Under Gemini by Rosamunde Pilcher

 

• Audiotape: 2 tapes Abridged 3hrs listening
• Genre : Romantic Fiction
• Publisher: Harper Collins Audio Books 1992
• Source: From a selection I have languishing on shelves.
• Read By : Imogen Stubbs

A totally new departure for me, this is the first time I have reviewed an Audio Book. I recently discovered a collection of approximately twenty audio books that we have moved from house to house for years. It is time that most of them were moved on as tapes are rather out dated, although I might keep the classics. They do have one advantage though over books on CD’s in that it is easier to find your place if you do not listen in one sitting. I normally listen to the radio or music on my i pod while I am ironing so time for an occasional change of routine.

I have started off with Under Gemini by Rosamunde Pilcher which was released in 1992 and I have no idea how or why I came to have it on tape. Rosamunde Pilcher is an author whose books I happen to have read no less than 7 of between 1990 and 1997 and just one since we left the UK in 2004.  My favourite of her books which was originally published in 1987 is ‘The Shell Seekers’ which was on the long list for The Best Love Story of the Last Fifty Years 1960 - 2010

This abridged version of Under Gemini was very easy listening, over two ironing sessions, nothing spectacular but I enjoyed listening to this tale of love, betrayal and deception. It is the story of identical twins Rose and Flora who are unaware of each others existence until they meet quite by chance in a London restaurant. The chances of this happening are so very remote that this did annoy me a little, but then this is a novel. They both lead very different lifestyles and for reasons that will be revealed to those that read or listen to this book, Rose persuades Flora to stand in for her to help her escape a man she no longer has romantic feelings for. In taking her twin sisters place Flora’s life is changed for ever. A bit of a cliché but then it is as she finds happiness beyond her dreams.

Pleasant enough easy listening, I certainly recommend you try her novels if you are a fan of British romantic fiction authors.

Rosamunde Pilcher

Rosamunde Pilcher was born in Cornwall, UK on September 22, 1924.

Rosamunde Pilcher has had a long and distinguished career as a novelist and short story writer, covering the period from 1949 to 2000 when she retired from writing. 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 best-loved story-tellers of our time. At least three of her bestselling novels, September, Coming Home and Winter Solstice  were made into television films.  In 2002 she was awarded an O.B.E for services to literature. She lives near Dundee.

Biographical information courtesy of Wikipedia and Amazon.co.uk