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y separately published work icon The Villa Marini : A Novel single work   novel   historical fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 1997... 1997 The Villa Marini : A Novel
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

From Cuba to the sugar cane fields of North Queensland, Australia, came Mariano Grau - 'Big Cuba' - with dreams as immense as the wilderness before him. His silent young daughter, Marini, was at his side. Determined to start fresh in this untamed world and 'build an empire that will depend only on him,' Big Cuba shares his ambitions with his attentive child, hypnotizing her with almost mythical tales of his fettered past, his lost family home in Spain, and his mysterious and absent wife in Cuba. Upon his death, Big Cuba's aspirations are not fully realized, and the teenaged Marini inherits her father's modest plantation - and his incredible dreams. Compelling, enigmatic, and willful, Marini blossoms into a woman the Australian farmers cannot fathom. Battling prejudice, a loveless marriage, and Australia's harsh natural elements, Marini pours her energy into building the plantation and moulding a perfect life for her son. She single-handedly takes control and conquers a farm labourers' strike and then succeeds with a booming business and a spectacular 'magical house'. But tragically, when Marini begins a passionate affair with her husband's brother, the miracle begins to crumble. Marini learns too late that in the heart of self-willed creation lies the seed of destruction. (Source: Libraries Australia).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Moorebank, Liverpool area, Sydney Southwest, Sydney, New South Wales,: Black Swan , 1997 .
      Extent: 309p.
      ISBN: 0552997110 (pbk)
    • Hopewell, New Jersey,
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Ecco Press ,
      1997 .
      Extent: 309p.
      Edition info: 1st Ecco ed.
      ISBN: 0880015772 (hbk)
Language: Spanish
    • Barcelona,
      c
      Spain,
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Meteora ,
      2001 .
      Extent: 384p.
      ISBN: 8495623080

Other Formats

  • Also large print.

Works about this Work

An Interview with Gloria Montero Pedro Fernández Dorado (interviewer), 2010 single work interview
— Appears in: Coolabah , no. 4 2010; (p. 26-35)

'This is the transcription of an interview with Gloria Montero, recorded on May the 20th, 2008, at Gloria’s home in Barcelona.' (Introduction)

Migrant Tales Penelope Nelson , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 4 November vol. 116 no. 6096 1997; (p. 85)

— Review of Matilde Waltzing Elise Valmorbida , 1997 single work novel ; The Villa Marini : A Novel Gloria Montero , 1997 single work novel
Migrant Tales Penelope Nelson , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 4 November vol. 116 no. 6096 1997; (p. 85)

— Review of Matilde Waltzing Elise Valmorbida , 1997 single work novel ; The Villa Marini : A Novel Gloria Montero , 1997 single work novel
An Interview with Gloria Montero Pedro Fernández Dorado (interviewer), 2010 single work interview
— Appears in: Coolabah , no. 4 2010; (p. 26-35)

'This is the transcription of an interview with Gloria Montero, recorded on May the 20th, 2008, at Gloria’s home in Barcelona.' (Introduction)

Last amended 31 Jan 2014 11:14:46
Settings:
  • North Queensland, Queensland,
  • 1900s
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