Uncorked : My year in Provence studying pétanque, discovering Chagall, drinking pastis, and mangling French

by Paul Shore

Will having smoke repeatedly blown in his face deter a foreigner from breaking in to French culture? Find out, as Paul Shore’s evocative story telling, wry wit, and big heart, inspire and entertain you, as he tells the tale of how he gained acceptance inside a charming village in Provence.

Uncorked celebrates the “uncorking” of a few tightly held traditions that are near and dear to hearts of the locals of the Cote d’Azur and Provence – being taught to play pétanque (boules) under the clandestine cover of darkness; learning vernissage etiquette; drinking pastis before noon; navigating narrow village roads at top driving speed. Shore also “uncorks” personal awakenings about the value of following roads-less-travelled and making time to smell-the-roses, as we cultivate friendships and traditions. And, through exposure to the life of artist Marc Chagall, Shore reflects on the challenges that all newcomers face to gain acceptance in a foreign land.

Shore’s humorous and heart-felt accounts of his year living in Provence will touch and amuse, and evoke fond memories of travel to fascinating places --- and they might even trigger reflection on the importance of being afforded new chances in life.

TREAT YOURSELF TODAY to some belly laughter and fond reminiscing about your own past travels!


Praise for Uncorked:

"Like a wry cross between Bill Bryson and Dave Bidini, Paul Shore’s funny, self-deprecating and wholesome recounting of a year spent in Provence is one part travelogue, one part self-help guide, and one part memoir. Uncorked is just like a good French wine: light, delicious, and full of flavour."
--- Grant Lawrence, CBC broadcaster and author of Adventures in Solitude

“A computer geek in the South of France? What could go wrong? With remarkable storytelling skill, Shore brings to life a time and place where community, simplicity and a slower pace were revered — a younger generation's A Year in Provence.”
--- Sarah Bancroft, writer of the blog A Year in Paris

“Shore’s light-hearted story takes you to a place where the simple joys in life are what matters. During my Man in Motion World Tour 30 years ago, I wish I could have slowed down as Paul did.”
--- Rick Hansen, founder and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation

“Many dream of relocating to France at some time in their lives. Like Peter Mayle (A Year in Provence) before him, Paul Shore made the leap and found a cornucopia of delights in his new home.”
--- Stephen Hui, hiking writer and former Georgia Straight editor

“Paul Shore’s nostalgic musings on the ancient, nuanced sport of pétanque demonstrate how to, with a dose of persistence, tap into a treasure trove of cross-cultural respect and understanding in sunny Provence.” 
--- Jack Christie, writer-broadcaster, author of 52 Best Day Trips from Vancouver

“Reminded me of my own time in Europe and how much I miss it. Thanks so much for a wonderful read and bringing back such incredible memories.”
--- Stella Harvey, founder of the Whistler Writers Festival and author of The Brink of Freedom

Genres: Travel, France, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Canada, Humor

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2017

About the author

Paul Shore is an award-winning author and technology industry veteran who has worked around the globe. His drive to embrace new challenges has seen Paul involved in a variety of pursuits. After the software startup he was with in France was acquired by computer chip maker Broadcom in 1999, Paul returned to Vancouver and led the company’s voice-over-internet group for years. Marrying a talent for business with a passion for sport and community, Shore pursued a role in the world of sports and spent an inspiring, and at times physically risky, few years working for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He has also regularly dedicated energy to volunteerism, while living in Whistler with his wife and children and exploring the mountains and ocean of the coast.

Interested in signing up to my Reader's Group and a chance to WIN A WEEK IN A MAGICAL VACATION HOME ON THE BRITISH COLUMBIA COAST?... visit www.pshore.com

Reviews

[Marilyn McIvor]

This was a great little book that taught me, not only about small town France culture, but also to reflect on my current life and consider decisions about where I live and what I do more mindfully. As we baby boomers age, it seems we become more interested in the components of health including community connectedness, beautiful art, physical activity and the value of reflection. This book illustrates all of these factors, masterfully mingling them in with Shore's creative wit.

[Kathryn Casbolt]

Lovely book, well written with wonderful humour. I really didn't want to put this book down. It really made me want to visit the area!

