Following her father's death at the start of this spirited novel by Kafka (True North
), San Francisco chef Miranda Perry returns with her six-year-old son, Ruben, to Perry Hill, her family's vineyard in Oregon wine country, where she is almost immediately faced with a life-altering decision. Pressured by her father's loyal colleagues (who are like family to her), she must decide whether to give up the possibility of starting her own restaurant in San Francisco and move back to Oregon permanently. Meanwhile, she is horrified to learn that her best friend, Bridie, a sled-dog racer, has been helicoptered off the Iditarod course in Alaska with severe injuries. Bridie sinks deeper and deeper into depression after the accident, and Miranda insists on bringing her back to Perry Hill. Meanwhile, she takes in a recently orphaned 12-year-old girl named Estrella, hearing the echoes of her late husband's motto, "Thou shalt not stand idly by." With her San Francisco job in jeopardy and new obligations to consider, Miranda's decision to stay or go becomes more pressing. Enter BevCorp, the Goliath of beverage corporations, intent on picking off small independent vineyards in the area. As mysterious criticisms of Perry Hill and neighboring Ruby Throat appear in the press, Miranda teams up with the staff to save the reputation of the vineyard and her father, eventually realizing that she is just as dependent on her family and friends as they are on her. The characters' voices (particularly those of vineyard workers for whom English is a second language) are inconsistent, but Kafka describes the landscapes of Oregon and Alaska with great warmth and authority. Readers who like to cheer on the underdog will relish this tale of grit and determination in the face of daunting circumstances. (Feb. 9)
Forecast:
Expect sales to be strongest in the Pacific Northwest—Kafka's treatment of local issues will resonate with area residents.
