Christmas With Rosamunde Pilcher

by Rosamunde Pilcher, Andreas von Einsiedel (Photographer), Siv Bublitz (Editor)

Rosamunde Pilcher, the beloved author of The Shell Seekers and Coming Home , invites you to share the magic of the Christmas season with her and her family as they celebrate the holiday in timeless Scottish tradition. From the quiet preparations of writing her holiday greetings to the sweet smells rising from her kitchen as she bakes the cakes and cookies her children and grandchildren look forward to year after year, the entire family joins in to prepare the home for the arrival of friends. Share in the Pilcher family's laughter and joy through the season as they tell stories, play in the snow, sing carols, and simply enjoy being in each other's company.

This handsome book is filled with photographs of the Pilchers as they celebrate the holiday-- wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, savoring a fine Christmas dinner. There are also stunning images of Scotland in all of its delicate December beauty. Rosamunde Pilcher reminisces about an unexpectedly special Christmas celebration and shares other bits of Pilcher holiday lore, as well as their favorite Christmas carols. Inside, you will find Rosamunde Pilcher's charming holiday story "Miss Cameron at Christmas." She also shares her holiday recipes for scones, shortbread, roast turkey, Christmas pudding, chestnut stuffing, and many more Pilcher family favorites. Christmas with Rosamunde Pilcher is a lovely gift. You'll find her home during the Christmas season as warm and inviting as her novels.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Memoir, British Literature, Scotland, Food

122 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Rosamunde Scott was born on 22 September 1924 in Lelant, Cornwall, England, UK, daughter of Helen and Charles Scott, a British commander. Just before her birth her father was posted in Burma, her mother remained in England. She attended St. Clare's Polwithen and Howell's School Llandaff before going on to Miss Kerr-Sanders' Secretarial College. She began writing when she was seven and published her first short story when she was 18. From 1943 through 1946, Pilcher served with the Women's Naval Service. On 7 December 1946, she married Graham Hope Pilcher, a war hero and jute industry executive who died in March 2009. They moved to Dundee, Scotland, where she remained until her death in 2019. They had two daughters and two sons, and fourteen grandchildren. Her son, Robin Pilcher, is also a novelist.

In 1949, her first book, a romance novel, was published by Mills & Boon, under the pseudonym Jane Fraser. She published a further ten novels under that name. In 1955, she also began writing under her married name Rosamunde Pilcher, by 1965 she her own name to all of her novels. In 1996, her novel Coming Home won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by Romantic Novelists' Association. She retired from writing in 2000 following publication of Winter Solstice. Two years later, she was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Reviews

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most cozy Christmas book I've ever read! Christmas with Rosamunde Pilcher was such a joy and comfort to read. Gorgeous full-color photographs of RP's family during Christmas, festive recipes, beautiful home decorations and a final holiday short story that I've never read before. Perfection!!

This will now have a permanent place on my "Christmas Books to Read Every Year" shelf. This lovely edition is a true classic in its simplicity, style and warm and friendly tone. Highly, highly recommended, especially if you are a fan of Rosamunde Pilcher's books. (My favorite is still Winter Solstice ♥️)

[Shanna]

I'm never not comforted by Rosamunde Pilcher, even here in this sweet little coffee table book about the holidays. It starts with a personal narrative of her family's celebrating her and her husband's 50th anniversary and then moves into recipes, ideas, stories for making merry, and finishes with a sweet little short story set around Christmas. It doesn't take long to read this, but it's so enjoyable. I can't think of anybody who gets the pleasure of little luxuries the way she does, and reading her stories just always feels like a friend pouring you a cup of steaming tea and tucking you into the nicest room for the night.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had found this book last Christmas, before my mother died. She and I shared a love of Rosamunde Pilcher's books, and we both owned four of them (The Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home and WInter Solstice) which we frequently re-read. Pilcher's books are always filled with characters I wish I knew, houses I wish I could visit. I've traveled twice in Scotland, and Edinburgh is my favorite city...in any country. The story at the end of this book, set on the opposite side of the Firth of Forth, was a perfect end to my Christmas holiday, and I suspect I'm about to visit Amazon to buy my own copy.

[Andrea Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet little book. It made my heart so happy! I am now ready for the holidays!!

[Caro (carosbookcase) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely Christmassy read. It contains gorgeous photographs of Rosamunde Pitcher and her family preparing for and celebrating Christmas at home in Scotland with reminiscences of Rosamunde Pilcher of Christmases past, family traditions, and recipes. It also has little tidbits about how Christmas is celebrated in the UK. The book concludes with a delightful short story by Rosamunde Pitcher called “Miss Cameron at Christmas”.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

gorgeous photos of food that includes the recipes ~
great decorating photos and expressions of creativity...
very enjoyable Christmas book full of practical celebration ideas for readers.
also, offering insights into the personal life of Rosamunde and her family that endear her to her readers...

