Shell Seekers

For the first time ever in trade paperback, Rosamunde Pilcher's beloved, #1 New York Times bestselling family saga—a captivating story of life and love.

An instant bestseller when it was first published in 1987, The Shell Seekers is an enduring classic which has touched the hearts of millions of readers worldwide.  A novel of connection, it is the story of one family, and of the passions and heartbreak that have held them together for three generations. It is filled with real people--mothers and daughters, husband and lovers--and inspired with real values.  Now for the first time in trade paperback, this magical novel—the kind of reading experience that comes along only once in a long while—is the perfect summer read, whether you are returning to it again, or opening the cover for the first time.

At the end of a long and useful life, Penelope Keeling's prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father, and symbolizing her unconventional life, from bohemian childhood to wartime romance. When her grown children learn their grandfather's work is now worth a fortune, each has an idea as to what Penelope should do. But as she recalls the passions, tragedies, and secrets of her life, she knows there is only one answer...and it lies in her heart.

"A HUGE, WARM SAGA...A deeply satisfying story written with love."-- The New York Times Book Review

"BEAUTIFULLY DONE...A book about families...When the reader closes the book, it is with a sense of regret-- regret that there is no more."-- Boston Herald

"A LOVELY STORY, the best, really absorbing book I've read in a long time, the kind you hate to put down and especially hate to finish."-- Atlanta Journal & Constitution

"A HUGE, WARM SAGA...A deeply satisfying story written with love."-- The New York Times Book Review

"BEAUTIFULLY DONE...A book about families...When the reader closes the book, it is with a sense of regret-- regret that there is no more."-- Boston Herald

"A LOVELY STORY, the best, really absorbing book I've read in a long time, the kind you hate to put down and especially hate to finish."-- Atlanta Journal & Constitution

Praise for The Shell Seekers

“A huge warm saga . . . A deeply satisfying story written with love and confidence.” --Maeve Binchy in The New York Times Book Review

“Beautifully done… A book about families… When the reader closes this book, it is with a sense of regret that there is no more.” -Boston Herald

“A lovely story, the best, really absorbing book Ive read in a long time, the kind you hate to put down and especially hate to finish.” -Atlanta Journal & Constitution

“Immensely real and immediately recognizable.” -Philadelphia Inquirer

“Richly complex… A family saga as delicate and evocative as the painting that serves the title.” - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“Warm and emotional… Readers everywhere will recognize parts of their own lives and identify with Pilchers skillfully drawn characters.” -Fort Worth Evening Star-Telegram

“Through the eyes and heart of this very special woman we have an opportunity to experience art and music and the joys of culinary preparations and repasts… through her we become even more sensitive to the air around us… Rosamunde Pilcher has given us a gift in The Shell Seekers, one which we cherish.” -The West Coast Review of Books

At the end of a long and useful life, Penelope Keeling's prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father, and symbolizing her unconventional life, from bohemian childhood to wartime romance. When her grown children learn their grandfather's work is now worth a fortune, each has an idea as to what Penelope should do. But as she recalls the passions, tragedies, and secrets of her life, she knows there is only one answer...and it lies in her heart.

At the end of a long and useful life, Penelope Keeling's prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father, and symbolizing her unconventional life, from bohemian childhood to wartime romance. When her grown children learn their grandfather's work is now worth a fortune, each has an idea as to what Penelope should do. But as she recalls the passions, tragedies, and secrets of her life, she knows there is only one answer...and it lies in her heart.

ROSAMUNDE PILCHER has had a long and distinguished career as a novelist and short-story writer, but it was her phenomenally successful novel The Shell Seekers that captured the hearts of all who read it and won her international recognition as one of the most-loved storytellers of our time.  The Shell Seekers was followed by September and then by Coming Home and Winter Solstice, which also became worldwide bestsellers.  She lives in Perthshire, Scotland.