Dobrý ročník

by Peter Mayle

Max Skinner má už po krk intrik londýnského finančního světa, a tak využije možnosti přestěhovat se do slunné Francie. Cožpak může být něco lepšího než život v Provenci, kde zdědil po svém strýci venkovský dům? Brzy ovšem Max zjistí, že nic není tak, jak si představoval. Krásnou idylu mu totiž překazí nebezpeční podvodníci, kteří pančují víno. A na scéně se nečekaně objeví krásná mladá Američanka Christie, která má na část dědictví také nárok. Jediný, kdo může Maxovi v tuto chvíli pomoci, je londýnský přítel Charlie, velký znalec vína.

Genres: Fiction, Travel, France, Romance, Food, Contemporary, Audiobook

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Peter Mayle was a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. He spent fifteen years in advertising before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. In 1989, A Year in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages, and he was a contributing writer to magazines and newspapers. Indeed, his seventh book, A Year in Provence, chronicles a year in the life of a British expatriate who settled in the village of Ménerbes. His book A Good Year was the basis for the eponymous 2006 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring actor Russell Crowe. Peter Mayle died in Provence, France.

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have watched the movie before reading the book, and the movie for me was much better. Only the character names and the setting in France was kept the same, other than that the story is completely different. Was left a little disappointed with the plot and the ending of the story though, as the movie's plot and ending was way better. The major plus for me was having travelled the region and experiencing many of the things described in the book, so I could visualize the book much more than others I have read. Still a good, quick and easy read

[Colin Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone thought the movie based on this novel was better. That’s often not the case, but may go to explain my less than enthusiastic review, centred around the story of a vinyard in France.

I don’t recall who gave me this German edition of ‘A Good Year’ (Ein guter Jahrgang). None of my friends have owned up to it, but it was good opportunity to try another German text (admittedly with my online dictionary and Google translator close at hand) as it has been a long time between drinks. Pun intended.

I wondered if it was the language barriers that contributed to my overall dissatisfaction, but no, I have come to the conclusion that it was the fault of its light-on-substance storyline. To be honest, it felt a little silly at times.

There are some passages that seemed to spring from another era; descriptions of women that fitted more in an outdated James Bond film, and some unfortunate serotyping:

‘…eine Gruppe Zigeuner, hager und dunkelhäutig, die wie Haie in einen Schwarm tropischen Fische durch die Menge glitten…’ = ‘…a group of gypsies, gaunt/lanky and dark-skinned, that glided through the crowd like sharks into a school of tropical fish…’

Having said that, learning new German words made it an entertaining read:
die Sauregurkenzeit= slow/off/silly season.

I always have fun with idioms. Many I needed to look up:
einen (kleinen) Schwips haben = to be (a bit) tipsy.

But not this one:
in Morpheus’ Armen ruhen = to be in the arms of Morpheus.

It does mean the same in English (sleeping), but I’d never heard of it until one of my German Goodreads friends enlightened me. When I read the following it brought a smile to my face:

‚Zu Müde, um auch nur an Essen zu denken, nahm er ein langes heißes Bad, bevor er beinahe umgebend in Morpheus sank.‘ = ‘Too tired to even think about food, he took a long hot bath before he fell almost completely to sleep.’

Because of the German, it gets a little extra. 3.5 stars

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the book because I liked the movie so much. Well, other than the location and the names of the characters, there is very little similarity between the two, although both are equally enjoyable. The book is very witty - one funny statement from the book from vineyard caretaker Claude Roussel: "The English murder their meat twice: once when they shoot it, again when they cook it." It brought to mind the time we ate at an English friend's house and she broiled, then baked tenderloin filets (organic, grass-fed) until they were hockey pucks. The salad was very good, though.

It was a quick read - the perfect book to read on the way to and from New York City. It is thoroughly enjoyable with the quips and some of the antics. There is a love story or two looming in the background of the book, although a man does not write a love story (apparently) as well as a woman. But, I really liked the book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a witty quick read.

[Bart · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 same - but the main characters, and the plot itself, were altered considerably.

The book had its moments, and for the most part was the sort of light fare that works perfectly in airport terminals - where I read A Good Year - but it made no meaningful commentaries on the human condition, took no interesting chances with the language and left the characters very much the same on the last page as they were on the first.

