Rosamunde Pilcher has long been a favorite author of mine. She often has lovely settings in
Cornwall, where she was born, and in Winter Solstice she has her character briefly visit Cornwall before moving to Scotland. Ms. Pilcher artfully describes each setting beautifully. This story is about Elfrida who moves from London to a small country cottage where she meets many local people and is invited into their fold. It is told from several different points of view of the characters whose paths cross. They eventually spend the Christmas celebrations together in Scotland. There were several parts of the story that bothered me. I didn't find it believable that someone would plan to move to one location and after being there a short period of time, would leave the house empty and move with someone she hardly knows to a house in Scotland. Each of the characters was dealing with deep emotions and yet I didn't feel empathy for any of them. Oscar in particular didn't divulge whether he actually was happy that Elfrida had packed very few items and moved in with him, making decisions for both of them. Neither Oscar not Elfrida seem to have an income (Elfrida gave up a small income making pillows when she moved). Although I loved the settings and her wonderful descriptions, I wasn't as engrossed in the story as I had hoped to be.
