Helpful Score: 3
I see from others' reviews that several people gave up on this book at the beginning. It does have a slow start, showing the negativity the main character's wife shows after investing all her time and energy into her career, and becoming resentful of her husband, who was out of a job and enjoying spending time at home. They also had self-consumed teenagers, all living in a house of resentment and detachment. All too realistic and not too fun to read about...but don't give up on Pilcher!
It was a delight to see him broaden the characters, and show them grow into caring people who embraced their family once again and reached out to give to others, after moving to Scotland...And the ones who stayed selfish got what they deserve...I love a good moral to my stories! These characters were such a delight to read about, and the hope it gives to families is heart-warming. I gave it five stars.
Storygirl
It was a delight to see him broaden the characters, and show them grow into caring people who embraced their family once again and reached out to give to others, after moving to Scotland...And the ones who stayed selfish got what they deserve...I love a good moral to my stories! These characters were such a delight to read about, and the hope it gives to families is heart-warming. I gave it five stars.
Storygirl
Helpful Score: 2
Warmly written - you begin to believe you know these people and you can't help but cheer them on - great read from start to finish!
Helpful Score: 2
If you like books by Rosamunde Pilcher, you will like her son's novels as they are written in the same style with great characters. This one is about a Londoner, married, with three children, who loses his highpaying city financial job. On a whim, he travels to Scotland to look at a company for sale and ends up reevaluating his life.
Helpful Score: 2
This was my third or fourth reading of this title and I enjoy it every time. Mr. Pilcher is definitely his mother's son when it comes to creating believeable characters about whom you learn to care.
Helpful Score: 1
This story has wonderful characters caught at an odd moment of their lives when the economy dictates the destruction of one career and the elevation of another. What's wonderful about Robin's writing is that we get to see growth among most of the characters. The is, of course, one character to dislike as she neglects her children, resents her husband and turns her back on the family to pursue an affair that goes largely unnoticed because she's already checked out of their lives.
The husband's quest to find a suitable job is not overwrought with panic or self loathing and it's somewhat delightful to journey with him as he finds a new opportunity, a new sense of belonging and a means of bonding with his teenage and young adult children.
Although seemingly shallow, self-serving brats at the beginning of the story, Pilcher lets the children grow a bit, too.
It's a nice family story, even though it all goes a bit wonky along the way.
It moves quite a bit faster than the last Robin Pilcher novel I read because he keeps the focus on the husband for most of the story.
The husband's quest to find a suitable job is not overwrought with panic or self loathing and it's somewhat delightful to journey with him as he finds a new opportunity, a new sense of belonging and a means of bonding with his teenage and young adult children.
Although seemingly shallow, self-serving brats at the beginning of the story, Pilcher lets the children grow a bit, too.
It's a nice family story, even though it all goes a bit wonky along the way.
It moves quite a bit faster than the last Robin Pilcher novel I read because he keeps the focus on the husband for most of the story.
Helpful Score: 1
Dan is laid off from his job and finds his connection with his wife and children difficult. A story of choices and the real meaning of work and marriage.
A story about life in the new millinium and one mans pursuit of happiness.
Robin or Rosamunde Pilcher...It doesn't matter to me. I love their books and this one didn't disappoint.
A cozy and thoughtful story about starting over written by Rosamunde Pilcher's son. As satisfying and enjoyable as her books were.
Robin almost fits his mother's (Rosamunde Pilcher) shoes - his characters are warm and likeable and the story heart-warming.
I love his mother's book and this one was pretty good, too.
Dan Porter had it all...but then it collapsed like a house of cards. Then Dan hears about a company for sale in northern Scotland, and the temptation is too great to resist.....
Engaging character of a person who was once riding the crest, but has since lost his self esteem...
First time author for me. Had no expectations when beginning the book. I really enjoyed it. Based in England & Scotland. Centers around a family in economic turmoil and the unexpected paths their lives take. A good read.
This is a good story, not great literature but entertaining, and it's read by a man with an English accent who's a pleasure to listen to. That made it extra great to listen to!
Romance and family life that was so true to life.
brilliant read abouta dad taking control of his life and family after 9/11. set in england and scottland
LARGE PRINT BOOK
After the dot-com bubble burst, Dan Porter is laid off from his job and must decide what is truly important. His wife of twenty years, Jackie, a beautiful and successful managing director at a clothing designer shop, no longer connects with him. His teenagers, Josh, Nina, and Millie, are distant and confusing. Jackie is tempted by the attentions of a younger man at her office, and thanks to an opportunity suggested by a magazine article, Dan finds himself contemplating a drastic change in his life.
A Risk Worth Taking is an insightful, thought-provoking novel of a man who has to discover what he really values in his work, marriage, and life. Robin Pilcher writes fluidly and well, and he is unerringly adept at capturing the details of his characters' lives. He has written a poignant and engrossing story about the real choices many adults face when they start taking stock of their lives.
A Risk Worth Taking is an insightful, thought-provoking novel of a man who has to discover what he really values in his work, marriage, and life. Robin Pilcher writes fluidly and well, and he is unerringly adept at capturing the details of his characters' lives. He has written a poignant and engrossing story about the real choices many adults face when they start taking stock of their lives.
