True Vines
by Diana Strinati Baur
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Pub Date Oct 23 2012 | Archive Date May 02 2017
Description
When the Italian countryside simply won't leave your heart...
After the sudden death of her Italian winemaker husband, Meryl Michelli flees to her small hometown in Pennsylvania, looking to slam the door on heartache and trudge forward. But it's never that simple, especially when old family ties have been strained by years of geographic and emotional distance.
A chance encounter with a childhood friend brings back a betrayal she could never put to rest, and readjusting to life in the States in upper mid-life wears her thin in ways she never could have imagined. Just when Meryl feels she can't go on, Providence steps in and gives her permission to completely fall apart. Only then can she finally manage to grieve both her magnanimous, flawed Francesco and the unforgettable country she left behind.
True Vines traverses the manicured rows of northern Italy's majestic wine country and the winding path of Pennsylvania's Delaware River as Meryl seeks to reconcile her past and her present. Several people on each side of the Atlantic guide her as she relives her own stories: a spirited sister-in-law, a petulant physician, a strong-willed landlady, a good-guy boss, a determined mother-in-law, an amazing flood survivor, a Senegalese English student, a young co-worker. Each recollection and encounter deepens Meryl's insight into how to make peace with her new reality.
Saying goodbye to one existence allows Meryl to swing the door open to another as she weaves a new, uniquely beautiful tapestry that transports her to exactly the place in this short, sacred life she is meant to be.
A Note From the Publisher
Eighteen years ago, she left her executive marketing career behind to follow her husband to Northern Germany, where she became a professional language/cross-cultural coach and studied stoneware/glazing at one of the few remaining master ceramic schools in the country.
In 2003, Diana and her husband sold everything and bought an abandoned Moscato farm in Acqui Terme, Piemonte, Italy, transforming the derelict property into an elegant, top rated bed and breakfast, attracting people from all over the globe to this relatively undiscovered corner of the bel paese.
She used her day journals as the basis of her first blog, and now has two books: Your Truth - Changing the Path Back To Yourself, a self-published ebook about embracing risk and life change as a motor for personal growth, and this novel, True Vines.
Advance Praise
"With colorful and poetic prose and a sense of humor, Diana Strinati Baur has created a treasure of a book with real people coming to grips with an imperfect and real life. The context blends the cultural differences between American and Italy in a way that only an expat would understand. Engaging and entertaining, Baur's book will have you checking online for your next ticket to Italy." Pamela Sheldon Johns, author of Cucina Povera: Tuscan Peasant Cooking
"Baur's debut novel is a beautifully written book about love, loss, and forgiveness. It's a must read for anyone who loves Italy and stories about amazing women finding their way." Arlene Gibbs, author of The Rebirth Of Mrs. Tracey Higgins and co-screenwriter of the hit Hollywood film, Jumping The Broom
"Diana Baur has crafted a story of courage, love and the family ties that twist and knarl like grapevines. I couldn't help but root for Meryl, an unlikely heroine who stumbles into unexpected love and an entirely new life, only to lose it all in an instant. Her struggle to make peace with her past and find love again is utterly captivating. Glass in hand, this is book to curl up and savor with a fine Piemontese red." Gina DePalma, James Beard Award Winner and Author of Dolce Italiano: Desserts From the Babbo Kitchen
"The transformational powers of true love and Italy are beautifully expressed in Baur's emotionally rich story, finely textured with fascinating characters." Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780982102343 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Mirella P, Media/Journalist
I rarely read contemporary novels, but this particular novel grabbed my interest because it had an Italian setting and it had so many 5 star reviews. And now that I've read the novel, I have to say that it is one of the best novels I've read and enjoyed this year.
The story begins as the main character, Meryl, returns to the USA after the death of her husband and after having lived in Italy for more than a decade. Page by page, like peeling the skin off a delicate onion, the author reveals Meryl's tale with a deep introspection and very lush descriptive details. The writing is so perfect and complete, that it actually feels as if you are living with the character and have become a part of her life. I could not help but suffer over her failures and triumph over her victories. I especially enjoyed the way the heroine gained insight and wisdom as she lived her life. And very few books succeed in doing all this.
The author's ability to relay a good yarn with a highly satisfying ending that leaves no questions unanswered is nothing short of magnificent. I can only say this that is truly an amazing book - one of my all time favorites. I cannot recommend it enough. Go get it. Get it now. And start reading. You won't be disappointed.
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