Winter and Rough Weather

By: D. E. Stevenson

Narrated by: Leslie Mackie

Rhoda, an artist from London, and her childhood sweetheart, James, finally wed, following a lot of deliberation - particularly on Rhoda's side. Her love for James outbalances her career, and she takes the plunge into living the life of a farmer's wife at Boscath farm in Scotland.

Arriving at Boscath, they employ a cook, Miss Flockie, who is exceptional in her duties and, more importantly, a friend to Rhoda. Their new home, although quaint, is isolated, and Rhoda misses her life in London.

With James tending to the farm, Rhoda impulsively decides she will start painting again and finds inspiration in her beautiful surroundings. Their marriage is strong, and both James and Rhoda rise to the challenge of their life in rough weather.

©1951 Dorothy Emily Peploe (P)2017 Soundings

Wonderful Find

What a wonderful find!! The narration was absolutely perfect. I started reading this in paperback but couldn’t find time to finish it in time for my book group discussion. I’m so glad I got the audio version. It was a perfect accompaniment to the characters and the cadence of the wonderful writing. Highly, highly recommend.

Excellent Book

A great book on its own, an even better end to the trilogy—love DE Stevensons books!
Very wholesome and engaging

fabulous

Lesley is a wonderfully adept narrator, her accents are spot on. This author is well-loved, great stories with warm characterizations. Many hours spent in delightful reading.

Soothing and satisfying

I dearly love these DE Stevenson books. What a great storyteller she is. They are like a balm to my (not) troubled soul, so gentle, so life-affirming, so kind. Leslie Mackie's performance is perfection for these satisfying tales.

If you're looking for rollicking adventure...nope, you won't find it here. But if you want sweet, well-written stories, you won't go wrong with DE Stevenson.

Completing the Drumberley Trilogy

This novel completes the "Drumberley Trilogy", started with Vittoria Cottage and continuing with Music in the Hills, both also narrated by Leslie Mackie. Winter and Rough Weather has also been published using the title "Shoulder the Sky". The version currently available on Kindle uses the "Shoulder the Sky" title. The major difference is that in one version a family of characters are named "Shaw" and in the other they are named "Steele".

I love D. E. Stevenson as an author and never more than when she is showing us the lovely "Boarders" region of Scotland, where she lived much of her life. Those who have listened to or read the earlier books in the Trilogy will be delighted to see what happens to James and Rhoda as they build their lives together. And those new to the world will still find an enjoyable and thought provoking look at what it means to build a marriage, and can enjoy the lovely locality. I think the book would be richer for knowing the earlier stories, but don't feel that they are necessary.

Remember that this book was written in the nineteen fifties and as such does display an attitude about "a woman's place" that may feel a bit strange to modern readers. In fact, James's feelings that his wife SHOULD continue her career as an oil painter/artist after marriage was rather "modern" for the time and place.

I very much enjoy James and Rhoda and all the other characters and was delighted at Leslie Mackie's portrayal of them.