Rating: 
Summary: Wings of Desire
Review: I loved The Vintner's Luck. A truly rich and evocative tale of wine and unorthodox love, Elizabeth Knox's book spins its web over several years, begining with frustrated love and then coming full circle. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that they are part of a decadent and complicated love affair, or that just want to read a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't usually like these kinds of books but gave it a chance
Review: I don't usually care for these kinds of books, but read so much about the author that I thought I'd give it a chance; I was pleasantly surprised. I'm hoping Ms. Knox writes another novel soon. Her style is quite refreshing.
Rating:
Summary: Evocative, Thought Provoking Literature
Review: About two-thirds of the way through the book, Xas declares that "Complete symmetry is an insult to God." It is at this point that the reader realizes that many of the key elements in the book have been marked by cases of symmetry. From the two murders committed by a key character in the book to the results of the relationship once Sobran takes a male lover as a complement to his wife, the evil that is manifested in the book is caused by "complete symmetry." On the other hand, "incomplete symmetry" brings much of the "good" portrayed in the book. For instance, Aurora loses one breast to cancer, and lives. Also, the characters regain their luck once Sobran takes a second lover to complement the relationships he has with his wife and his male lover. So, what is the author trying to say? Is she saying that only God can be perfect, and therefore He tolerates no attempt by any lesser being to achieve perfection? If that's so, then is God purposely inciting chaos in order to keep humans from attaining symmetry? And finally, is she saying that for humans to strive to attain what is the province of the divine is pointless because God will never give up that feature that defines Him? As always, there is a danger of reading too much into a book. But, the fact that this book can spark such introspection and debate makes it stand out among the countless other collections of words filling the bookstores. Even if these qualities are not appealing, The Vintner's Luck offers many other charms. The characters are solidly written and the dialogue is superb. It is our luck that The Vintner's Luck has come along. It makes us realize that literature of this caliber still has a place on all of our bookshelves.
Rating:
Summary: Imaginative. Very different.
Review: There were times when I really enjoyed this book and other times I was very frustrated, wondering what the author was saying or where she was going. One whole chapter had no meaning or relevance to the story what-so-ever!! Still, I was captivated from the start by the plot. Also, I found her writing very lyrical and beautiful at times. One to read in a book club and discuss.
Rating:
Summary: What a lovely piece of writing.
Review: I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book...or how much trouble I have explaining to my more literal friends how moving and involving it is. Although Xas is fascinating, it is Sobran and Aurora whom I find most appealing--in all their human foibles and affections and mortality. What surprised me most was how such a lyrical and gently erotic book could also, at times, be so genuinely funny. I still smile at the idea that God didn't actually create the world...He just sort of found it. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Rating:
Summary: Proud
Review: This type of writing makes me proud to be a New Zealander. (Although we have many awesome writers from here). This book haunted me (and still does). The intense love between Xas and Sobran was very surprising and almost subversive. I love it when authors give alternative views of the way the world is, heaven, earth and hell. It is refreshing that we are not all stuck in a dichotomous rut. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: A Divine Recounting of Love and Eternity
Review: A sinewy angel with pale skin and human-like desires, God, Lucifer, a beautiful madwoman, an unbelievably real and sympathetic Vintner, a literate and intellectual woman/lover, and other beautifully, whimsically realized characters all interact with one another in a lyrical, exquisite novel about love, life, heaven-and-hell, good-and-evil, morality, aging and death. It has been a very very long time since I have actually enjoyed something so utterly and not been disappointed by the ending. The rhythm and sound of Konx's language is so divine that you want to read this aloud like a good poem.
Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable and Satisfying Read
Review: I always know when I've read a really good book. I am unable to pick up another for several days for I'm still inhabiting the world of that book. The Vintner's Luck definitely fits this catergory. This book was given to me by a friend who described it as a "light read". I disagree with this verdict, for while it wasn't a heavy read it gave me plenty to think about...the nature of God and Religion and the notions of heaven and hell, the aging process, and different forms of love. I liked the balance of the mystical (eg the meetings with Xas), the unusual (eg descriptions of French village life and wine production in the C19th), with that of the more mundane (eg everyday family life). All in all this is a beautifully written book
Rating:
Summary: It will stay with you forever!
Review: I had heard that it was good, and it just occurs to me several days after reading what an effect The Vintner's Luck has had on me. I have to be honest, I'm skeptical of books that claim to be both literary and commercial at once. Somehow they always fall short on one side or the other. Not here! And the angel thing--get over it. It's not any angel you've ever imagined or seen. I guess the fact that its set in the 1800's released this masterpiece from the "new age" tag. Speaking of, I thought I hated period pieces.... My advice, just read the book. I'm impressed that these other reviewers are able to compose their thoughts so profoundly. I am in such awe I can barely form a sentence...
Rating: 
Summary: Ingenious story of an angel who craves love
Review: The end of this decade and the approach of the new century has given rise to an explosion of angel stories, novels and TV series. Elizabeth Knox's novel chooses to take us back in time rather than place yet another angel in 20th century in a remarkable and imaginative (at last) vision of a friendship and love between human and 'superhuman.' The 19th century pastiche-like prose takes a while to get used to, but the characters and their interactions are the real hook and what keep the pages turning. Xas, the fallen angel, is one of the more original creations I've come across. At last angel who isn't goofily adorable or full of God's piety come down to Earth to preach to humans: 'Please love each other.' In fact, Xas, as it turns out, wants a little of that human love for himself and it comes at a terrible price. Dreamy and erotic at times, The Vintner's Luck is a novel of daring, irreverence and wonder. And you learn a bit about wine and winemaking while reading.
|
