DISCUSSION THREAD - "Winter Solstice"

[Daisy]

Please feel free to start your comments on Winter Solstice. There's no time scale for the discussion - you can just join in on this thread as and when you are ready.

[Oma]

This time of year is very important to Druids isn't it gathering at Stone henge , strangely enough I watched a programme about Stone henge this morning that said they found lots of cremated remains in holes around the stones pointing to a sort of grave yard and that it may put into question the Solstice and Druids beliefs

[Gemini]

Thanks Daisy, I wish I had made some notes on the book when I finished it as I intended!!!

[Daisy]

Oma - I didn't see the programme (I'll try and find it on iPlayer) but, yes the Winter Solstice was (and is) hugely important to Druids.

Gem - I intended to make notes, but didn't! I'll try and gather my thoughts over the week-end.

[Oma]

Must get around to reading it , I know I'm too late for discussion but would like to find time to read it

[Daisy]

Oma - no, you're not too late for the discussion - we're letting it run on indefinitely, so as people read it they can add their comments anytime. So, you can get reading!

[Clover]

I've just finished but won't write anything yet as what I have to say could spoil the plot and ending for those that haven't read it yet.

[Gemini]

Never too late Oma Just add to this thread whenever you like.

[Daisy]

Clover - do feel free to comment. The idea of putting it on a different thread is so that people can ignore it until they're ready to read comments/make their own.

[Daisy]

BUMP!

Just a reminder that this discussion thread is open for your comments on 'The Winter Solstice'? Oma commented above about the importance of the winter Solstice to Druids, so maybe a starting point could be about the changes impacting on the lives of the characters in the days leading to Christmas ... over to you, ladies.

[Gemini]

Thanks for the reminder

[Clover]

I've read two or three books since finishing Winter Solstice so I 'll have to do some revision. Has anyone else finished it?

[Enfys]

I finished it a while ago, but have read it so often. I'd be interested in what you thought of the characters and did you have a favourite.

I think I would have enjoyed meeting Elfrida, I like eccentrics and she certainly seemed that. The Estate House sounded lovely, I could just picture it at Christmas all decked out in Ivy and candles.? Would have loved a dog like Horace too.

[Gemini]

I think we all finished it a while ago Clover, then Christmas and other things got in the way!

[Daisy]

I finished it while ago as well, but I agree with Enfys - I would have liked to meet Elfrida. She was definitely a free spirit with an interesting background, although for some reason I felt her name was a bit contrived. Almost as though her parents knew at birth that she would be a bit of a 'one'. I could picture Oscar's working life as an organist and choirmaster - he reminded me of a couple of men I have known living similar, quiet but cultured lives.

I really enjoyed most aspects of the book - the story line, the characters, the locations etc. I was slightly irritated by a couple of details surrounding the car crash. Nobody would take two tiny dogs to a fireworks party, and why wasn't there a post-mortem or inquest! I also felt the time scale was a bit strange. From an accident around (presumably) the beginning of November to Christmas isn't very long for Oscar to even start coming to terms with losing his wife and much-loved daughter. I would rather have liked it if Francesca could have survived and she had become friendly with the lonely Lucy, who I felt very sorry for. But then perhaps Oscar would have had less need of Elfrida's support and friendship. So perhaps I'd better leave the plot writing to the expect, Rosamund Pilcher, and just sit back and enjoy the plot.

Every time I put the book down I wanted to carry on reading, and if I read it again (which I could) I would want to be sitting by the roaring woodburner on a chilly day, with a cup off coffee and a nice slice or two of fruit cake to hand, and be able to read for a couple of hours at a time. It's a great pre-Christmas read - interesting without being taxing and a good tale about how Christmas can still be good even though it isn't the conventional happy families one.