Oprah really does a great job with her book picks, and Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay is no exception.
Ellen’s husband James lost his job, and instead of being proactive to find a new one, he moves them and their two children, Amy and Herbert, to his parents’ house in another state.
Wouldn’t be too terrible except that James’s dad is abusive both physically to James and verbally to everyone. And his mother is not nice at all to anyone in the family except for her beloved James, her baby who cannot do any wrong.
Ellen is miserable, the kids are miserable, seems like James’s parents aren’t too happy either, but James is perfectly content.
Will Ellen ever get up the courage to make some decisions on her own and make a change to better her family, with or without James?
This book is a more subtle read about family that, although it’s not some mind-blowing plot, kept me interested from page 1. Worth the read. But don’t take my word for it, Oprah did choose it a few years ago for her book club.
Are you a fan of Oprah’s book choices?
Thanks for reading,
I read this a lot of years ago, and I’m pretty sure I liked it–hard to remember much about it. Maybe I’ll re-read it this year.
I read it really quickly, so if it’s something you want to reread, I’m sure you’ll get through it quickly as well.
I’m reading Where the Heart Is right now, but I think I have read it before, like in high school, since it seems vaguely familiar. I’m just not sure!
I should just say ditto to Heather’s comment.
I know I read it, I know I liked it but I hardly remember anything about it 
Sometimes I feel that way, too. I think that because it’s a subtle read that is really great but has a smaller, less prominent type of storyline. It’s really a good book, but it’s not like you’re going to be all whoa, what a twisted story! It’s just much more subtle. I can’t explain it in another way.
I’m not a Ophra’s fan because I don’t watch the programme
Well, the book sounds interesting, the atmosphere in that house where the wife is not welcome and how to face it. Ohhh what a luck my boyfriend says I’m not in a relation with his family, only with him
(his mother is lovely, anyway!)
I don’t watch her either, but she has great taste in books.
Well, when you get married, you also end up marrying your in-laws!
NOOOOOOO
(yep!)
I almost always enjoy Oprah’s selections. I really really hated Map of the World by Jane Hamilton, but I think I was just really angry with the situation in the novel. I read The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton and thought it was fabulous. I decided I couldn’t hold a grudge anymore. That Oprah’s got good taste.
Oh no, I got that one recently (Map). I also haven’t read Book of Ruth, but I need to! I’ve just read bunch of her other picks, and she just has such amazing taste!
A lot of people like Map… But I just hated it and it made me want to throw things. Ruth, while tragic, just held my attention better and didn’t make me stabby. Who knows? I have issues.
It’s okay to disagree! I’ll let you know my thoughts once I read them both!
I haven’t read this selection but will have to check it out. I recently finished The Twelve Tribes of Hattie from Oprah’s 2.0 Book Club and it was beautifully written. I like that there is a great deal of substance to the books she selects.
Happy Reading!
Rebecca
I am actually very excited to read The Twelve Tribes! I think she does such a great job of choosing amazing books to read. There are VERY few I haven’t loved, and I’ve probably read at least half of the picks so far.
I love Oprah AND her books. I’m really looking forward to reading this one (as per your recommendation) and think I’ll enjoy it. It is very true – when you get married, you marry your inlaws, too!
I know, Isi just doesn’t seem to want to accept that fact!
I haven’t heard of this one. Oprah’s picks have been hit and miss for me. I do like some of them, but I tend to think that she chooses depressing books. So I certainly don’t read an Oprah book if I’m looking for something uplifting.
That’s true. I don’t mind reading depressing books, personally. But yes, she has a lot of family type of reads that have some sort of depressing, upsetting piece to them.
Pingback: January Mini-Reviews « Love at First Book
Pingback: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts – Book 72 « Love at First Book
Pingback: February Mini-Reviews | Love at First Book