[Pamela Cytrynbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Uncorked" by Paul Shore is a delicious frolick through Provence and Shore's big heart. Wonderful, fun, beautiful book!

[Lorne Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, lighthearted, self-mocking, and chuckle inducings. A real page-turner on a subject I previously knew nothing about. If you were ever that kid who wanted to fit in and be invited to play with the the big boys, you'll love this book. A must read by anyone wanting to spend time in another culture, visit Provence, laugh at contrasts between French and Canadian culture, or simply yearning for a slower pace of life.

[Sarah]

A delightful memoir of a year living and working in a village in southern France. His enthusiasm and and delight in life as an ex-pat are obvious. In the same vein as Peter Mayle’s “A year in Provence”

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We included this in our Bookworm's Guide to Books that Inspire Travel recommendations. The book reads slow initially, until you figure out you need to let it breathe. This is an immersion, a story of belonging, culture and community. Finding your place amidst these things doesn't happen immediately. Just as I was getting a joyful satisfaction in Paul Shore's acclimation, he gets called home to Canada, which engendered a great sense of loss. I'd love to see him treat reverse culture shock, if he experienced it upon returning home, in a similar manner.

[Rebecca Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Uncorked immensely: the fish-out-of-water story; the sweet and gentle humour; and all of the characters, especially Hubert and his 'la puff'! The story was very uplifting, and I could easily relate to finding oneself in a strange land and not knowing the customs, or the language.

[MARY JANE CLARK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly boring

True, I am not a male overtly interested in games involving balls (and sticks). I was hoping for a more balanced view of Provence and life in a small village, food, wine and culture. Mais non, seulement petanque.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing read

This memoir is entertaining, amusing and an enjoyable read. Paul, a Canadian spends a year in France with his job. He not only conquers the game of petanque, but is slowly accepted by the locals. Wonderfully written; I loved it.

[Awallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great synopsis of the south of France.

Paul Shore does a lovely job of describing a small town in the south of France and all the quirkiness that come with it.

[Lisa DeRea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book! I also moved to the South of France in 1999 when this story took place and I live here still today. I have been many times to St. Paul de Vence and loved the familiar things he wrote about. Quite a few times in the story I really did laugh out loud. Great book!!

[Clay Braziller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book for any techie who is being asked to parachute into a new country or to Silicon Valley! I only wish the book was available the first time I had to work in the UK.

[David Campana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and fun retelling of the author's year in the South of France, near Nice.

Maybe the author is trying to play Petanque so he can fit in with the locals, or maybe he is trying to fit in with the locals so he can play Petanque? Either way, the book contains a number of small anecdotes that describe a sleepy little tourist town and the game that is played there by the locals -- and one Canadian. Scattered about are observations about art, what matters, and where we come from.

It fanned my desire to visit the places described in the book (who knew you could Rollerblade in Paris?) and made me wish my French wasn't trop mal (or is it trop mauvais?).

I still don't think I'm taking up Petanque though :-)

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with great pleasure because we recently spent two weeks in a small village in the Vaucluse, Provence, not far from where Uncorked was set. The village, Beaumes de Venise, was similar in size and culture to the village the author describes, and we watched much petanque, wondering at the intense and layered history and culture that surround the game.

Our holiday rental had a pool and a small petanque plage, so our family had a chance to mis-play the game plenty, shielded from the glance of locals by a hedge! It was a lot of fun. Our host also plied us with his homemade pastis, which we learned to sip VERY slowly over an evening.

I loved Mr. Shore's descriptions of village life, and his slow acceptance into it. My only wish was that Uncorked was a little longer, and covered more of his discoveries of the surrounding countryside. Other villages close by, more on the wine and the changes in landscape and weather throughout the year.

All in all, a fun and nostalgic read. Thank you!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining memoir of a Canadian high tech guy's year living in the south of France. Being a sporty kind of a guy he decides he wants to learn pétanque, a game played mostly by older gentlemen outside, with metal balls. It turns out you have to find a sponsor to participate, so he asks an acquaintance to teach him. After a considerable period being tutored in the dark of night, he is judged fit to play actual matches, and actually turns out to be pretty good at the game, both the physical and the psychological aspects. Although I'm not a sporty person, I could relate to the attempts to fit into the local culture and improve his French. Basically this is a little glimpse of what it is like to be an expat in Europe, and as such is very relevant for those interested in living abroad.

