A Good Year
by Peter Mayle
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 491)
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 June, 2008
recommends it for:
Peter Mayle fans and Francophiles
More great writing by Peter Mayle! This is the first novel of his that I have read, and I liked it just as much as I like his "nonfiction" stuff. I saw the movie before I realized it was based on one of Mayle's books, and I really liked it too, but I like the book for different reasons. It is about a young(ish) man that inherits a small vineyard in Provence. He couldn't have inherited it at a better time, and he soon starts to think that living quietly and making wine is exactly what h...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
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
people who read one book a year, people who read bestsellers because they're bestsellers
What a stinker. Mayle abandons his appealing Provence anecdotes and relaxed style in favour of a Novel Writing 101 submission. We get flat, stereotypical characters who predictably pair off around a yawnfest of a "mystery" plot with a dull twist ending.
Mayle claims he was pressured to write it by his pal Ridley Scott. Scott then turned it into a movie (no doubt adding terrible acting and a sentimental score to the book's crimes against sensibility) which - the universe ri...more
Mayle claims he was pressured to write it by his pal Ridley Scott. Scott then turned it into a movie (no doubt adding terrible acting and a sentimental score to the book's crimes against sensibility) which - the universe ri...more
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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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i'm embarassed to say that i read this book. i've been a fan of peter mayle for a while - he's a guilty pleasure of mine. i finished this book in about 3 hours. this is not my way of boasting at my insanely fast reading skills, but rather a commentary on the book itself: it was so incredibly easy to read that i breezed through it in a single afternoon. that being said, it was a very pleasant three hours, greatly enhanced by the margarita and blazing sunlight. the movie is another guilty pleasure...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 November, 2006
"I enjoyed this book but I have to confess I enjoyed the movie more. Why? Hmmm... I'm not sure but I think because I could actually see the French countryside. I do admit that after seeing the movie I expected the book to be a little more intricate and maybe that's why I give it only 3 stars. But I feel most people would enjoy it if they aren't expecting anything that has a lot of depth-just a cute story. It is a nice easy, fun read and I would not have any problems recommending it to the r...more
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Read in August, 2008
This was some great vino lit. The descriptions of french food and thick, full-bodied red wines were great. The characters are lively and have lots of spunk, except for Fanny, who was much more interesting in the movie. Kudos to the way the author characterized Max's relationship with various people, especially his comical and strong bond with Charlie.
So, I'd say, if you like wines, and very minor fables of mystery splashed in with a bit of laughter, read this book.
Bon Apetite and Sa...more
So, I'd say, if you like wines, and very minor fables of mystery splashed in with a bit of laughter, read this book.
Bon Apetite and Sa...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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This is a good book to take along on a plane ride or a relaxing vacation or to just read in a quiet spot with a glass of wine nearby.
Max lives in London, England and has little time or interest for anything other than his work. When his career in the financial world starts to unravel, he decides to finally go to Provence to check out the vineyard that his uncle left him. If you like wine and the romance of Provence you will defintely like this.
Max lives in London, England and has little time or interest for anything other than his work. When his career in the financial world starts to unravel, he decides to finally go to Provence to check out the vineyard that his uncle left him. If you like wine and the romance of Provence you will defintely like this.
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I am quickly becoming a big Peter Mayle fan. His books are easy to read and perfect for keeping your dreamy head in the clouds. I have found that when I read them outside, or in the presence of sun I am far too weak to dismiss my desire to live in the French countryside forever. I did see the film with Russell Crowe after reading this book, and it was beautifully shot in respect to Mayle's vivid description. Lovely and romantic.
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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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Put on your swimsuit, slather up with sunscreen, and don't forget the headphones! The AUDIO version of A Good Year is the perfect beach companion. Light, amusing, well performed, and tres francais! Just the thing for relaxing on your sand chair. You might want to bring some wine as well, as these characters do all but swim in it! Not as good as A Year in Provence, but fun anyway.
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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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Read in June, 2008
This book was unexpectedly enjoyable. I tend to shy away from contemporary fiction, but I enjoyed the old world setting and the truly relatable characters. Also, I find a genuine appreciation for any author who can give you a complete picture of a personality just by describing a wristwatch: " a bulky watch designed for deep-sea divers obsessed with punctuality..."
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