VALLEY OF THE VINES

by Joy Packer ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

New emphasis for this title originally reported in the August 15th issue, and now set for this date and February selection of the Literary Guild. Report repeated: ""South Africa takes on softer tones- and a sentimental timbre- in this story of Dieu Donne, a large wine farm, a once great inheritance held together by the aging, indomitable Grannie Constance de Valois as a legacy- presumably- for her only granddaughter, Merle. But is is Roxane, her adopted ward, for whom it is a home to be safeguarded, against the commercial encroachments of the Afrikaan- Krifti- and her affection and admiration for Grannie Con is far stronger than that of Merle. Growing up there, Roxane falls in love at 15 with Hal Fairmead- a newspaper correspondent, and this love also does not diminish although Hal is to marry a famous ballerina, Alexa Roma. Roxane sees Hal again in England his marriage already threatened by the child Alexa did not want. She leaves him to go home and accept the faithful devotion offered her by Thinus, an Afrikaan- and Grannie Con's farm manager. Alexa suicides and Hal returns to Africa; a fire ruins the already Jeopardized Dieu Donne; Roxane learns that she is really the (illegitimate) granddaughter of Grannie Con; and Thinus steps aside- for Hal-- all this completes the cycle of events here and abroad in which Roxane- a very gentle heroine- is an appealing figure. There's a certain leisure- and luxuriance as well.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lippincott

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1955

Categories: FICTION