Admittedly, the movie is heavy-handed in the transformation it subjects its protagonist to, but at least it makes an effort at character development.

Least impressive of all was the dialogue that supposedly happened in French. Turns out, the French speak their language exactly as the English speak English, and worst of all, the English speak English almost exactly the way Americans do, too.

This became clear the one time Mayle takes a chance and does some literal translation; he uses since in a way it's not exactly used in English. It marks an original moment in his dialogue which is otherwise the stuff of television sitcoms or weak movie scripts.

I'll definitely see Russell Crowe's next movie. But I'm done with Peter Mayle's novels.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern fairy-tail: a heritage which appears out from the blue, a friend who begs you to take his money, a castle, all sort of kind and warm people, some villains, but harmless ones, landscapes, quality food and good wine, a happy end. The book itself it's far from being a masterpiece, but I am fond of the author and his style and there are lots of overrated books here...
PS: For the second time, I had to reread the author's name. For me, he's a twin-image of Jeffrey Archer.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlikeable English misogynist loses job, moves to sleepy town in Provence inexplicably brimming with hot women, claims winery inheritance. Quelle merde.

[Madhulika Liddle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Londoner Max Skinner, divorced, lonely, in debt but about to make a killing on the stock market, finds himself conned by his boss—and, in a fit of anger, resigns. He has also just received a letter from a notaire in a Provençal village, informing him that his Uncle Henry has died and left Max his house and the attached vineyard. Max is reluctant to even visit it; his memories of the many summer vacations spent as a child at Uncle Henry's have convinced him that the place is hardly likely to be much use to him. Not profitable, at any rate.

Egged on by his friend and former brother-in-law Charlie (a real estate man who has more than a passing interest in wine), Max decides to go to Provence after all. There, he encounters an eclectic lot of people: the attractive notaire, Nathalie Auzet; the man who does all the work in the vineyard, Claude Roussel, and his wife, who makes a mean civet Her sister, the flamboyant Mademoiselle Passepartout, who becomes Max's housekeeper. Fanny, the gorgeous hostess-cum-waitress at a local cafe. And, as he begins settling in—falling prey to the charm of Provence—Max realizes that his vineyard's wine is just too horrible for words... How will he ever make this work? Or will he have to sell it off?

And, to complicate matters, there arrives on the scene a young American woman who turns out to be Uncle Henry's love child.

A Good Year is a pleasant enough story, if slow-moving, but it's really nothing to write home about. The 'mystery' here is fairly transparent right from when it's introduced, and the way the plot moves after that is fairly predictable: no surprises there. The characterization is so-so, barring two people—Max's housekeeper Mademoiselle Passepartout and his pal Charlie—who are utterly delightful. The other pluses are the (too few and too far between) descriptions of food, which had me salivating. That, really, is what Peter Mayle is best at, as is evident in his brilliant non-fiction books. Perhaps that's what he should stick to; neither this nor the other novel of his that I've read ( The Vintage Caper ) are a patch on books like Toujours Provence or A Year in Provence.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer-reading wish fulfillment for metrosexuals. Urbane London male inherits rundown vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France. Fortunately, he speaks fluent French and doesn't act so English as to be spurned by the rurals. His predictable sexual adventures are not graphic at all, but the descriptions of his meals at the local bistro border on the pornographic. The wine, of course, is a topic of infinite variety. I am familiar with rhapsodic descriptions including tastes of chocolate, berry, and oak, but this is the first time I saw "dirty socks" mentioned in this context. There's a bit of a crime story here, nothing so stressful as to inspire a Hollywood blockbuster. The most violent act involves spitting into a crachoir, which as the Brits might say is a bloody shame, especially if the wine contains only just the right hint of dirty sock.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Как съм могла толкова време да го подминавам този симпатяга (мир на праха му) ? Нещо все се съмнявах. А всъщност се оказа страхотен разказвач, с чувство за хумор, типично английско, от най-любимото ми. Засега англичаните си остават ненадминати в този занаят.
Филмът, който се води , че е направен по тази книга , няма почти нищо общо.
Клоня към харесване повече на книгата. Американското свръх напъване , определено ме дразни.Абсолютно неестествено е.
Продължавам с неговите книги.
"Шампанското,винаги се свързва с хубави моменти-питие за оптимисти."
Чудех се , защо обичам толкова шампанско ;)

[Lauren Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. A perfect escape to the sun drenched region of Provence. Makes me want to move to the South of France and drink wine and ride in the car with the top down. (2008)

[Maria Roxana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5.

