A Risk Worth Taking

Robin Pilcher is the son of a famous female novelist, but despite laboring under that burden, he seems to have developed into a good writer. I ve only read one of his books, but A Risk Worth Taking is a good novel about the fork in the road we can find ourselves in in middle age. Dan Porter is a victim of the Dot Com bubble bursting and taking his job and most of his money with it. So at age 50 he finds himself jobless, on the dole so to speak while his beautiful wife of 20 years, Jackie, keeps her upper crust job and has to become the supprt of the family. In a common scenario, Dan is blind to whats going on around him. He doesnt see Jackies increasing contempt for the failure whos lying around the house while she becomes the man of the house. He doesnt notice that she has no time for him anymore, no time or interest in sex and not much in their three children. She is just plain unhappy at home. She is happy only at work where she labors beside a good looking young man who has become her partner and emotional support, a young man who has wanted her for more than sex for years and is just biding his time until the cracks develop in her dying marriage. And then one day Dan sees a story in a magazine about a little company that is producing a wildly popular clothing line in the wilds of Scotland and decides to take a chance on buying it and revitalizing his life and his marriage. That falls through, but in the process of traveling to the North, he meets a dying man who runs a seafood business about which Dan knows absolutely nothing. But the owner likes Dan, sees a kindred spirit, and invites him to work for him for four months while hes short handed. Having not much better to do, he tells his wife hell be staying in Scotland for four months. Dans son joins him and develops an interest in and talent for the new business, as well as finding a new girlfriend. And for the first time, Dan has a chance to get to know his son and the kind of man he is becoming. While most readers can see whats coming, Pilcher does a good job of making the pieces come together into a picture of what Dans life could be, if he could persuade Jackie and their children to join him in the wilds of Scotland. Dan is an attractive and likeable character and the reader is rooting for him to make a new life, and for his eyes to be opened to who and what Jackie has become while he wasnt paying attention. I liked the book, but I only gave it four stars because it isnt the book it could have been, or should have been. This is an era when readers are supposed to like short, easily read novels. Pilcher develops a great linchpin character in Dan, and some other likeable characters like the owner who gives him a new chance at life. But nobody else really comes to life. Theyre sketchy characters designed to take up space around Dan. And, worst of all, Jackie is a cliched zero. She is THE BITCH. Thats basically her function. In a movie, viewers would hiss when she comes on screen. This is a woman who has been Dans partner in life for 20 years, the mother of his children. Dan loved her at one time.There must have been a reason. And he hasnt fought for her because he never even knew there was a fight to be waged. Im sure this happens a million times a day around the globe, but a story about two people who loved each needs to have SOME conflict. There needs to be even a hint of what the two of them had at one time. But its basically just ho hum. I lost my wife. Too bad. I think Ill go up to Scotland and see if I can find another woman. What Im saying, I guess in my long winded way, is that this is a good novel, with a very, very crappy ending.

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 took a risk on reading a new book by a new Author I have not had the pleasure of reading and let me say; it was a risk worth taking. I will be purshasing more Robin Pilcher books. It doesnt hurt that his Mum is one of my favorites.

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.

This is a delightfully, well written story. The characters feel like friends and caring about their lives is easy and thought provoking. Thanks for a great book. Didnt want it to end.

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.

wonderful, understanding ,beautiful lives .I want more

NOT very believable. The problems Dan and family faced do not fix themselves just by wishful thinking as Pilcher would have us believe. A lay-about Dad goes to remote Scotland and finds himself within days; his lay-about son follows Dad and finds himself within days; two spoiled-brat teenage daughters go to visit Dad and brother and find themselves within HOURS. Poor wifie-Jackie--stays home and loses herself. Only a total misogynist could create a woman as shallow and unredeeming as that. The best and only redeeming feature of the book was listening to the audio-CD versions wonderful Scottish accent of the narrator.

Like many of Robin Pilchers readers, I tried a second book by him (the first was Starting Over) in a vain attempt to find something similar to the books written by the authors far more talented mother, Rosamunde Pilcher, who, sadly, has stopped writing. Again -- a complete disappointment. Robin Pilcher has learned some of his mothers narrative skills but has never managed to make any of his characters into someone most of us actually want to read about: Dan Porter is another obtuse, unlikeable man, whose wife I wholeheartedly symphathize with -- Id leave him too. Pilchers characters are shallow and uninteresting, with ridiculous motivations (for example, why would Dan Porter decide to stay home for his family, turning down all job offers and knowingly causing chaos in the process; but neglect to tell his family about his reasons for doing so?). I have trudged through two Robin Pilcher novels and I wont try another one. For those who think they might like to read this book, I strongly urge them to start with the Rosamunde Pilcher novels instead.

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.