The Lost Vintage

The author is a good writer who developed the characters and plot competently. But the underlying message distracted me from deeply enjoying the book. This idea of taking personal responsibility for our ancestors is such utter hogwash that it destroyed the story. How can anyone embrace the actions of others to the point that it adversely affects their present? An individual is lucky if they can manage their own life and actions. To take responsibility for those who died before we were born is the height if arrogance.

I can’t help but wonder if the author is on some sort of personal crusade to make others feel guilty for the actions of others. Well, this reader isn’t buying that type of warped thinking. I refuse to embrace blame or glory from my ancestors. After all, I had absolutely no part in their actions or decisions and refuse to be a victim of those actions and choices.

Highly recommend this book; while it would be a great beach read, calling it that might seem like insult to such a thoughtful and well-written book. This is the first book I have finished in four years since having my first child. I could not put it down, and read it in about 2 days. Skipped my grocery shopping in fact to keep reading. The story is interesting and complex without being confusing (not even to this scrambled egg mom-brain); the characters are well developed; the portrait of the landscape of Burgundy and lifestyle of french winemakers is really transporting. I found the details of occupied France fascinating and it made me want to learn more about France during this time, about which I know embarrassingly little.

I was truly moved by the historical portion of Ann Mahs novel THE LOST VINTAGE and how it tied in with the present-day story of a young woman who goes to her familys home in Burgundy to study for her Master of Wine exam where she learns much more than just the history of their vineyard.

During the 1940s, war is in full force, a young French woman living with her father and two young stepbrothers, is under the thumb of her truly wicked stepmother, and once the Nazis come to town the family is at odds. There is nobody to oversee their vineyard, food is scarce, and illness takes over many.

There is so much physical and emotional pain in this story, heartache that affects generations, yet at the same time, by unearthing and teaching history, comes the hope of regaining family ties and in the preservation of friendship, and a sense of pride in where you come from.

The Lost Vintage is a novel that surprised me. There have been countless World War II novels published in the last few years, but this is the first I’ve read that focused on Occupied France. The story is told through a dual storyline. The main one takes place in present day California and the Burgundy region of France as Kate Elliott returns to her ancestral home, a vineyard that has been in the family for generations, in order to study for the Master of Wine exam. While there, she discovers a secret cellar, filled with vintage wines. She also discovers the story of her unknown great aunt, Helene, whose journals tell the other story of Occupied France during World War II.

Ann Mah’s writing completely captivated me. The many twists and turns in this tale are expertly weaved into a story about family, choices, and sacrifice. I highly recommend this book.

Another wonderful book by Ann Mah. From the first page I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see how the story would unfold. I wanted to know what happened within this family with the dual timeline. I learned about the wine industry as well as WWII events that I had forgotten or maybe didn’t want to know. The book shares history as well as love and commitment.

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