Dancing in graceful rhythm
Tulip Chowdhury is in love with a love story
VICTORIA Bradshaw, just eighteen, falls in love with the playwright Oliver Dobbs. He comes into her life as if in an interlude and suddenly disappears. After two years Victoria reads the news of his play being put up for a show in London. As she is wondering about Oliver, who should appear in person on her doorstep? One morning she opens the door to find Oliver standing outside with a little boy. Victoria invites them in and from then on Victoria finds herself wrapped up in Oliver's life along with his son. Oliver is selfish and egotistical and yet Victoria is unable to get over him, the first love of her life. And soft hearted as she is, she finds herself standing up in a mother's place for little Thomas, Oliver's two-year old son. Oliver confesses that he has kidnapped his son from the grandparents and wants Victoria to take care of him. At that moment Victoria is unable to refuse to accept the child, who looks so helpless in his father's care. Victoria, rather alone in the world, finds her emptiness filled up with the appearance of these two people in her life. She hesitates at first, wondering if Oliver will get into trouble with the law. But as days pass and little Thomas is settled in with her she finds it impossible to let go of the little boy. Her motherly instincts are roused as the little boy gets attached to her. Victoria is in need of a holiday after long months of work at the dress shop. So she welcomes the possibility of a break when Oliver decides to go off to Benchoile in Scotland and spend some days with his old friend Roddy. In Benchoile, Victoria finds John Dunbeath, another writer. She had met him once at a party in London. John takes more than casual interest in Victoria. He is touched by her motherly love for Thomas. But he does not hide his dislike of Oliver and his haughty ways. To him it is obvious that the playwright is using Victoria for his selfish reasons. But Victoria is firm in her love and support for the only family she now knows. She is blind to Oliver's apparent selfish motives behind his keeping up his relationship with her. She is certain that Oliver wants to settle down with his son and her as his family. The story, which moves smoothly, takes a turn and soars into its climax as life starts taking roller coaster rides in quiet Benchoile. The house in which little Thomas is sleeping catches fire while both Victoria and Oliver are away. And then Oliver, who is supposed to return from a trip to Woodbridge, fails to turn up. While the reader feels in tune with the happenings of the story, the gripping plots unfold with twists and turns that take the reader to the heights of enjoying a story that is remarkably well told. The mastery of words seems to build up intricate tales in each chapter as it comes with unique characterizations. Though at times Victoria's innocence and kindhearted acceptance of Oliver seems too bland, it becomes understandable considering her need for love and connection. The modern day Scottish settings are so true to life that the story pulsates with the reality of living. Reading Rosamunde Pilcher is an incredibly relaxing experience. Her poetic description of nature is very evocative in all details. The characters dance in and out of the graceful and precise rhythms of minuet. The story is set in late winter, at the beginning of February. The descriptions of the weather do not fail to accentuate the reader's imagination. The reader is caught in the trance as if living in the very moments. The ending of the story is remarkably satisfying, giving the reader a feeling that there is after all some justice in this world and happiness is there when one looks for it. If you are a fan of happy endings, grab the book with the assurance of some superb reading hours!
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