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A Good Year Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,212 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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 reading?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.
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"Mayle's fiction is just as great as his non-fiction travel essays and memoirs. Ben Chaplin did a great job at narrating this audio version of the book. I really think he would have been a better canidate for the role of Max instead of Russell Crowe in the movie adaptation. "
— Eve (4 out of 5 stars)
A Good Year Listener Reviews
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" Great book. If you like travel stories, all things French and wine, def consider this page-turner. "
— Ladypirouette, 2/15/2014 -
" Want to move into this chateau. "
— Kimberly, 2/11/2014 -
" Refreshing easy read. I was hooked till the end. A must read. Peter Mayle has a knack for describing vividly the most subtle and easily-missed-if-you're-in-a-hurry detail. "
— Steena, 2/9/2014 -
" I enjoyed it. Absolutely nothing like the book apart from the character names & setting. "
— Mimi, 2/6/2014 -
" Cute summer read ... definitely makes me want to have a rich uncle leave me a large home on land planted with vineyards in his will. Of course, guess I didn't need to read this book to want that! "
— Donna, 1/22/2014 -
" This book was so much better than the movie. I wouldn't run out to get this book, but it was very easy reading about a life that so many wish they could lead. If you're looking for a great beach read to drift off into your own world, go for this one. "
— Zel, 1/18/2014 -
" Unconvincing book about wine, the south of France, and a mid-life crisis. Maybe a good year for wine - not so for Mayle. "
— Christine, 1/11/2014 -
" I've probably seen the movie too many times to fully enjoy the book for what it is. I'd probably give it a 3 1/2 if I could. I just love the imagery of the food, the wine, the sunshine and the scenery. "
— Kim, 1/10/2014 -
" great novel. my review of the novel is on my phone :p "
— Kelann, 1/10/2014 -
" Not nearly as good as "A Year in Provence." But nice light reading, great for summer vacation. "
— Sherry, 12/30/2013 -
" If you love the South of France like I do, it's worth reading simply to take in the scenery. Otherwise, the story isn't super complex but entertaining and light. "
— Sonia, 12/7/2013 -
" European charm, perfect sence of humor. "
— Elena, 11/14/2013 -
" Loved this book. Just a fun read, nothing serious or deep. I didn't like the movied at all. "
— Maggie, 11/9/2013 -
" Peter Mayle is not good story teller. "
— Thing, 10/29/2013 -
" A good yarn, nut the ending didn't work for me. "
— Tom, 4/27/2013 -
" Decent, like the movie...a lil confusing, but sunny nonetheless. "
— Adrian, 12/17/2012 -
" I got halfway through this book, then felt like I had read it already. After further thought, I checked my Netflix list and realized I watched the movie based on this book almost exactly 4 years ago. I wasn't crazy about the movie, and now I'm not interested in finishing the book. "
— Jen, 11/25/2012 -
" Entertaining travel, food and wine book. "
— Judy, 8/5/2012 -
" The only problem with this book is that I am reminded that I do not live in the south of France, drinking wine and eating fabulous food! "
— Gina, 6/29/2012 -
" I little on the fluffy side, but great fiction. "
— AnnM, 5/1/2012 -
" Loved this book! So relaxing & idyllic! Didn't want it to finish! "
— Susan, 4/17/2012 -
" Fun read after just returning from Provence. "
— Sheryl, 1/22/2012 -
" Okay book. Read because I wanted to read it before watching the movie. Both were average. "
— Andrea, 9/17/2011 -
" Perfectly enjoyable, quick read. The ending was a little boring. "
— Erin, 9/6/2011 -
" One of the few examples where I preferred the story in the movie. "
— Karina, 7/4/2011 -
" Kind of a fun read, but very light and not very developed in character or plot. "
— Jennifer, 5/10/2011 -
" Peter Mayle is charming. Also Rread Chasing Cezanne. When you are finished the next best thing to traveling to France is find a French cafe/restaurant of bistro. Have fun. "
— Susan, 5/7/2011 -
" Actually,this is one of my favorite Mayle novels. I prefer his nonfiction but will take what I can get. So much better than the film (which I enjoyed). "
— Jim, 5/1/2011 -
" The only problem with this book is that I am reminded that I do not live in the south of France, drinking wine and eating fabulous food! "
— Gina, 4/18/2011 -
" it was alright. I love reading books that are made into movies. "
— Mandy, 3/21/2011 -
" Another winner. Every page, no... every paragraph, no... every sentence is a hook. "
— Janie, 3/8/2011 -
" A pleasant, easy and enjoyabe read - featuring my other favourite things in life - wine and coffee. "
— Neen, 2/19/2011 -
" As the short read time might already indicate, I really loved this book. A fantastic piece of well-written escapism fantasy for those of us who occasionally just enjoy a good read without too much pretension. I'd recommend this to pretty much anyone. "
— Sasha, 2/5/2011 -
" Read in a day on holiday. Enjoyable if predictable.<br/> "
— Sarah, 1/27/2011 -
" Loved this book. Just a fun read, nothing serious or deep. I didn't like the movied at all. "
— Maggie, 1/23/2011
About Peter Mayle
Peter Mayle (1939–2018), British-born author of several novels and books of nonfiction, spent fifteen years in the advertising business before escaping in 1975 to write books, including several New York Times bestsellers. The British Books Awards named him author of the year in 1992, and he was a recipient of the Légion d’Honneur award from the French government for his cultural contributions. His work has been translated into seventeen languages, and he has contributed to a variety of newspapers and magazines. His A Year in Provence was produced as a television series starring John Thaw and screened in 1993. The novel A Good Year was the basis for the 2006 film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott and starring actors Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.
About John Lee
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.