A Good Year (MTI)
by Peter Mayle
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
People who haven't seen the movie
Here's something you don't often hear said by readers: The movie was much better than the book.
I'm afraid in this case it's absolutely true. And the movie - which received lukewarm reviews - wasn't just more entertaining; it was more complicated, more sophisticated, and dare I say, more literary than the book.
About the only thing the screenplay kept from the book were the characters' names and the French vineyard. Sure, there were a number of other bit players who remained the s...more
I'm afraid in this case it's absolutely true. And the movie - which received lukewarm reviews - wasn't just more entertaining; it was more complicated, more sophisticated, and dare I say, more literary than the book.
About the only thing the screenplay kept from the book were the characters' names and the French vineyard. Sure, there were a number of other bit players who remained the s...more
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
lovers of Mayle, Provence, wine, romance, or the French
Started: Feb 2/07
Finished: Feb 4/07
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I loved Mayle's "A Year in Provence" and its follow-ups, but this is the first of his novels that I've read. As People magazine says, "Mayle makes Provence sound like the most enticing place this side of paradise." - "A Year in Provence" made me want to visit, and this novel made me want to go back.
A good story, that is being made into a film by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. Might have to see that one, when ...more
Finished: Feb 4/07
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I loved Mayle's "A Year in Provence" and its follow-ups, but this is the first of his novels that I've read. As People magazine says, "Mayle makes Provence sound like the most enticing place this side of paradise." - "A Year in Provence" made me want to visit, and this novel made me want to go back.
A good story, that is being made into a film by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. Might have to see that one, when ...more
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Read in March, 2008
Ok, well i should probably state that I only began to read this book because I saw the movie and I really liked it. I haven't gotten very far and it's in it's descriptive beginning stage still, so it's kind of slow, but overall still good.
It is about a man named Max who inherits his uncle's vineyard in Provence, France. What will happen? You're guess is as good as mine... except I've watched the movie so I might have just an little bit more of an idea than you do...
Ok, so I finished the b...more
It is about a man named Max who inherits his uncle's vineyard in Provence, France. What will happen? You're guess is as good as mine... except I've watched the movie so I might have just an little bit more of an idea than you do...
Ok, so I finished the b...more
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7 comments
recommends it for:
Michelle
Admitedly, I only recognized this book from the cover, with the movie version's Russel Crowe on the front. I started reading this during a week of warm, sunny weather, and even read a chapter outside on my balcony with a glass of red wine...it was my desperate attempt feel like I was in the south of France with Max. It was more than just a simple story about a man who inherits a seemingly run-down vineyard; i'm inspired to revive my love of French culture and language. Not to mention my goal ...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
a 7th grader
disappointing after all the good things i'd heard. the positive reviews printed on the jacket are inexplicable to me. the story and characters are simplistic, predictable, and shallow. even the setting (which i think did the main sell of this novel) wasn't fleshed out - merely suggested, and even for the heft of the book i expected more.
HOWEVER, i'm going to try another Mayle just to make sure. besides which, it's a quick, easy read, and perfect for a distracting place you need diversi...more
HOWEVER, i'm going to try another Mayle just to make sure. besides which, it's a quick, easy read, and perfect for a distracting place you need diversi...more
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Read in August, 2006
I read this because I found out there was a Russell Crowe/Ridley Scott movie based on it coming this fall. I had not read any Peter Mayle before and I don't think I'll read him again. He's fine and somewhat entertaining but not my cup of tea. The translation was good, the characters interesting in a fluffy kinda way. I have no idea how Crowe will play Max. Book!Max is nice even if he had a shark's job and is somewhat laid back. Not a book I would read again or an author I would read again but I ...more
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Read in September, 2007
This book was the first that I have read by this author. I found it a little light, but enjoyable. As I didn't get a vacation this summer the sumptuous descriptions of southern France really appealed to me. It has a plot that mingles a little mystery with some innocent romance and a healthy portion of "change your life for the better" stuff. Overall, it was an uplifting, easy read that I would recommend to anyone that is looking for something to fill some time.
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Huge wine enthusiasts who don't care if a book has a good plot.
