- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (Dec 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312284349
- ISBN-13: 978-0312284343
- Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.8 x 3.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,804,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Jacaranda Vines had been one of the wealthiest corporations in Australia. Now Joseph Witney, the tyrannical head of the family is dead, and Jacaranda Vines is at crisis point. Joseph's widow, Cordelia, is determined not to sell. If she can persuade her granddaughter, Sophie, to change her mind then, together, they might have a hope of winning over the other family members. Sophie agrees at least to accompany her grandmother on a road trip to the Hunter Valley, site of the company's first vineyard. But, in order to get Sophie to understand exactly what she is fighting for, Cordelia must confide both family secrets and ancient history. She begins her story with Rose, a young girl running from her native England hoping to find a new life in the wild unknown of Australia...From the Sussex Downs in the 1830s to modern day Australia, Tamara McKinley's breathtaking new novel, Jacaranda Vines, traces the lives of several generations of one unforgettable family.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Tamara McKinley was born and raised in Australia. Adopted by her grandmother, she was brought to England to finish her education. She lives on the south coast of England and writes full-time, returning to Australia frequently to visit her eldest son and do research for her books.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A second visit to Australia courtesy of Tamara McKinley.I found the sights and sounds of the country were beautifully evoked and the characters particularly well drawn.It was great to see such diversity of age in the central figures and the way in which the old story was woven into the powerplay of modern commerce was very effective. This book makes excellent holiday reading but don't expect it to last the whole week. I could't put it down and finished it in two days!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
From the Sussex Downs in the 1830's to modern day Australia, 'Jacaranda Vines' traces the lives of several generations of one unforgettable family and the struggle which led to one of the wealthiest wine corporations in the land. A wonderfully written tale where the characters are throbbing with life and the struggle to preserve the company rests in the hands of ninety year old Cordelia, the matriarch of the modern day family. Set against the harsh background of the pioneers courage, the stunning narrations and the gripping story make this a real page turner right from the first page. The journey between Barossa and Hunter vallies are described as only a proud Australian could yet it remains vivid and unsentimental and the twist at the end of the story is typical of Tamara Mckinley's mastery of her art.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Great relationship drama
26 Nov 2001
Format:Hardcover
In 1990 at the age of ninety-one Joseph "Jock" Whitney dies. Few if any mourn his death and many rejoice at his expiring. The Australian mogul owned and managed the country's biggest wine business, JACARANDA VINES, with an iron fist and an ugly temper that fell upon anyone within his radarscope including beleaguered family members. However, like many despots throughout history, Jock must have felt he would live forever because he failed to properly train his successor. Most business experts anticipate that Jock's survivors will carve up the kingdom of the "King of the Vines" into little duchies before selling off their shares. If nothing else, the civil war between Jock's wife, her brother, and her children and grandchildren will probably kill the company.
For years Jock publicly and privately humiliated his wife Cordelia. Surprisingly, she is the prime person refusing to sell the company. Desperate to find one ally among her relatives, Cordelia relates the family history starting with Rose in 1830 England to her prime hope of a supporter, her granddaughter Sophie.
JACARANDA VINES is an exciting Australian historical tale that spans over a hundred and seventy years, as Cordelia affectionately tells the family history, which enables the reader to understand why she wants to save the firm. The strong story line provides the audience incredible insight into Australia through Cordelia's narrative. Tamara McKinley furbishes a terrific tale that will surely garner her awards and several toasts from readers for this entertainingly deep novel.
Harriet Klausner
Not on par with Matilda's!
21 Nov 2001
Format:Hardcover
This book tells the story of Jacaranda Vines, a family-owned wine farm set in Australia. It follows the historical progression from the establishment of the farm in the mid 19th century, till the present day. Although this is a gripping story, like Matilda's Last Waltz (the author's previous book), it is not quite on the same level as that book.
Like the earlier book, the tale evolves along two separate, but subtly interwoven, story lines. The story line progression is quite 'fragmented' and lacks a logical flow to it, and the transitions from past to present and back again, sometimes are not as smooth as they could have been.
A good read, nevertheless, worth the time and trouble.
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