Schlagwort: Generational Fiction

The Lost Vintage – Ann Mah

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AuthorAnn Mah
PublisherWilliam Morrow
Date19 June 2018
EditionHardcover
Pages384
LanguageEnglish
ISBN-13978-0062823311

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about responsibility and what one generation owes to the next.” (Citation page 151)

Content

In September 2015 Kate, an ambitious sommelier living in San Francisco, returns to Meursault, Burgundy, where her family since generations owns a vineyard, famous for its wines. Years ago, she had left Burgundy and her fiancé Jean-Luc. Now she needs to freshen up her knowledge about Burgundy vintages, to pass the blind testing of the extremely difficult Master of Wine exam.

She stays in the old family landhouse and vineyard, now managed by her cousin Nico who is married to her best friend Heather. When she helps Heather to clean out the large, deep cellar, she discovers a hidden room, the traces leading back to WWII. Who was Hélène, a family member never mentioned? Should they reveal hidden family secrets?

Theme and Genre

This novel is about family, generations, friendship, love and about the passion of viniculture, Burgundy and French living style.

An important theme is the Second World War, the occupied France, Nazis and resistance and how people tried to survive and in the same time follow their conscience. There are family secrets, still hidden and never spoken about.

Plot and Writing

The story is told in two different timelines; both are chronological. They are interwoven and told alternately. There is the first story, told by Kate in the first person and set in modern France 2015. The second story is the diary of Hélène, written between 1939 and 1944. The headlines show the dates, so it is easy to follow the story.

Ann Mah has found the perfect balance between the French scenery of modern, but still traditional winemaking, framing a story about friendship and love, and the gripping story of the French Résistance, courageous people risking their lifes.

The author gives us wonderful descriptions about wine and Burgundy and shows a deep understanding of feelings and human character.

Conclusion

This admirably written novel about the violence of war and memoirs between generations of family members is both, a story of love and friendship in the beautiful scenery of a Burgundian vineyard and a gripping, breathtaking story about life in occupied France. A perfect page-turner to lose yourself.

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A Perfect Heritage – Penny Vincenzi

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AuthorPenny Vincenzi
PublisherReview
Date 19 June 2014
EditionKindle
Pages770 (Print)
LanguageEnglish
ASINB00FAT9HD2

„The most important thing of all he said was to only do what I was good at, not to struggle with the rest.“ (Quotation page 224)

Content

The elegant, timeless and famous Athina Farrell is the figurehead of the House of Farrell. Once very famous cosmetic brand, but meanwhile a little bit old fashioned, is the company almost insolvent. A group of investors is ready to give the Farrell a new but last chance. Bianca Bailey, a smart businesswoman and very successful, high-profile financial expert, has the knowledge and brilliant ideas, but many changes are to be made in the family leaded company. The matriarch Athina Farrell is absolutely not open to new ideas, if not her own and she is still powerful – would she risk the future of the famous House of Farrell?

Theme and Genre

This interesting, thrilling story is about family lead companies, about cosmetics and new markets in our modern world. It is also about family, love, feelings, about social media and bullying, and the problems of very successful working moms.

Characters

The characters are interesting, well drawn and most of them likeable. Bianca, who wants to succeed in saving the company and who knows that it will work, has problems to connect her intense job with her family live as a mother of three. Florence Hamilton, director of the famous Farrell flagship store at Berkeley Arcade for many years, is just loveable. Athina Farrell, stylish but with traditional business ideas is a legend and still sees the House of Farrell as her own, not willing to cooperate with Bianca.

Plot and Writing

The story is intense, because it is much more than the exciting question, if and how the famous House of Farrell is saved. It is about decision-making and the twists, troubles and happiness in the personal lives of everybody intertwined. The author switches between the persons, and they all have their own stories. In my opinion, that is why this book is so unputdownable, together with the naturally flowing, readable language.

Conclusion

This book could be described as a saga and generational fiction of a family owned famous  cosmetic brand, but what it makes a really captivating and delightful reading are the personal stories of the members of the family Farrell, all the persons working at Farrell and in Bianca’s team. A perfect book for enjoyable, exciting hours of reading. 

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