The Shell Seekersis a 1987 novel byRosamunde Pilcher.It became one of her most famous best-sellers. It was nominated by the British public in 2003 as one of the top 100 novels in the BBC'sBig Read.[1]In Germany the novel is calledDie Muschelsucherand was also in the top 100 novels.[2]The novel sold more than five million copies worldwide, and was adapted for the stage and as a film for television twice.[3]
 | |
| Author | Rosamunde Pilcher |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Lynn Redgrave Hannah Gordon Barbara Rosenblat |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Set in | England |
| Published | 1987 |
| Publisher | Coronet Books(UK) St. Martin's Press(US) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print Digital (Audiobook) |
| Pages | 530 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-3120-1058-4 |
| OCLC | 16830868 |
| 823.914 | |
| LC Class | PR6066.I38 |
Plot summary
editShifting in time, the novel tells the story of Penelope Keeling, the daughter of unconventional parents (an artist father and his much-younger French wife), examining her past and her relationships with her adult children. When the novel opens, Penelope is in her 60s and has just been discharged from the hospital after what was seemingly a heart attack. Penelope's life from young womanhood to the present is revealed in pieces, from her own point of view and those of her children. Much of the forward impetus of the novel involves the work of her father, including a painting calledThe Shell Seekers,given to Penelope as a wedding present.
Pilcher's novelSeptemberincludes the character of Noel Keeling, son of Penelope.
Awards
edit- BBC Big Read top 100 novels (#50) (2003)
- Winner of the Prize for Fiction by theInternational Catholic Association for Radio and Television(UNDA) -Monte Carlo Television Festival(1990)[4][5]
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
edit1989
editThisEmmy-nominatedtelevision filmof the book in theHallmark Hall of FamestarredAngela Lansburyas Penelope Keeling. Other actors includeAnna Carteret,Patricia HodgeandIrene Worth.[6]It was filmed on location inIbiza,London,Cornwalland theCotswoldsand involved significant changes to Pilcher's original story.
2005
editThe novel was adapted into a stage play byTerence BradyandCharlotte Bingham.The UK tour started in Spring 2006.
2006
editIn 2006 the book was made into amini-seriesstarringVanessa Redgraveas Penelope Keeling. It was filmed in Cornwall with scenes shot atSt Michael’s Mount,Lamorna,Port Isaacand Prideaux Place atPadstow,directed byPiers Haggard.Other cast members includedSebastian Koch,Maximilian Schell,Victoria Hamilton,and Stephanie Stumph.[7]
Audio
editThe Shell Seekerswas also released as an abridged audio book read byLynn Redgrave.An unabridged audio book, read byHannah Gordonis also available. Another unabridged version of audio book, read byBarbara Rosenblat,was published by Recorded Books, Inc., in U.S.A. In 2017, Macmillian Audio released an unabridged audiobook read byHayley Atwell.
The novel was dramatised forBBC Radio 4in 2024 by Lin Coghlan, starringEmma Fieldingas Penelope and narrated by Jessica Turner.[8]
Notes
edit- ^BBC's Big Read
- ^Big Read (German)
- ^The Shell Seekersfrom the Litlovers website]
- ^From sleeve notes of the 1989 video
- ^"Archives".tvfestival.Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2017.
- ^The Shell Seekers(1989) (TV)atIMDb
- ^The Shell Seekers(2006) (TV)atIMDb
- ^"The Shell Seekers".bbc.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2024.