The Wine Lover's Daughter : Book Review



Title: The Wine Lover's Daughter
Author: Anne Fadiman
Genre: Memoir/Biography

This book, which was another recommendation by my Professor, turned out to be a perfect read  for Father's day today. 

The Wine Lover's daughter chronicles essayist Anne Fadiman's relationship with her father Clifton Fadiman who was editor in chief of Simon and Schuster and also a wine connoisseur. 

She talks about his journey from humble beginnings to a renowned literary critic. He was an unorthodox jew who defied religious beliefs showcasing his rather unconventional and rebellious streak. Being an ardent wine lover,  he always encouraged her to develop a taste for the same. Despite trying several times, Anne finally accepted that she could never love wine the way her dad did. She narrates about her father's 80th birthday celebrations with a wine as old as him, his bouts of mild depression, his illnesses and rising from the ashes like a phoenix.   

In this endearing tribute to her dad, Anne manages to embrace their similarities as well as differences. There lies a subtle disappointment within her for being unable to live up to the expectations of a wine lover's daughter. While it's slated as a memoir, the entire book reads more as a biography of Clifton Fadiman. Clearly a lot of research has gone into penning down this title  Besides showcasing the father-daughter relationship, wine seems to be the central theme of the book. A book that will delight wine lovers while the non wine lovers are bound to empathise with Anne's indifference to it. The book also imparts lessons of acceptance and individuality.

Overall an interesting read that is bound to trigger some good conversations over a glass of wine, probably Red Bordeaux. 

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