A Risk Worth Taking

I enjoyed the audio book [full-text]. The writing was clear and interesting, and most of the characters likable and their motives believable. The outcome was satisfying, with a hint of something even better. Did Dan take the risk referred to or did Patrick? My answer may not be yours.

This is my first Robin Pilcher book and I am not disappointed. I am a huge fan of his mother Rosamunde Pilcher so I decided to try one of his books. Very enjoyable. I was taken in by the characters immediately. Will get more of his books.

I read the book, but was disappointed. The characters were not well developed and the movement was choppy. It would probably make a great TV movie, though. So far none of Robins books I have read are as good as his mothers. But Ill keep on reading and hoping.

A Risk Worth Taking was recommended to me by my mother. The author is the son of the famous author Rosamunde Pilcher. Synopsis: Dan has recently been downsized from his job. He has moved his family to the suburbs of London. His wife Jackie picks up the slack by getting a job with Rebecca Towelworth Designs. Is there more going on with her job than meets the eye? They have three children Josh, Nina, and Millie. The girls hate their school and constantly complain to their father. Meanwhile Josh spends most of his nights out at clubs and a low paying job. All of the sudden Dan sees an article about a company looking for assistance in Womens Weekly. What happens when Dan decides to check out the company? And how will this affect the family? My Thoughts: I wish I could tell you that the sons writing is as good as the mothers. I was not impressed. I had a hard time getting started with this novel. I did not love the character of Dan. The story did take a turn for the better but it took half way through for me to be interested. When Dan made the conclusion of what needed to happen with his family I was ready for this moment! This story takes place in 2001 to 2002 time period. I think the book was a originally published at this time. Jane Green has one that takes place during the same time period which is better.

Rosamunde Pilcher is one of my favorite authors. Sadly, her son, Robin Pilcher, cannot pull off a writing coup such as his mothers immortal Shell Seekers or Winter Soltice, books guaranteed to give you a long, cozy read, full of well-crafted characters, meticulous descriptions and highly enjoyable narrative. Robin Pilchers work provides nothing but doom and gloom, with stiffly written characters, forced plot lines, inconclusive and feeble endings, and a boring storyline. I read this entire book because I kept hoping it would get better, but unfortunately it did not improve. I find Pilchers writing stilted and his characters shallow. His plot is obvious, the conclusion even more so. For more enjoyable reading, check out the wonderful writings of Rosamunde Pilcher, acclaimed British novelist.

Pilcher introduces us to a man who at a prime time in his life decides there must be more. From prestigious home in the suburbs of London he travels to a frigid region in northern Scotland to explore a new job opportunity there. Something that would give more meaning to his life. Yearning for change and examining our life is a task that most of us experience several times during a lifetime. Finding the courage to make the changes was a primary point Pilcher was striving to get across. A thought provoking read.

Dan Porter lives in suburban London with his wife and three children. As a two-income family, Dan and his wife Rebecca were basically living in the dream world they expected to create for themselves. But Dan lost his job months ago and now the initial welcome felt by a wife and children in having a stay-at-home husband and father while he looked for work has worn off. As Dan begins to sort through his own feelings of guilt in not finding employment he also begins to question what type of work he really wants to pursue. Rebeccas feelings change as her resentment builds as the responsibility of being the sole breadwinner begins to overpower any other emotions. As the children have changes in their lives, Dans encouragement to them is over-shadowed by the change they see in his confidence and they begin to see his part in their lives as intrusion. This story is not an action-packed, suspenseful thriller. But it is a page-turning novel as an intimate portrayal of the changes in a family as the dynamics of a two-income family that has always had a level of financial security changes to multiple unknowns. The initial setting of London could be any major city around the world. However, as the job opportunity for Dan changes there could only be one location that could be so lovingly portrayed and so unique to the outcome of the story as in the corner of the world in Scotland portrayed by Robin Pilcher. It is a story about a family in crisis that is thoughtfully written with care to express all of the human emotions of family dynamics (i.e. husband/wife, wife/husband, parent/child, mother/children, father/children, husband/son, husband/mother, wife/mother-in-law). The story also portrays how easily a man and a woman in the same relationship and having the same daily experiences can and sometimes do view things so very differently. It is a story of parental love, the nurturing love between parent and child and from child to parent. It is also a story of resilience and the daily choices that each individual faces on their life journey.

I enjoyed this book, as I do all of Robin Pilchers books. However, the ending was not a surprise. I knew what was coming, even before I read it.

A Risk worth Taking follows the adventures of Dan Porter, unemployed, unsuccessful house husband of career-driven wife, and father of three. Dan impulsively goes to Scotland, gets himself involved with a woman running a mail-order business, and changes his life completely. Trouble is that Dan and the other characters are entirely two-dimensional, the plot dreadfully contrived, and the whole tale boringly predictable. All Robin Pilchers male characters are somewhat similar - selfish, irresponsible and foolish. The women are all sex objects, with the occasional career thrown in to make it PC. The kids are cardboard cut-outs from a choose your own problem child handbook. Throw in the odd Type A, B, or C businessman/politician, etc., and there you have it. This level of writing and story-telling is acceptable if you want something like a Womans Own story. If you want something a little more creative and challenging, more of a meal than a gooey doughnut with your cup of tea, look elsewhere.

Dan Porter believes his life is near perfect as he has a wonderful job with a dot com firm, married to a loving wife for twenty years, and three precocious children. However, when his company hits bad times, the policy of last in first out leaves Dan unemployed. Meanwhile his wife Jackie is managing director of Rebecca Talworth Design Limited, but makes little money as profits are returned to the company. Dan fails to get a new job, which leads to a tear in his relationship with Jackie because she feels he has become complacent while their lifestyle slips. When he reads an article in Womens Weekly about a small Scottish firm Vagabonds needing help to expand, he races north while Jackie is on the continent on business. Though the makers of the popular Vaggas is not what Dan expected, he finds his life changes perhaps even more than when he lost his dot com job, but Jackies resentment grows. This is an engaging character study of a person who once was riding the crest, but since has lost his self esteem. He begins to regain his confidence with his trip to Scotland, but the cost may prove too high. The cast is a delightful ensemble, especially Dan, his family, and the Turnbows (owners of Vagabonds). Robin Pilcher provides a deep look at what really counts as Dan reassess his values and how he has lived. Harriet Klausner