A Good Year by Peter Mayle Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Good Year
Book Review: I Loved this book
Summary: 5 Stars
My first Peter Mayle book and I was hooked. I have ready almost all of the rest but enjoyed this the most. Another book that was a good combination of a love story from a man's point of view with humour, wit, a little spice and a great view of life in southern France. I think many men will be able to identify with the main character and the trials and tribunes he goes through in life. Few people live their dreams as this character did but this was written in such a way that everyone could see himself following this same path without stretching their imagination. too far.Book Review: Not the same story as the movie
Summary: 3 Stars
Like another reviewer here, I had seen the movie first and bought the book because I wanted the fuller, more developed story line. What I found was a completely different story. Other than the same character names, location, and the fact that Max's Uncle had died leaving him the house, the story is completely different. One reviewer here loved the line "Excuse my lips, etc." - guess what - he did not read the book, he saw the movie - this line is not in the book. Please do not expect the same story in the book as the movie.
That being said, I did find the book enjoyable. It is a good read - not quite up to Peter Mayle's previous efforts but fun. Without spoiling it for you, the ending left me a little disappointed. Like so many novels today, the author does not have an ending - they just stop without resolution of the plot lines. If you like Peter Mayle's other books, you will also like this one. If you have never read any of his books, Hotel Pastis is far superior - a beginning, a strong plot line, and a good ending. A Good Year only comes close to this superior novel.
Book Review: Overall it's fun, entertaining, breezy and `good', but this is one of the few times I welcomed the film adaptations liberties...
Summary: 3 Stars
One good thing about `A Good Year' is that it's a very easy, breezy read. I was able to plow through the entire novel in a weekend. It flows nice, it's far from complicated and it's just easily entertaining. That said, it's not what I expected and it left me a little bitter in some areas. I say this because what moved me to read this novel in the first place was the film starring Russell Crowe (of whom I'm a massive fan of) and when I saw how the characters and such differed so much from the films interpretation I was a bit put off. Maybe if I had read the novel first I would have enjoyed it a little more, but I couldn't help but think about how much more I enjoyed Russell Crowe's cocky and self-centered portrayal of Max Skinner over the books `every-man' approach.
But, this is a review of the book, not the movie, and like I said, the book is a delightful read full of fun characters and a beautiful atmosphere. Peter Mayle's writing style is simple and direct and makes the experience an easy one to swallow and one that is easily enjoyed. I will say, I learnt a lot about wine, and I thought I knew a lot already (my father is a huge wine connoisseur) and Mayle's descriptions of certain colors, flavors and all around perceptions of specific wines is entertaining to say the least.
The story consists of Max Skinner, a recently fired investment broker living in London with a slew of bills to pay and no money within reach with which to pay them (another stark contrast to the film). When he receives word that his Uncle Henry has died and has left him his home in France Max sees this as a possible escape, from life, from drama and most importantly, from debt. After being persuaded and or prodded along by his dearest friend Charlie he makes his way to France to lay claim to his new home, and what a beautiful home it is. For the first time in Max's life he's a home owner with land to boot and upon arriving not only is he greeted with the prospect of a successful winery (I say prospect...you'll understand) but he's also greeted by quite a few lovely ladies including Fanny, the beautiful owner of Max's new favorite restaurant as well as his notaire Nathalie Auzet.
That's all until another woman makes her way into the picture, a young Californian named Christie Roberts claiming to be the late Henry's daughter. If her claim is true it could mean that the property, the home and in essence Max's newfound life is really hers. He stands to lose everything he's grown accustomed to loving. Despite this, and here's another reference to the film adaptation, Max never seems to let it bother him too much. Just as an example, the dinner scene in the film with the Roussel's is much more entertaining than the one supplied here in the novel.
About two thirds into the book something I didn't expect to happen happened, Peter Mayle decides to throw in a bit of mystery. While the mystery itself isn't a drawback, it's still another reason why I prefer the movie over the novel. The mystery doesn't fit as nicely as it could have and comes off a bit pretentious. Despite all the differences, both the novel and the film are delightful experiences and I think any reader of the novel should see the film and visa-versa. Mayle isn't the most accomplished and or detailed writer, but he knows how to develop a breezy fun prose and delivers an entertaining experience regardless of which version (book or film) you prefer.
Book Review: Some Vivifying dialogue
Summary: 4 Stars
What other reviews of Peter Mayle's "A Good Year" neglect is that he comes up with some great lines. How about, "Forgive my lips; they find joy in the most unusual places." Now doesn't that sound like what (one's fantasy of) a French girl would say? There's also, "(I want) a bottle of wine that tastes like you; and a glass that's never empty." Hope I haven't ruined the book for you, but for me, I'd like to have thought either of those characters' confessions up, myself! Mayle challenges - no, he invites - us to do so, even if we haven't inherited a French chateau and vineyard. Enjoy the journey. I sure did.