Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

by George Victor Martin

Norwegian farm life in Wisconsin is depicted through the eyes of a sensitive and observant little girl named Selma.

Genres: Fiction

189 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1940

Reviews

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watched a bit of the movie recently on TCM. Then checked the library for the movie, which they did not own. Saw they had one copy of the original book, which I am now enjoying. ....Finished. The book had a quiet, heartfelt texture. I enjoyed living in that place and time, with those folks.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK-so this is less a review than it is a research project. I'd classify this book as a "gentle read" with some surprises. Most of the story unfolds through the thoughts and experiences of Selma, who is a sweet and happy nine-year-old girl growing up in the Norwegian farm country of Wisconsin. Nibbling around the edges of Selma's halcyon existence are real-life events like flooding, fires, abusive families, unwed pregnancy and horses who go crazy from eating marijuana. Selma takes it all in through observation and through bits and pieces overheard from adult conversations.

Favorite quote (Selma is talking to her younger cousin Arnold about their neighbor, Ingeborg Berg, who has just been married): "But God was awful good to her, though. God gave her a husband and a baby all on the same day. Some people have to wait for many, many years before He sends them a baby, and everybody said Ingeborg only had to wait a couple of hours."

I loved this book!

I'm still looking for an original publication date for this book. The edition I read--borrowed through interlibrary loan, it traveled all the way to Connecticut from the Tuscaloosa Public Library in Alabama--came out in 1940 with an introduction by Arnold Gingrich that says, "The few of us who read Our Vines Have Tender Grapes when it first came out tried, many times since and without avail, to get this neglected little classic back into active print."

From answers.com (about the film): "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes became the surprising victim of a lawsuit, filed in 1946 by original author George Victor Martin's former wife, Selma, who claimed that the film was based on her life and that its exhibition had caused her to suffer 'undue public attention, mental anguish, and humiliation.' The outcome of the suit, however, is not known." ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

[Aubrey Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming. The descriptions were poetic and real without being overly drawn out. Think Little House on the Prairie mixed with To Kill a Mockingbird. Definitely worth the read!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. This is an old book I discovered amongst my Mother's old books, it is a light enjoyable read taking place in the countryside of NY.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I've pretty much abandoned modern movies and now devote my limited screen time to the oldies (pre-1960s). Our Vines Have Tender Grapes is one I have most recently viewed. I liked it well enough to pursue the book, which is also good but I liked the movie a tad better (movie stays true to book except for 2 added scenes and an embellished romance). Selma and Ma's characters are softer in the movie and Editor seems less cynical than the book version. Plus, the end movie scene was more poignant than the book's ending. I did appreciate how author George Victor Martin captured the youthfulness of Selma's thoughts and actions. I often found myself wishing I was young again and seeing the world through fresh eyes like Selma and Arnold. I also like how Martin described the settings of Wisconsin and the Jacobson's farm.

This is an old-fashioned read about times different than today. I won't say they were better, because life was harsh then as it is now, just in different ways. But those times possessed a pure quality that has all but disappeared today. I hope reading these types of books and passing them on to our kids will inspire us to bring back that quality.

[Shannonigans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book as much as I love the film. I saw the movie before I even knew it was a book, but as soon as I knew, I found the book, ordered it, and devoured it in no time flat. I have to be honest, one of the main reasons I wanted to read the book was to find out what was the cause Ingeborg Jensen passing away. The actors truly brought the characters to life from the book. The sweetness, the simplicity, the humanity of that time period makes me some what envious of the characters. This is by far one of my favorite books and films. I would highly recommend not only the book, but the film as well!!

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really liked this book, it was short and sweet but to the point, selma was cute did not like her cousin arnold, he seemed like a brat, hated the cows died in the fire, but it made selma's dad see he had what he really wanted

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the movie but couldn't get into this book. Could be I loved the child star Margaret O'Brien!