[Malacorda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scrittura e storiella piuttosto scarse, si risolleva appena un poco grazie all'ambientazione provenzale e alle descrizioni della grande magione in decadenza.

I personaggi coincidono molto parzialmente con quelli del film e la trama ancor meno: a dire il vero il confronto va a vantaggio del libro perché l'intreccio, per quanto basato su coincidenze troppo formidabili ed improbabili, si regge su un numero di elementi più corposo che invece nel film è stato ulteriormente appiattito.
Ma anche con questi punti a favore, resta una lettura che non ha nulla di eclatante, ideale da spiaggia o sala di attesa o tempi di attesa in generale.

[Erin-Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I agree with others here that the movie was actually better than the book (shock horror). I think that has a lot to do with how beautifully the film is shot rather than any failing of the book. I still enjoyed this immensely.

Peter Mayle’s description of France always makes me want to move there immediately. The characters here aren’t very developed (particularly the women), which is slightly problematic and leaves the book feeling a little shallow. Hard to tell if I would have given this as high as 4* if A Good Year wasn’t my absolute favourite film.

[erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 righting itself? - flopped.

The one redeeming factor is that there's a paragraph devoted to a salad dressing recipe, rendered in loving detail. Makes one wish Mayle had confined his writerly aspirations to celebrity cooking magazines...

[Jr Bacdayan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charming, quasi-refined, and very silly.

[Steven Walle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book about wine making in France I I would recommend it to all.

[Angela]

The lovely and talented Mr. Russell Crowe was responsible for getting me to read Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander, which began my ongoing infatuation with the Aubrey-Maturin series. When I learned that his next movie, A Good Year, is based upon the novel of the same name by Peter Mayle, I figured what the hell, I should give this book a shot as well.

I am told that this is one of Mr. Mayle's fluffier and more forgettable works. Me, I enjoyed it well enough, though that's about the summary I would give for it. The overall impression I came away with was one to the effect of "boy, this author really loves to go on and on about food and wine, doesn't he?" Certainly, the three different passages I can think of off the top of my head wherein a character goes into great detail about how to properly taste a wine and describe it almost stand out more clearly for me than the details of the actual plot.

There are one or two parts that do stand out, though. Whenever our hero Max Skinner gets snarky, he's fun. The scene at the beginning where he gets fired from his job has satisfying snark in it, and arguments he has with his American cousin Christie give me a pretty good indication of what's going to be in the film version of this--especially when Christie hauls off and throws a skillet at Max's head. ;)

From what I understand about the movie, they're going to play up the conflict between Max and Christie, which I think is going to be necessary to make the film more entertaining than the book. The book does raise the possibility of Christie having a better claim on Max's property than he does, but that plot thread gets dropped almost as soon as it's introduced. I also find myself hoping that the woman who winds up most catching Max's eye, as well, will get higher play in the movie than she does in the book.

Mostly, though, I was amused by reading the book and visualizing Mr. Crowe in Max's role. From what I've seen of still shots from the set, he's got him nailed. But I don't know if anybody besides a Crowe fan or a wine aficianado would really find too much of substance here. It's definitely a bon bon of a book--tasty enough, but leaving almost no impression once it's done.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, little light read about a vineyard and wine.

[MacK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been an expatriate, and because of that experience I've come to enjoy the ex-pat novel. The travelogue of the weary voyager, the modern day Odysseus, floating on a breeze, relishing every experience that passes by, not entirely focused on going home (whatever home is).

But while E.M. Forester captures this spirit perfectly, Mayle acknowledges a more complex feeling--the need, the irrefutable, undoubtable need for a link to one's past, in a way deeper than the language that Kipling uses, or the quiet psychology that Forester uses--Mayle revels in the alien nature of his protagonist, and in the protagonists conflict over everything he sees and encounters.

