. I felt I was right there with family. It was very emotional at times. This was the first of Rosamundes that I have read. Will be reading more. As my name is similar Rosamond.

a wonderful story about growing up and coming of age. I loved the main character, and all of the other ones. They were all delightful and engaging.
Rosamunde Pilcher weaves such entertaining stories! You can just "see" the characters.

This book has all the elements to satisfy the senses. The descriptions of the times and places a realistic and believable, and while the main character suffers a number of setbacks, there is no sense of endless tragedy or on the other hand unrealistic Pollyanna-like expectations. Instaed the story unfolds as a chronicle of a family in the lead up to and through the period of England in the second world war. The characters are likable and consistent and you feel as though you have become part of the family as you read. I have read and re read this book many times.

AFter reading Coming HOme, I was so enthralled with the story and the author's use of words that I had to go on line and buy an old copy of the pretty old book. Rosamund Pilcher is such a classic writer. She uses language like a good chef uses ingredients.....it is just awesomely complex and satisfying. I am passing this old book around now and will soon read it again and underline the phrases and wordings that struck home to me. AFter reading this book, a reader's vocabulary will improve and having conversations will flow easily, and being able to express your deep down feelings will come streaming out. It is like magic to read this book. And learning so much history along the way will bring it home to nest in your heart. You won't forget how the world was back then in England during WWII on the Cornwall Coast. It is a wonderful, classy book.

I started out loving the book and being very invested in Judith and her introduction to the Cary-Lewis family. I enjoyed the British flair in Pilcher's writing and the description of the English countryside -- Cornwall -- and the lovely homes that are part of the story. She is such a descriptiive writer! Why I didn't give more stars:

1) There were superfluous characters,enough for two more novels, and it became tedious trying to keep track of them all and waiting to get back to the main characters. Especially during the war years, when Judith was a WREN.

2) What I REALLY wanted to know, was if/when Judith and Jeremy would get together once and for all. I was 99% finished and this still hadn't happened. THEN -- the last few pages (miraculously) Judith and Jeremy get together and all is well. Get rid of some of the other characters and give this part of the story a little more play.

3) Another problem: Loveday marries Walter, believing Gus is dead. All through the novel Walter is a good steady guy -- albeit lower class -- but a good guy nonetheless. Suddenly he starts messing around on Loveday (totally out of character). Gus turns up alive after all, and Gus and Loveday meet up while out consoling themselves (separately) on a long solitary walk on the moors. Too too contrived!

I cannot believe I had not read this before ! ! ! One of the best books I have ever read. ! !!Great book for any age..The authors descriptions of family, love and history all in one could not have been accomplished in fewer pages.