Mario's Vineyard

by Michael Legat

Frustrated with his father’s strict control and hankering after freedom, Mario Gilardone could see no way of ever leaving his home in northern Italy. But that was before the ‘phylloxera’ disease struck, devastating the family’s prosperous vineyards. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to leave his country, and the girl he loved, and set sail for America to set up his own vineyard in the sunny, fertile soils of California. Like so many others in the great nineteenth-century exodus from Europe, Mario arrived to a hostile New York hungry and penniless. He was soon to learn the harsh realities of a foreign land, but his pride and fierce ambition kept the dream of Mario’s Vineyard alive. He would succeed no matter what.

Paperback

First published February 1, 1983

About the author

Michael Legat was born on 24 March 1923 in London, England, UK. He began writing at a very early age. He devoted his career to publishing and also wrote a book for authors. After a long and successful career as Editorial Director of Corgi Books and later of Cassell during 35 years, in 1978 he decided to leave the trade and take up writing full time. In 1980 his first novel, Mario's Vineyard was published and this was followed by a series of other novels and highly-acclaimed how-to books for writers, that its sales currently stand at over 200,000 copies.

Michael Legat remaid heavily involved in the publishing industry, has served on various committees, was the president of two writers' circles and was a associate vice-presidents of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Michael passed away on 15 August 2011 in Sussex, England.

Reviews

[Jeanette Vahlenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysig levnadshistora om en vinodlare i Napa valley från Italien.