Strangely though, this conflict is about the only one that Mayle's "Max" encounters. Lose a job--inherit a vineyard. Move to France--be welcomed unanimously. Try and grow a wine--SUCCEED--in one year!!! He also tries to create a conflict where every reader can tell that none exists. The random inclusion of a heretofore unknown American cousin begins a tremendous battle over the inheritance--which anyone with a pair of ears or eyes can tell is not really a battle, and the sexual innuendo that complicates Max's dalliances are stubbornly prolonged by avoiding the words: "she's my cousin." Convoluted conflict happens occasionally in literature,

Still, the book is well written, with great measures of pathos and humor, little in-jokes and jabs at the French will sit well with anyone who has ever met anyone French. And the reading by John Lee is solid, though rather irritating when he affects a female American accent that somehow creeps me out. It was an amusing read, or in my case, listen, and it offered plenty of opportunity for reflection. But any book that makes me shake my head in desperate frustration as often as this one did, can't be truly great.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah alors! A book that captivates my attention from beginning to end! For me this is a good find -- something that doesn't happen so often these days. This tale is fun and breezy, like disappearing into an impressionist painting set in Provence.

Max Skinner, practically broke, loses his finance job in London and the same day learns that he's rather fortuitously inherited his uncle's Saint-Pons vineyard in southern France. By next morning Max boards a British Airways flight and abandons the cold, dreary realities of the rainy north for the sunny and more promising countryside where life is slower, adorned with wisteria, fragrant lavender fields and bright tulips, a place where pastis and fine wine are served generously at every turn. Just as Max begins to settle into the idea of his new life as a farmer in the fertile French fields, in walks his long-lost, beautiful and blond cousin Christie from California (of course), his potential rival heir revealing herself for the first time.

The vineyard's mysterious back story immediately begins to unfold and takes these newly united relations and an assortment of sundry other villagers on an adventure through the world of wine wheeling and dealing.

This work of fiction is plotted somewhat like a made-for-television movie: thinly developed characters, a slightly contrived story line, and an ending that wraps up nicely within 120 minutes. But the writing is evocative and genuinely transports you to the region, providing a cozy escape into the world of rural France with personal affection the way only an author can conjure from his own life experiences. It was indeed a good year in Provence, a picture-perfect postcard. I anticipate reading more from Peter Mayle.

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Після Стівена Кінга це був саме той ковток полудневого прованського повітря,який був мені так потрібен. Легкий стиль автора непомітно для читача повністю занурює його у французьку культуру, місцевість, звичаї. І здається,що це ви без проблем відкидаєте усі свої домашні справи,аби смачно пообідати і випити келих Бордо, присівши в затінку і спостерігаючи за життям навколо вас. Історія ідеальна для відпочинку та розвантаження мозку.
Макс дізнається, що отримав у спадок від свого дядька його старий будинок та виноградники у маленькому прованському містечку Сен-Пон. Його друг надихає його спробувати розпочати нове життя і опанувати нову романтичну професію – виноробство. А там можливі і невеличка загадка, приємні зустрічі і кохання.
Перед очима – маленьке прованське містечко, де всі знають один одного, запах лаванди і безкраї виноградні поля. Картинка у вашій голові народжується настільки жива, що руки самі тягнуться налити собі келих, взяти зрілого французького сиру і смакувати разом з героями, у яких прийоми їжі нащось перериваються побутовими рутинними справами. Таке враження, що вони й самі не раді) А прочитавши останню сторінку ти розумієш, що найбільше тобі хочеться зараз замовити квиток на літак. «А там ещё немного и Прованс»…

[Jenny Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

После того, как я была в восторге от книги "Год в Провансе", я, конечно же, хотела почитать что-нибудь еще Питера Мейла. Выбор пал на роман "Хороший год", который повсеместно хвалили.