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosamunde is no longer living, but this little book is a treasure trove. She invites us into her home for the holidays, and offers insights to make the season bright. There is also a a beautiful short Christmas story at the end.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book describing a lovely Scottish Christmas. I read it because I love Pilcher's books and was curious, and although the main part of the book was mostly "meh," it was indeed interesting to see how a rather posh family might celebrate Christmas while on holiday not far from home. I also enjoyed seeing pictures of Pilcher and her home, though it felt rather voyeuristic to be privy to intimate details about the family holiday, including the gifts which were given. I did, however, like that there were recipes included and I hope to copy a couple down before returning it to the library.

What I absolutely loved about this book was the sweet short Christmas story Pilcher includes at the end. It's lovely and perfect--as can be expected--and it was such a wonderful little holiday season Saturday morning read by the fire.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very dated. And holy smokes it was $33.99 Canadian in 1997!! Ridiculous! I wouldn’t even pay that now! HUH? It's 50.00 in hardcover on Amazon right now?

She must have had quite the cult following for this book to be made in a pre-Instagram era. Interesting to see how she celebrated back in the day.

Her short story at the end of the book was lovely and I may have teared up more than I expected. She does have a way with words.

[Bert Stanaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely! This is the word that pops into my mind when I think of this book, just lovely. Ms. Pilcher tells a bit about her early life, her marriage, and family. She has included music, recipes, and tells how she prepares for Christmas. And there are lots of beautiful photos of food, outdoors, indoors, and the story just makes you want to get ready for Christmas and then haul off and go to Scotland. This is a lovely read.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely insight into Christmas with the Pilcher family. A feel good Christmas table book, complete with a short story by Rosamunde. Perfect!

Read again in 2020, and loved it just as much as the first time.

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marking the 1st of December with a Christmas book!

Much like the other photo rich offering about Rosamunde Pilcher's lifestyle, this small coffee table book is pretty and a fluff read. It's fun to peruse pics of her making Christmas cookies (with her Aga, of course!) and to see the family recipe for mini mincemeat pies. And the British do love the pull apart crackers and the silly hats inside them. I should try those some year.

But many of the frequently used filler photos are boring stock images of tinsel and garland. I can find those in any book. I enjoyed paging through this, but it's going back to the library. No need for me to track down this out of print book.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse into the life of one of my favorite authors. The first section is her recounting of her Golden wedding anniversary which was a family trip at Christmastime. The next section is Christmas preparations at home in Scotland and the final section is a short story she wrote with a Christmas theme.
It's fun to read something about the life of an author that gives you a glimpse into their own life.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. Author, Rosamunde Pilcher, graciously shares her family Christmas traditions along with family photographs, recipes and the historical origins of Christmas practices around the world. This lovely memoir is completed with a fitting and satisfying short story by the author titled, Miss Cameron’s Christmas.

[Yves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes work, and the theme of the book is a world that has pretty well disappeared except if you take this book as a guide to re-create your Scottish Christmas 🎄.
I read this in pieces over time and I know just who to give it to next.

[Suzanne Fournier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosamunde takes readers through her holiday preparations and celebrations in the UK.

I haven't read any of Rosamunde's books but this was interesting, I feel a bit of a kindred spirit with all the plaid and the dachshund.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my mother's books and it was perfect to read after finishing Winter Solstice. The first part of the book describes Christmas with Rosamunde Pilcher's family and includes beautiful pictures and recipes. The books ends with a sweet short story about Christmas.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas book; gorgeous photos, yummy recipes, heartwarming story (Miss Cameron at Christmas). This one's a keeper.

[Diana McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Rosamunde Pilcher as I am, you will find this book fun. Traditions, recipes, and lovely photos of a quaint holiday.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely photos and a glimpse into the life of a favorite author. Escape to the joy of Christmases past in Scotland.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS was a pleasure to read- particularly loved the short story at the end.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delight. I loved reading about her Christmas that is really very different from my own. I loved the short story at the back of the book. It just was a perfect touch.

[Julia Extance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book premise, and it's written in third person about Rosamunde, by Rosamunde...
The short story was nice though

[Amanda Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has such a warm, cozy feel to it. I loved all the photos included.

[Georgetowner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely gift book with a peek into how the Pilcher family keeps Christmas. A short Christmas story by Rosamunde Pilfher is included at the end. Lovely photos throughout the book.

[Bless Your Memory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Perfect cozy read for the holidays.

[Leahlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this was mildly interesting (if somewhat mundane) holiday traditions & family minutia, but I liked the recipes & pictures. The short story at the end is very heart-warming & Christmasy!

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 4 out of 5]

My one and only Rosemunde Pilcher book . A holiday favorite that I found in the local library .

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte ca o bijuterie pentru fanii Rosamundei Pilcher.

[Libby Gamez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a combination of traditions, history, anecdotes, recipes, decorating, songs, and a short story. A very heartwarming Christmastime read.