- Hardcover: 699 pages
- Publisher: Chivers Large print (Chivers, Windsor, Paragon & C; Large type edition edition (1 Nov 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0754013081
- ISBN-13: 978-0754013082
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 15.4 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,104,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's a double-edged sword, being the son or daughter of a famous novelist. Martin Amis quickly established the fact that his novels were nothing at all like his father Kingsley's, and one approaches Robin Pilcher's novel wondering if it's in the rich and detailed style of his mother Rosamund. The answer is yes and no: the characterisation has the evocative and sweeping quality of his mother's, but his narrative is tougher and more concerned with the present than the effects of the past.
When his wife dies of cancer, David Costorphine finds himself totally unable to cope. Withdrawing from his three children and the family whiskey business, he escapes into his much-loved garden, establishing an order there that is not possible in the rest of his life. When he is forced by business to go to America, his rehabilitation begins when he meets the remarkable Jennifer and her son Benji. As he builds a relationship with both mother and son, a disturbing discovery forces him to return home and come to terms with the neglect he's been practising. Pilcher's prose is much more forceful and less elegiac than his mother's, but it's clear that he shares her narrative gifts. Slowly An Ocean Apart begins to exert an inexorable grip on the reader, and David's fate becomes a matter of concern and interest. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Perfectly constructed fairytale of loss and recovery...interesting family romance (THE TIMES )
A sensitive and compulsive novel...His mother should be proud (MAIL ON SUNDAY )
Son of Rosamunde proves he, too, can spin a captivating yarn. This is a total tear-jerker (WOMAN'S JOURNAL )
An ideal read for a lazy winter weekend (WOMAN & HOME ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
A sensitive and compulsive novel...His mother should be proud (MAIL ON SUNDAY )
Son of Rosamunde proves he, too, can spin a captivating yarn. This is a total tear-jerker (WOMAN'S JOURNAL )
An ideal read for a lazy winter weekend (WOMAN & HOME ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Robin Pilcher, the son of the much admired, talented, Rosamunde Pilcher has a daunting task - to be able to stand on his talents alone without relying on his mothers success. In his novel, "An Ocean Apart" Mr. Pilcher has certainly achieved stardom with this magnificently crafted, heart-warming work of fiction. Mr. Pilcher's novel centers on David Corstorphine who is mourning over the death of his wife, Rachel. Realizing he is no good to himself at home in Scotland, David embarks on a journey to America where he finds a job as a gardner for a family on Long Island. It is here that David begins to put the pieces of his life and family together with the help of his new found american family. The past and present merge together like the newly planted seed which blooms to a colorful rose. Mr. Pilcher executes his prose with the utmost clarity and precison creating a well-paced meaningful novel. Talent does run in the Pilcher household and we can all eagerly await Mr. Pilcher's next novel.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although this is a very long book once you start reading it and getting to know the characters and the outline of the story you just cant put it down. The character of David becomes very real and I was thinking about the book when not reading it. You think about your own family and what you would feel if this happened to you. A lovely story - I didnt want it to end!!
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brilliant story particularly as it's his first!
It's a book full of love, sorrow, despair and happiness that leaves you wanting more. I didn't want it to end and it felt like I'd lost old friends when it did. I hope there's a sequel but if not I hope Robin publishes another one soon.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing ending
I enjoyed the book for the first three parts...good detail and description of emotions ..however the ending was predictable and for David to have been so shattered by the loss of... Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by J. Charlton
Some good ideas, but too contrived on the whole
I tried to give Robin Pilcher's book as objective a chance as possible. I have read all his mother's books, though I really only liked the latter ones like "The... Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2000
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