This started out very promising when the main character lost his job and found out he'd inherited a wine chateau in Provence. Once he got to the chateau, everything ground to a halt amidst too many descriptions of food and so many semi-important characters that there was no way to develop any of them enough so that I could actually care about one of them. I was glad to finish it. I may not even rent the DVD now.
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Read in May, 2007
I really like Peter Mayle's books, which are about Provence, France. This one was made into a movie with Russell Crow. It's about a man who is fed up with life in the city. He inherits a chateau and vineyard from his uncle in France, and goes to set up there. He discovers that his wine is being sold for outrageous price, illegally. I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to see the movie.
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone looking for a quick fun travel read
This book was fun if you like a little mystery, a little Provence, a little French food, a little male chauvenism and want something fun and quick to read. It's not entirely like the movie, though--I saw the movie after I read the book and was disappointed. I have read a few of his other fictions also, and they're all similar but a little bit different, but as I say, fun.
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
a foodie or a Francophile.
Not one of my favorite books by Peter Mayle. I found the plot to be a bit simplistic and the ending to be a bit too abrupt and uneventful.
I definitely enjoyed Peter Mayle's memoirs much more than A Good Year.
I haven't seen the movie adaption of this book, but it's on my Netflix que. I'm not sure whether or not to leave the movie on my que after reading the book.
I definitely enjoyed Peter Mayle's memoirs much more than A Good Year.
I haven't seen the movie adaption of this book, but it's on my Netflix que. I'm not sure whether or not to leave the movie on my que after reading the book.
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I don't know that this book even warrants a review, but here we go anyway. Distraught main character tells "the man" to shove it, right about then old uncle something-or-other just happens to leave him his chateau in the French countryside, it happens to have a vineyard, etc. Blech. No real tension, no real drama, not interesting...don't waste your time.
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Read in November, 2007
A novel about a British man who inherits a house and vineyards in France. I liked it! I'd also like to share that I read the book before the I saw the movie, and now I hate the movie. I think it's worse than most films based on books. For once, I would just like to see something on the screen the way it was in the book! O.k., off my soapbox, now.
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I read A Good Year a good couple years before I knew it was going to made into a movie starring Russel Crowe.
This is essentially a story of an unhappy english fellow who leaves his executive job to move to his inherited wine estate in the South of France. There, he finds happiness and love amidst a scandal. Yep, thats it. I gave it away...
This is essentially a story of an unhappy english fellow who leaves his executive job to move to his inherited wine estate in the South of France. There, he finds happiness and love amidst a scandal. Yep, thats it. I gave it away...
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Read in November, 2007
I read this book traveling and couldn’t put it down. The book is fast and fun and worth it if you are looking for a bit of romance and a few smiles. This is nothing that is particularly educational or deep, but it gave me plenty of happiness and a lightness of heart that I haven’t found in a book for a while.
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Read in July, 2007
As I wandered through the fiction section at my public library I found this novel by Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence. This story about a London financier who gives up his career to run an inherited vineyard in the south of France is pleasant and amusing. I plan to read more of Peter Mayle's fiction.
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Read in August, 2007
If you like wine and stories about the European countryside, this is a fun book to read. It's almost like a fairy tale because you know it's going to end happily so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. It made me want to run off to the south of France and make wine. If only I could inherit a chateau!
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Read in March, 2008
Shame on you Peter Mayle for writing such a bad book! Has the sunshine in Provence fried your brain? An 8th grader could have put together a better story line. Your characters were so shallow -- I didn't like any of them. Go count your money from "A Year in Provence" and save us from more of this drivel.
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Read in June, 2005
j and I listened to this book on tape one year when we were driving to DC, the readers voice makes this book. Although we probably would have enjoyed it in book form as well. If you need a good book to listen to while you drive, get this one. but be cautious in listening with kids in the car
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Brenna by:
airportrecommends it for: Elaine and Mom
Oh I just love this book, it is such a fun read! My Mom and I recently watched the film together, and that is a treat too. You feel like you are there in Provence with the lavendar, wine, people, and joie de vie. A great summer read or an easy way to mentally prepare for a trip to France.
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