I usually shy away of books written by men, they just have a differnt attitude to them (sorry men, don't mean to be rude, but it's the romance thing...)but this book was very good. It had a...for lack of a better phrase, "sweet spirit" to it. It really was about relationships, and feelings. I will read more of Mr. Pilcher's books!
This book has a good story line. It starts out a little slow, but then is very gripping.
I almost stopped reading when I first picked up this book but very quickly I became engrossed and had to stay up late to finish the story.
Rosamunde Pilcher's son, Robin, is an excellent writer. It is worth taking the "risk" to read his books! If you love any and all things about Scotland, you will love this book!
A story about a family near London where the husband,father loses his big fancy high paying job and the wife goes to work to support them. He finds a job in norhtern Scotland and he and his teenage son go there and become involved in his bosses family and business and they love the small time life. The story ends with a new life for all family members involved.
Dan gives it all up to try to buy a company in the north of Scotland. His wife refuses to follow him. His kids are horrified. He discovers a new chance for the future and a chance at a new love.
This book is an insighful, thought-provoking novel of a man who has to discover the real meaning of his work and marriage--and even of his very existence. This is a goignant and engrossing story about the real choices many adults face when they reaize they are still in control of these destinies.
Robin Pilcher is the son of Rosamunde Pilcher, who was one of my favorite authors. Rosamunde Pilcher died and his son has taken over where she left off. I love his style of writing and his characters. They are very real people in this novel. I have read all of Robin's books. Great read!!!
Robin Pilcher is the son of Rosamunde Pilcher, who was one of my favorite authors. Rosamunde Pilcher died and his son has taken over where she left off. I love his style of writing and his characters. They are very real people in this novel. I have read all of Robin's books. Great read!!!
I have loved all of his mother's books and did not think he could write as well. I was wrong. I have now read 3 of his novels and they are really insightful, the characters are well drawn, and the plots totally believable. The time I took with the book WAS a risk worth taking.
Too wordy at times but good reading.
I loved this book,about a family and the dynamics of change in their lives...highly recommend
I didn't actually finish this book, because it just wasn't what I wanted to be reading. Nothing wrong with it, it just didn't suit me.
This guy's out of work and has been for a while and he's tired of what he's been doing. And his wife is tired of him being out of work and it starts looking like she might be going to have an affair. I stopped there. I just didn't want to travel that road.
I've read another book by this author that I liked very much. So this is probably a good book. It just wasn't for me.
This guy's out of work and has been for a while and he's tired of what he's been doing. And his wife is tired of him being out of work and it starts looking like she might be going to have an affair. I stopped there. I just didn't want to travel that road.
I've read another book by this author that I liked very much. So this is probably a good book. It just wasn't for me.
Dan Porter has a big house in London, wife and 3 children, and a high-paying job. But then, it all collapsed. He's home while his wife pursues a career and his marriage goes sour. Dan hears about a company for sale in Scotland. He takes his son Josh and two dogs and moves. He discovers a community that needs his help, a new chance for the future, a risk that requires faith, and love.
A charming story about life in the new millennium and one man's pursuit of happiness, a tale that will appeal to both men and women.
Dan Porter had it all: a big house in suburban London, a beautiful wife, three children in private school, and a high paying job. But then, it all collapsed like a house of cards. Now Dan stays home while his angry wife pursues a career and his marriage falters. Returning to his old profession could mend the rift, but Dan needs to do something else, something more...
Then, Dan hears about a company for sale in northern Scotland, and the temptation is too great to resist. With his son Josh and two dogs in tow, he lands in a primitive cottage above a frigid loch. As he takes stock of his past, he discovers a community who desperately needs his help, a new chance for the future, a risk that requires a leap of faith...and an astonishing love.
Dan Porter had it all: a big house in suburban London, a beautiful wife, three children in private school, and a high paying job. But then, it all collapsed like a house of cards. Now Dan stays home while his angry wife pursues a career and his marriage falters. Returning to his old profession could mend the rift, but Dan needs to do something else, something more...
Then, Dan hears about a company for sale in northern Scotland, and the temptation is too great to resist. With his son Josh and two dogs in tow, he lands in a primitive cottage above a frigid loch. As he takes stock of his past, he discovers a community who desperately needs his help, a new chance for the future, a risk that requires a leap of faith...and an astonishing love.
This book did not hold my interest too well, but I did make it to the end. It was a nice story.
Dan Porter had it all: a big house in suburban London, a beautiful wife, three children in private school, and a high-paying job. But then, it all collapsed like a house of cards. Now Dan stays home while his angry wife pursues a career, and his marriage falters. Returning to his old profession could mend the rift, but Dan needs to do something else, something more...
Then, Dan hears about a company for sale in northern Scotland, and the temptation is too great to resist. With his son Josh and two dogs in tow, he lands in a primitive cottage above a frigid loch. As he takes stock of his past, he discovers a community who desperately needs his help, a new chance for the future, a risk that requires a leap of faith...and an astonishing love.
Then, Dan hears about a company for sale in northern Scotland, and the temptation is too great to resist. With his son Josh and two dogs in tow, he lands in a primitive cottage above a frigid loch. As he takes stock of his past, he discovers a community who desperately needs his help, a new chance for the future, a risk that requires a leap of faith...and an astonishing love.
Don't know have not read.
