A Bottle of Plonk

by Jacquelynn Luben

When Julie Stanton moves in with Richard Webb one Saturday night in May, she doesn't expect their romantic evening together to end with her walking out of the flat, clutching the bottle of plonk (cheap wine) she had hoped they would drink to toast their new relationship. But then Julie and the bottle of plonk part company, setting the stage for a series of new stories that end with the passing of the bottle. Before journey's end, you will get an intoxicating glimpse into the lives and loves of 13 compelling heroines who never quite manage to pop the cork.

196 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2005

About the author

Jacquelynn Luben lives in England, in the house which she and her husband built, in a pretty village in rural Surrey, which she describes in her autobiography, The Fruit of the Tree. Her son and daughter have now fled the nest. She is the author of two non-fiction books, many short stories, articles, poetry and two novels and a children's book, published 2017.

She has written for various magazines, and also gives occasional talks to Surrey groups on self-publishing and publicity. Her story, Damaged Goods, was broadcast on Radio Southern Counties and is now, despite being extremely short, a popular ebook, published by www.untreedreads.com, who have published a number of her stories on line. Many of her other short stories have met with success - at the Guildford Book Festival, locally - and at competitions throughout the UK.

Jacquelynn’s first longer work of fiction, A Bottle of Plonk was published in the UK by Goldenford Publishers, and is now available as an e-book, as is her novel, Tainted Tree. This was placed second in the Winchester Writers' Conference novel competition, 2007, prior to publication by Goldenford Publishers, and was featured in Family Tree Magazine in December 2009.

For her degree in 2002, she wrote a dissertation on 'Harry Potter and other children's books', and subsequently brought out What Grandpa did next, for children of around 4 - 6. This is beautifully illustrated by Silvia Cabello. Jacquelynn is currently working on a sequel to her third novel, Innocent Bystanders - a crime story, which has received excellent reviews.

She was invited to give readings of her books in Germany, in June 2009, and has also given talks in libraries and to reading groups and writers' groups in Surrey.

Reviews

[Lynette Sofras · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever and intriguing little story which allows us to glimpse into the disparate though curiously interlinked lives of a number of fascinating people as we follow the journey of a humble bottle of plonk which no one really seems to want. The insights into these seemingly ordinary people provide an interesting social commentary of the late 80s and how the life and times affected each character.

Whilst I did not actually consider this novel to be ‘un-putdown-able’, I will confess I really did sit and read it in one afternoon – and with great enjoyment. I was quickly drawn into the lives of the different people ‘touched’ by the bottle, every one of whom would make an interesting subject for a longer story. The observations about them are astute and their situations often quite poignant.

Jacquelynn Luben spins a very readable tale which holds interest throughout. I was particularly pleased with the ending; even though it was just what I expected, it was nonetheless very satisfying. An engrossing read which I would certainly recommend. A pity I have to choose between four and five stars, as (being a bit of a rebel) I would like to give this 4.5*! Well done Ms Luben.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a number of relationships, some more successful than others. A bottle of wine left over from a celebratory meal is passed on from one couple or group to the next as they visit one another. It goes to intimate dinners, parties and even a tombola. The story is set in the 1980s so there are discussions and arguments about the role of men and women both in society and in partnerships which would probably not occur today. It's a short novel and an easy read and I enjoyed the way the bottle linked the various lives. I wonder what would have happened to the story if it had come to me (I'd have opened it!) It was nice that the wine eventually returned to sender and completed the story.

The writing, as with the other work I have read by this author, is simple, classy and stylish. Jacquelynn Luben has a very readable style and this book certainly gave me an enjoyable evening.

[Maureen Vincent-Northam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1980s, this is an enjoyable story and a great idea. It begins with Julie and Richard sharing a romantic dinner. All is well until his mother turns up and the bottle of wine they were about to share remains untouched. The bottle gets passed on to different characters in each chapter and on its journey, we visit the lives of these people – all connected in some way – and hear their stories played out.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really good. Intertwining different characters each chapter though it was all connected. Was a bit dubious as I have read a previous novel about a bottle of wine and did not enjoy it. Read this to see if it was different and was pleasantly surprised.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a very unusual and clever style - little slices of life that all come together to make a story.

[Jay-me (Janet) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle edition not paperback

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever idea following a bottle of wine through it's travels with different folk