Rating: 
Summary: I was pleasantly surprised!
Review: I was personally reluctant to purchase this book, because I felt as though Mr. Pilcher might be capitalizing on his mother's very good name. However, a friend and fellow Rosamund Pilcher fan insisted that I give it a try. I was delighted to find that Robin has talent in his own right. It was in fact difficult at times to differentiate his writing with his mother's but, the gift obviously runs in the family. The book was a comforting read, with pleasant characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to Robin's next book. Mr. Pilcher, well done.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable but unrealistic
Review: I, too, am a big fan of Rosamunde Pilcher and was curious to see what a book by her son would be like. Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable, quick read, but the story had some unrealistic elements that I found hard to swallow. Would that we all, for example, when losing a spouse, could just abandon our kids and our aged parents in their mansion in Scotland and go off to the States. Does anyone but me find this behavior to be appallingly selfish? He runs off and leaves his poor father in the hands of unscrupulous colleagues who eventually cause him to have a stroke and die, for heaven's sake! I found the way that things worked out for David in the U.S. to be unlikely, as well. He ends up in a town that seems to be filled with saintly, wonderful human beings. He's in the US on a visitor visa and a complete stranger to everyone but manages to find a job with a snap of his fingers due to the kind nature of the (of course) wonderful guy who runs the agency. When David's new employer, Jennifer, gets sick by eating bad mussels (after commenting that they tasted funny but yet she still managed to suck up every one--wouldn't most of us have stopped eating by that point?), a doctor actually makes a HOUSE CALL! (This might still be possible in a small village in Scotland, Mr. Pilcher, but hardly ever in the US! That's why we have emergency rooms, and then you'd have to fight with your HMO to pay for it.) He takes the dog, Dodie, everywhere he goes, even on his first day on the job, and no one seems to object to this. He continually leaves the dog in the car, even on hot days, something that is considered dog abuse in the U.S. The dog has two teeth left and horrible halitosis, and this seems to be accepted. In the US, Mr. Pilcher, most responsible dog owners take care of their animals' dental hygiene! These latter items point out Mr. Pilcher's unfamiliarity with American habits and customs. I know that in Europe many people, for example, take their dogs to restaurants, but not here, and never, never to work on the first day of a job!!! These may seem like nit-picky things, but I kept pausing in my reading to say, "oh, come ON, now." And of course, the minute Jennifer and her son arrive in London and the son turns on the TV, there David is giving a speech in the House of Lords,and they are miraculously reunited! I know it is unfair to compare the son to the mother, but one of Mrs. Pilcher's strengths is the complete believability of her novels and the fact that her characters, while lovable, are by no means perfect. Mr. Pilcher's novel is a fairy tale, and if accepted on that basis is a nice escapist read for a summer day.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Book! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Review: If you don't have time to read this book now, tuck it away for your summer reading. It should be read slowly for in no time at all this book will pull the reader into the story. This book churns up many emotions in the reader from smiles to tears. The characters are warm and endearing, the plots well written. If you feel you've said good-bye to good friends when you finish a book, this is a book for you!
Rating:
Summary: A FAMILY AFFAIR
Review: It's a great book which is not a mystery but a family affair of two different worlds--Scotland and America. The overtake of a Scottich liquor firm was intriguing with unusual side events.
Rating: 
Summary: What a dreary book
Review: On second reading, I found this book to be awful. The characters are cardboard cut-outs made to fit different stage sets Mr. Pilcher has devised. There may be people like these characters in the real world, but I don't want to meet most of them. The main character is a feeble fool who neglects his elderly parents and his children, and causes the premature death of his father, whilst pandering to the neglected child of a foolish woman thousands of miles away. It's ridiculous. Save your money, get it from the library. Sorry, Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: Does Robin Pilcher's Writing Style Compare To His Mother's ?
Review: One Reader's Opinion on " An Ocean Apart" by Robin Pilcher by Michele DeppeRosamunde Pilcher fans the world over should like to know but one thing about Robin Pilcher's first novel: Does he write like his mother? My best answer to that question: well, to a point. Mr. Pilcher warms the story with familiar imagery of Scotland, complete with the elements of all aga-sagas. I appreciate his loyalty to the Pilcher tradition of utilizing components of children, family, gardening and the setting forth of a good story. Mr. Pilcher inherits his mother's impeccable skill of describing landscapes, homes, beaches, and lovingly developing characters.. The tone of "An Ocean Apart" may remind you of Rosamunde Pilcher's writing as well, as it is somewhat soothing throughout, no matter what the action. Being a dedicated Rosamunde Pilcher fan, I especially enjoyed the beginning of the story. Too quickly, however, I found myself eager to leave the main character's company, as he was so preoccupied with grief and drunkenness. I longed for more characters, because I became disenchanted with drudging through depression with "David." Half-way through the book, the plot picks up a little more energy and diversity in characters. I appreciated David more, was glad he remained a respectable suitor in his new love affair and liked the way things were going overall, but found him to be almost too perfect! Mr. Pilcher seems to sense that we will feel this way about the character, because other characters in the book liken David to a "Superman" figure. I am grateful that Robin Pilcher has begun his writing career, and I truly hope that he sticks with it! Personally, I will be eager to read his next book. I will really look forward to feedback about his work from the guests of Rosamunde Pilcher Stories!
Rating:
Summary: Engaging, charming, enjoyable!
Review: Refreshing to read a book like this. The story was engaging. The main character, David, is having a terrible time grieving for his wife. The story draws you in as you journey through his re-awakening to life.
Rating:
Summary: The healing process over the loss of a loved one
Review: 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 precision creating a well-paced, meaningful novel. Talent does run in the Pilcher household and we can all eagerly awaith Mr. Pilcher's next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable!!!
Review: The book was given to me by my daughter to read. We both love Rosemunde Pilcher and thought it worth a try. We loved the book. It was a little slow in the beginning but then I hated to put it down. It is a great "feel good" book. Never having lost a mate but having had trials that at times has made me want to run away, I can see wanting to live where no one knows you. Remember he did keep in touch with his family and children, and he did NOT know about the underhanded work of Duncan, I found the book believable. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: An Ocean Apart
Review: The only disappointment at the end of An Ocean Apart by Robin Pilcher is that there is not yet a sequel! This reader yearns to hear what happened to David and Jennifer after the surprise at the House of Lords. The twist in the last hundred pages made me stop speaking to my family, give up food, and forget the laundry as I turned page after page. The tears fell, and I am now left with a sense of hope that there are more Davids in this world...men who are in touch with their sensitive sides while being able to command respect in the work place. The lovely sounds of the Scottish brogue written into this work supported and enhanced the text. THis is escape reading at its best.
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