Rosamunde Pilcher's Nancherrow (1999)

Enjoyable Sequel to Rosamunde Pilcher's "Coming Home"

Being a great fan of the novel and movie of "Coming Home," I was eager to see what happened next to favorite characters like Judith, Loveday, and Gus. Although Rosamunde Pilcher did not write this sequel herself, for the most part the characters remained true to form. Only Judith Dunbar, the admirable heroine of "Coming Home," seems to have had a personality downgrade. As well, a different actress played the part in this sequel and the whole essence of Judith seemed to change from bright girl marvel to whiney, jealous woman.

"Nancherrow" begins in February, 1947, with the funeral of Colonel Edgar Carey-Lewis, the patriarch of Nancherrow. The estate is left to his stubborn and somewhat spoiled daughter Loveday. She has married beneath her class and cannot convince husband Walter to move to the manor, thus causing endless bickering and sending Walter into the arms of another woman.

One day Loveday sees a magazine ad promoting an art show by her former love Gus Callender. Never having gotten over Gus, Loveday travels to London and once again takes up with Gus. Thus the stage is set for Loveday's return to Nancherrow with Gus, not Walter. But it is the overwhelming taxes and cost of keeping up the formerly lavish estate that will threaten her relationship with Gus. Nancherrow will always be the great love of Loveday's life, and whether there is room in her heart for a man remains in doubt.

Diana remains the beautiful and supportive mother, risking bankruptcy herself to keep Nancherrow for Loveday. We also see a new dimension to Diana as attractive widow, industrious worker, and clever manipulator.

Will Gus and Diana be able to convince Loveday to sell Nancherrow? Will Loveday be able to love a person as much as she loves her father's legacy? Will her son Nat be torn between his well-bred mother and his father, a commoner? Will Judith be able to accept the unplanned turn Jess' life takes? How will Jess deal with an overwhelming tragedy? All storylines are nicely tied up and the viewer can sleep well knowing that, as always in the world of Rosamunde Pilcher, the great majority lives happily ever after. June 16, 2005

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