Jacaranda Vines [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Tamara McKinley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2002

After years of dominating Australia's wine industry, Jock Witney dies, leaving his family's business in a shambles. Despite offer worth hundreds of millions for the company, the family is split and unable to agree on the future of Jacaranda Vines. Exhausted after years of Jock's violent temper and exacting ways, it would be a relief to sell Jacaranda to the highest bidder, but Cordelia, Jock's long estranged widow, insists on keeping the winery together.

In need of an ally, Cordelia takes her granddaughter on a trip through the harsh Australian outback, sharing with Sophie tales of hardship and secrets from the past. She begins her story with Rose, a young girl running from her native England in hopes of finding a new life in the wild unknown of Australia.

From Sussex Downs in the 1830s to modern day Australia, Tamara McKinley's breathtaking new novel traces the lives of several generations of one unforgettable family.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The death of Australian wine tycoon Jock Witney leaves his empire on the brink of financial ruin and his family exhausted by his tyrannical management of both his business and their personal lives. Faced with the potential of either bankruptcy or an unfriendly takeover by a French conglomerate, the family debates their fate. Fearful of losing their livelihood and lavish lifestyle, they let their emotions run high, and bickering nears the boiling point. Jock's widow, Cordelia, finally demands an adjournment to look at other options. While the rest of the family smolders, Cordelia goes on a walkabout to a distant vineyard with her granddaughter, Sophia. More than a sentimental journey, this trip allows Cordelia both to gain Sophia as an ally and share with her the colorful history of the family and the vast Jacaranda Vines estate. Cordelia recounts the saga of generations who built the empire from tiny cuttings brought from France and Germany, which were planted by prisoners and fugitives and then nurtured through onslaughts of weather, wildlife, and poachers. As in Matilda's Last Waltz (LJ 8/00), McKinley paints a vast canvas of the Australian landscape, complete with colorful, well-drawn characters, sharp historical detail, and enough action and passion to capture and hold a wide audience. Highly recommended for public libraries. Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In a powerful, multigenerational saga as vast and complex as the Australian continent on which it unfurls, McKinley uncovers deep-rooted family secrets and long-closeted skeletons that threaten the future of Jacaranda Vines, Australia's leading vineyard. During his life, Jock Witney ruled both the winery and his family with despotic tyranny. In death, his treachery only served to pit family members against each other in a contentious, internecine battle to determine the company's fate. Desperate to preserve her family's legacy, Jock's 90-year-old widow, Cordelia, must reach across generations to forge a solution designed to repair old rifts and create new alliances. In so doing, she harkens back to the wretched ships that transported convicts and outcasts from Britain to Botany Bay, weaving a tale of the lost loves and daring dreams that were destined to shape a nation and spawn a dynasty. From the bush to the boardroom, McKinley's sweeping drama bursts with intense emotions, exotic locations, and passionate portrayals of a demanding land and its dynamic people. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Magna Large Print Books (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750517816
• ISBN-13: 978-0750517812
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,649,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great relationship drama, November 25, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jacaranda Vines (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

3.0 out of 5 stars Not on par with Matilda's!, November 21, 2001

By 

Jesse L. Rowe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jacaranda Vines (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.