The Vineyard

A Novel

By: Barbara Delinsky

Narrated by: Beth Fowler

When Natalie Seebring announces plans to marry within months of the death of her husband of fifty-eight years, her son and daughter are stunned. In the face of their disapproval, Natalie decides it's time to talk about the past and reveal the secrets she has kept for decades. She hires Olivia Jones to help write her memoir and invites her to spend the summer at the family vineyard. As summer deepens and the vineyard's crop ripens, Natalie's story unfolds and startles one family member after another, while Olivia's fantasy of finding a welcoming family remains as tenuous as the success of the season's crop.

©2000 Simon & Schuster Audio (P)2000 Barbara Delinsky

Critic reviews

"High drama, beautiful scenery, and resilient yet sensitive characters make this a must for all Delinsky fans and a perfect introduction to her work for new readers." ( Booklist)

Great book but….

I am only a few chapters in but the main character’s illusions and even lying about her life is so annoying! I will finish but really this grown woman is very immature

Predictable, but good for light reading

Mildly interesting story, but the characters lacked ...everything. Only Natalie was fully described, even the main character was left with no real substance. I kept hoping for more background to the tale, but it just ended. Definitely not on of B. Delinsky's better books.

Good Book

Would you listen to The Vineyard again? Why?

I probably would listen to this book again. I enjoyed the reader.

What does Beth Fowler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed her change of voice depicting each character. She was excellent.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was intrigued.

Any additional comments?

Good book, great reader. I enjoyed this book a great deal.

Free spirit and matriarch learn from each other

A young, photo-restorer in Boston, a single mother of a dyslexic daughter, dreams about a family vineyard as she restorers the photos depicting the history of the vineyard. When she is about to lose her job, she grabs the chance for her and her daughter to spend the summer on the vineyard writing the memoir of its aging matriarch. The free-spirited, young, single mother and the older selfless matriarch are great foils for each other. Now widowed and almost 80, the matriarch decides to marry the childhood sweetheart she gave up years ago in order to marry a richer man whose capital could build the family vineyard. But her children deeply resent her decision.

Enjoyable

The beginning didn't make me think I would like this book. However, if you stay with it I believe you will find alot of story in this book. BD seems to write this way...there are things that work their way to the surface.Sometimes that seems to take a little longer than some people would like but audio books are pretty much my only entertainment so I don't mind. I liked the characters in this book. The development of the daughter was important to me. I can recommend this book.
May I recommend "Coast Road" by BD, the narration and story have surpassed anything else I have listened to by this author.

Good Summer Read...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes..I was a bit hesitant to buy but the deep story really gripped me. Story that got it all rolling seemed shallow and kind of silly but the overall story was very interesting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Vineyard?

Story of the old woman was very interesting.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Things aren't always as they appear

Time just flew by!

I drove to Miami and back and for the first time I actually enjoyed the ride. I am hooked on Audible!

True love never dies

Would you listen to The Vineyard again? Why?

No, I would not listen again. Mainly due to the length and Olivia drove me nuts most of the time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Natalie because she just said what she thought, full of spunk for an older lady and she never gave up.

What does Beth Fowler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The emotion the characters are feeling can be head in her voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me frustrated and kinda shout for Olivia to grow up!

Any additional comments?

Although Olivia got on my nerves often I enjoyed this book. Very vivid story telling made it easy to feel the experience.

excellent narrator

the book was great :) the narrator was wonderful and made it even better.