A Good Year

By: Peter Mayle

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

From Peter Mayle, a wonderful new novel steeped in wine - and the business of wine - and set in, bien sûr, Provence.

Max Skinner is not exactly setting the London financial world on fire - and when his supervisor steals his biggest client, it’s definitely time to inspect the vineyard in Provence that his recently departed uncle left him. Heartily and happily distracted upon his arrival by the landscape, the weather, and the food - not to mention the gorgeous notaire handling the estate and the stunning owner of the local bistro - Max almost forgets about his inherited property.

Which might have been a good idea, because the wine produced there is swill. But then why, Max has to wonder, is his caretaker so anxious to acquire the land? When a beautiful young woman from California arrives with what might be a legitimate claim on the estate, and knowledge of vineyards that far outstrips Max’s own, the plot begins its twists and turns into and out of truly wonderful complications and resolutions.

This is luscious listening - soothing us with the sensual wonders of Provence while it tells a fascinating tale of the hugely lucrative and competitive boutique-wine trade. It is Peter Mayle’s most satisfying, most delectable novel yet.

©2004 Peter Mayle (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Happily snide (and knowledgeable) [with] wicked turns of phrase." (Chicago Sun-Times) "Mayle makes Provence sound like the most enticing place this side of paradise. Reservations anyone?" (People)

The Movie was better

I liked the movie, so I bought the book - it’s not the same. Very disappointed.

Fun Read, Movie is Better

We loved the movie and watch it on a regular basis. It so happens the producer of the film starring Russell Crowe is from my hometown of Greensboro. I understand the movie failed miserably, yet it remains one of my wife and my favorite films. The characters, the ambience of the French estate, the haunting childhood memories, beautiful cinematography and the humor draws us in everytime.

So I am not surprised the book is different, but this is one case where hollywood made the story better. Having listened to the story with such high expectations I can only give it 3 stars. I readily admit my prejudice. Still its a wonderful story and certainly worthy of your time.

An excellent listen!

This is a very well written book that's resulted in an excellent audiobook. The story is so well constructed and the details so well described that you become a part of it. The reader also does a great job.

Although not necessary, if you enjoy wine you'll find this story much more enjoyable. It centers around an inherited winery and some strange happenings.

A Read to Accompany a glass of wine.

A bit slow but fun and worth it if you love wine. An interesting story.

My first Mayle

My wife suggested I read this book so I did. It was an enjoyable listen. What I enjoyed most was listening about small town life, it could have been anywhere, this happened to be in France. Living in the city, dropping out and living a life like this is attractive. Not being a French speaker most of the French in the book went over my head but I still felt I knew what was going on. It protrayed the French in a friendly light, not something you always get. The wine perspective was interesting. I think mostly for me, I grew up in a small town myself, I understand all that goes with that and this book brought some of that out. It made me think a trip to Provence at some point might be quite fun!

Excellent!

Fantastically entertaining. Much more involved than the movie which was also fantastically entertaining. Highly recommend both!

Good Story, Great listen

Would you consider the audio edition of A Good Year to be better than the print version?

Yes, definitely

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Good Year?

When the main character meets his cousin.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where the author describes the dinner with the next door neighbors

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this over my Christmas break, it took about 2 days. Then I watched the movie. The audible book was better.

Sexist garbage

Great performance of disappointing, sexist garbage. So sad to discover after enjoying A Year in Provence.

This book is better narrated by Tim Piggot-Smith!

>What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?<
Another narrator!

>What other book might you compare A Good Year to and why?<
All of Peter Mayle's novels ~~ I wish Audible would acquire rights to Hotel Pastis, Anything Considered, Chasing Cézanne. They all have chapters that give the listener an image of being in Provence.
I like Peter Mayle's earlier fiction books and would love to listen to, them, too.

Please, as narrators, consider David Rintoul, Anton Lesser, Roger Allam instead!
They are all actors and have an ear for how to pronounce French, even if the character speaks "Frenglish / Franglais". ;-)

The narration is extraordinarily horrendous

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Another narrator !!

What other book might you compare A Good Year to and why?

All of Peter Mayle's novels ~~ wish Audible would acquire rights to Hotel Pastis (sp. ?)

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Lee?

Stephen Weber, Eric Conger, James Daniels, Jonathan Davis, Paul Michael ~~ almost any other with the exception of Dick Hill who is so awful I refuse to purchase any audio read by him ~~ but that complaint is not relevant to this review.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No.

Any additional comments?

I have read all of Peter Mayle's wonderful books and especially enjoyed them, so it was exciting to see this one listed among Audible's collection ~~ did not have a credit available, but purchased it anyway as the story should have made a delightful listening experience ~~ a poor judgment call to waste the money !!!!