The Winemaker by Noah Gordon

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The Winemaker. Noah Gordon. Open Road Integrated Media, LLC. September 2012. 342 pp. ISBN #: 9781453271094.

Josep Alvarez might be called a self-made man, but that appellation would be missing the essence of his visionary nature.  Initially, he is a young boy trying in any way he can to get employment for his family, suffering devastating poverty and famine as their wine-making business is failing.  Civil War is tearing Spain apart in the early days of the 20th century.

As a very young man, Josep tries out to be a soldier but he's not sure on which side he's being tested for.  A grim training officer is taking Josep and his few friends through a grueling program involving physical stamina, guts, sharp shooter skills, etc.  Finally, Josep and all of his friends are chosen to participate in a secret mission that will make Spain reel and even though only an observer will make Josep look over his shoulder for years and years to come!

Escaping to France, Josep becomes an employee of a wine-grower who teaches him the "art" of growing fine grapes and producing finer wine than any produced in Spain.  That apprenticeship ends when Josep learns of the death of his father and he returns to mourn the loss of his parents and confront a brother who has nothing but acts like rich prince!

To say more would spoil the essence of this wonderful story!  Suffice to say, the reader will work fields with Josep, woo a love, work to have restored trust by neighbors and even eventually respect, and so much more.  This is a lovely story that has plenty of conflict and struggle but that same tension seems to seamlessly weave its way through the story instead of being deliberately hammered on the reader as well as the characters.  Noah Gordon continues to demonstrate a versatility and diversity of subjects and characters in his fiction that is the mark of a truly great writer!  Any book by him, including this literate tale, is a must read!!!