Synopses & Reviews
“The Long Way Home is Robin Pilcher at his best. I devoured every word of this masterful storyteller.”—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author In the vein of Maeve Binchy, Rosamunde Pilcher, and Nicholas Sparks, New York Times bestselling author Robin Pilcher returns with his most enchanting novel yet, filled with captivating twists and turns of heart. When Claire Barclay receives news that her beloved stepfather has had a stroke, shes more than a little shaken. Leo is her last real relative, and his own children rarely check up on the old man. Claire and her husband, Art, leave New York and fly back to Scotland to care for him during the summer. Their visit makes clear that Leo is no longer capable of living on his own, but he is determined to stay in his beloved old house. Art comes up with the idea of turning the place into a conference center, thinking they could purchase the place from Leo and build him a cottage on the property. But the situation is much more complicated than it seems. Claires old flame, Jonas Fairwether, has become Leos caretaker and trusted confidant. Though Claire distrusts Jonass motives, Leo chooses to take his advice to put the house up for public auction rather than sell directly to Art and Claire. Claire is immediately suspicious, and even more so when she finds out that another application has been submitted to develop the property. Does Jonas Fairwether want to knock down the Leos house and build a development? It looks like whoever is behind the plan is being driven by financial gain, but there may be an even stronger motive. The Long Way Home will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This is a masterful novel from a master storyteller.
Review
From Booklist:
When Claire Barclays widowed mother marries Leo Harrison and they move to an estate in Alloa, Scotland, Claires only friend is Jonas, who lives on the estates rundown farm. The pair is inseparable until the night she decides to confess her love, and he says he wants nothing to do with her. Shocked and devastated, Claire takes time to travel rather than start university right away. Whe she meets Art Barrington in New York, loves blossoms between them. Years later, she returns to Alloa when her mother dies, and she finds Leo suffering from dementia. Because the house means so much to Claire, Art conceives the notion of turning it into a conference center, but they arent the only ones interested in the house. Jonas, who has made his fortune, has also been running Leos life, leaving Claire to question his motivations. Pilcher weaves a wonderful story filled with love, deceit, and friendship that is reminiscent of his mother Rosamundes work.
Review
"Pilcher weaves a wonderful story filled with love, deceit, and friendship that is reminiscent of his mother Rosamundes work."--Booklist
"An agreeable tale of friendship—broken and mended—set in the Scottish countryside."--Kirkus Reviews
"Pilcher's sweet story of a past reconciled is warm and touching."--RT Book Reviews
Review
"Pilcher weaves a wonderful story filled with love, deceit, and friendship that is reminiscent of his mother Rosamundes work."--Booklist
"An agreeable tale of friendship—broken and mended—set in the Scottish countryside."--Kirkus Reviews
"Pilcher's sweet story of a past reconciled is warm and touching."--RT Book Reviews
Synopsis
In the vein of Maeve Binchy, Rosamunde Pilcher, and Nicholas Sparks, "New York Times"-bestselling author Pilcher returns with his most enchanting novel yet, filled with captivating twists and turns of heart.
Synopsis
In this enchanting novel, after learning that her beloved stepfather suffered a stroke, Claire Barclay flies to Scotland to care for him.
Synopsis
“The Long Way Home is Robin Pilcher at his best. I devoured every word of this masterful storyteller.”—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author In the vein of Maeve Binchy, Rosamunde Pilcher, and Nicholas Sparks, New York Times bestselling author Robin Pilcher returns with his most enchanting novel yet, filled with captivating twists and turns of heart.
Claire Barclay has returned to the home in Scotland where she spent her teenage years, affording her the chance to spend time with her much-loved stepfather, Leo, her only living parent. But recognizing that Leos health is jeopardized, Claire extends her stay, becoming more and more frustrated as his own grown children seem more concerned about preserving their financial assets than their father's health.
Meanwhile, Claire is desperately trying to avoid Jonas, the old flame who broke her heart many years ago. In the intervening years, he has become Leos neighbor and trusted confidant. Soon he's asking Claire to trust him again, on a matter which will profoundly affect Leo. Can she forget the past and put her faith in someone who once hurt her so deeply?
This enchanting story From New York Times bestselling author Robin Pilcher takes us into the heart of a family, reminding us that sometimes the only way forward is by revisiting the past.
About the Author
ROBIN PILCHER has worked as a farmer, assistant film cameraman, and PR consultant.
An Ocean Apart, his first novel, was a
New York Times bestseller and a favorite among Pilcher fans, old and new. This is his fifth novel.
Reading Group Guide
1. When Leo invited Daphne and Claire to come to stay for a weekend in Scotland, Daphne decided to go alone ‘to have time to judge herself whether to continue their unorthodox relationship. The visit resulted in a proposal of marriage that Daphne decided to accept. Claire was her one big responsibility. Do you think she was considerate enough of this in accepting Leos proposal?
2. When Marcus and Charity decided to return to London directly after Daphnes funeral, how did you react to this? Putting yourself in their shoes, and understanding that they had come all the way from London to attend the funeral of their stepmother whom they despised, were they at all justified in their actions?
3. When Claire encounters Jonas in Leos office, it is the first time she has spoken to him or even seen him since the day that their friendship came to an end eighteen years before. Outwardly, Claires emotions seemed to display anger at Jonass involvement with Leos affairs, but what else do you feel was going on in her mind?
4. It is quite apparent after the ultra-smart Kerr-Jamieson party in London what really drives Charity. Take time to discuss her character and her motivations.
5. When Jonas eventually reveals to Claire the reason for their friendship ending, do you think he was right in keeping it from her for all these years? Discuss the implications on everyone if it had come out into the open?
6. Only Leo had known the truth, almost from the moment it had happened. His own children had carried out a premeditated course of action to damage irrevocably his stepdaughters friendship with Jonas, and as a result, she had left his house and had never returned. What emotions would this have evoked in Leo over the years?