Англичанин, потерпевший крах на работе, приезжает в Прованс, в унаследованный от дядюшки дом, где с воодушевлением вливается в жизнь солнечного французского края. Т.е. в целом, сюжет в чем-то перекликается с "Годом в Провансе", и в этом-то, наверное, и заключалась подлянка. Потому что по сравнению с первым прочитанным мной романом Мейла, "Хороший год" показался мне мало того, что слишком слащавым, так еще и вторичным - особенно в первой половине книги, где разные реалии жизни провансальцев описывались чуть ли не теми же самыми фразами, что в "Годе в Провансе"! Да, книга ненапряжная, солнечная, отпускная, но ощущение "не верю!" подстерегало меня на каждой странице. Не верю в персонажей, в их чувства, отношения, диалоги, сюжет. Не верю - значит, что не могу прочувствовать и принять. Всё слишком хор��шо, слишком сладко, слишком поверхностно - не по мне. После этого романа за Мейла я бы больше не взялась.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting back from Europe, I really wanted to read Mayle's "A Year in Provence," but it wasn't available for the Kindle, so I ended up picking up this fictional story of Max Skinner, who thinks he's got it made at a financial office in London, but who unexpectedly loses his job and finds himself out of work, out of a car, out of money and out of hope. In the nick of time comes a letter from the attorney handling his uncle's estate that he has inherited a vineyard in the south of France, and the house that is attached. His friend loans him the money to travel to Provence to check things out.

This was a delightful voyage of discovery peppered with unforgettable characters, some nefarious, some not. It gives a good picture of the life in a small French town, and takes the reader into the world of French wines. A review I read said "It is a light, funny and charming novel to be read between two heavy, serious and demanding books," which is precisely what I was looking for--and it filled the bill nicely.

[Anupriya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I decided to read this book was because one of my favourite films, also called A Good Year, was based on it. But yes, there are quite a few major plot differences between the two, but I won't go into the specifics of that now. But know what ? These differences actually, intrigued me more than annoy... The way Mayle describes the beautiful French countryside is so blissful and inviting. It made me feel like I was stepping into the story – like I was in Provence and I could feel 'the glorious shock of heat' with Max...

The plot itself is a little slow paced and not overly intense or wicked. It just seemed to gel so well perhaps with the gentility and the laidback, idyllic lifestyles that the people of Provence experience.

I would say that if you enjoy wine, food, beautiful scenery and good company, a hint of crime and charming laugh-out-loud humour, A Good Year can provide you with plenty of it all. It's the perfect companion on a summery day when you look for something light and beautiful to read.

[J.T. IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Good Year, and a good book. Light and funny with a dry sense of humor, A Good Year takes you to the south of France and gives you a window into small town life there. From the unemployed and almost destitute Englishman that finds himself suddenly the heir to a small chateau, to the young California girl searching for her long lost father, the charming beauty who runs the local café, and the grouchy peasant farmer who works the vines with his dog, character fills the pages. Underlying everything is the mystery of a small block of vines at the edge of the property behind a rock wall. Along the lines of Karen’s Mitford or Gulley’s Harmony, but with characters whose moral compass doesn't quite point so far north, Mr. Mayle will take you to Provence, keep you smiling, and make you wish you could stay. Recommended.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light read and yet you get a lot of rich images and great characterization. Personally, this will be a favorite of mine to return to at times when I need something to lift my spirits. Comedy, romance, and even a bit of mystery are all set in the enriching backdrop of a French chateau. The writing itself is quick and witty; cloaked with blithesome sarcasm and stereotypical comments. There isn't one character that I disliked; in fact, they all work together in a truly enjoyable way. I enjoy Mayle's craft for the dialogue between the characters and even the way the point of view shifts among them. It's a well-rounded read and I would recommend to anyone looking for something that sheds a bit of warmth on the winter ahead.

[Marjie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, light-hearted summer read. When a young businessman from London loses his job and inherits a winery in France on the same day, he takes his best friend’s advice and goes to check out the winery where he summered as a boy. Little does he know that wines from his vineyard are being used to create fraud, preying on the nouveau riche who are more interested in expensive labels than authentic wine. Through the process, a romance develops and the new owner develops a firm partnership with the vineyard manager.

[Claudia Șerbănescu · Rating 2 out of 5]

O carte foarte potrivită pentru vacanța de vară, care amintește de magnifica Provence celor ce au vizitat-o deja și stârnește curiozitatea celor ce nu au ajuns încă. Sunt câteva diferențe semnificative față de film, dar merită să le descoperiți. 😉

[Oana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice and easy book, a good read for a lazy afternoon. However, A Year in Provence was definitely better.

[Brandon Gryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, didn't want it to end. Breezy, fast read that makes me want to travel to Provence.