[N.kallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about the development of a person through his year thrown into a different business and social culture and how he navigates it through a game. His relationship with his coach is an complicated and strategic as the game.

[Cec · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of this book lies within the personal connections Paul was able to make. Unknowingly, and certainly without deliberate intent, Paul consistently reflected on his experiences and allowed these thoughts to drift into his inner self. With his wit and humour, intertwined with his sincere humbleness, Paul reminds us all that the true essence of living one's life is by exploring how our experiences can truly mirror our deepest thoughts if we just simply permit ourselves to open up to these opportunities.

[Lorna Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good enough for me to pick up and finish on Christmas day! Lots of chuckles and local colour and definitely made me wish I'd taken a year abroad in a foreign country. Really fun, quick read that also provided interesting insight into small-village France--and the game of petanque. Hugely enjoyed!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read of a personal journey/experience. I feel like I could visit the town and recognize the sites, even pick out the people sitting at the Cafe or playing Pétanque!

[The Wanderlust Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected it to be. I expected a tale of wine and art and living, like a French version of Under the Tuscan Sun. What I got was a peek into a part of French living that many of us know nothing about. I could see this story playing out before me like a movie, moving to a tiny French town, gingerly testing out new language skills, and trying to immerse myself in a new pastime, petanque.

I loved the photos throughout, it helped me visualize while reading. The chapters are short, which makes it really easy to read, a chapter here, a chapter there. I read it while I was cooking dinner most nights!

[Janice Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Uncorked”, by Paul Shore is most enjoyable .He recounts his year working in the South of France.
While it is difficult to make inroads into the French culture its not impossible , if you can play Petanque.
His self deprecating humour draws the reader into his experience , his great appreciation of that part of the world and its people .

[Dan M]

I was captivated by Shore's adventures. Full of amusing anecdotes and colorful characters, the book has an authenticity and charm that only comes from one who has truly experienced that life. Very relatable for anyone who has lived abroad.

[Myra L Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discovering Petanque

Well written account of a year working in France! While there he learned the French game of petanque and learned that the rules also pertained to life.

[love2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncorked: a funny, insightful, reflective read! While living and working in the south of France (St. Paul De Vence), Paul describes his experiences trying to integrate into the culture. His efforts to broaden his understanding of the culture, and to come to appreciate what he learned from the experience is described with kind humour often at the expense of himself. Insightful self-reflection leading to personal growth adds a meaningful element. I laughed, I nodded in agreement, I felt that I got to know the people who touched his life. I understood the emotions related to loneliness, determination, success, daily learnings through new experiences, self-assessment, new beginnings and the loss of leaving.

[Joyce Pagurek]

Excellent read! With humour and wisdom, Paul Shore shares with us his adventures adjusting to a new environment and culture. It brought back for me memories of parallel experiences and made me think of what I learned in my year away and what long lasting effects that learning had had on my life, just as it has on Paul's. Highly recommend this book!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, funny, and sensitive memoir that transports us to faraway places and reminds us what life is all about. Evocative and memorable. Highly recommended.

[Anne Alper]

"Uncorked" is a delightful read...I thoroughly enjoyed learning about what must have been a life changing experience for Paul Shore as he got to discover himself and Provence during his stay in St. Paul de Vence. It really conveyed his love of life, of people and his sense of discovery. A measure of his acceptance by the community is the fact that he is taught the game of petanque by a local and holds his own in games with the regulars.

[Jim Christakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Shore’s Uncorked is a delightful and engagingly well written memoir about the experience of an adventurous Canadian’s year working in Provence and, thereby, learning the language and culture in a small and very traditional village with an interesting history. As I progressed through the book I found myself becoming increasingly immersed in the life and culture of the village, its people and its history. As the result, I now feel I’d be completely comfortable joining the locals for a glass of pastis in Le Cafe de la Place. Getting involved in a game of petanque, which played a key role in Paul’s “education”, would be quite another story. A very enjoyable “read”.

[David M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us have traveled somewhere and wished we could go "native" and experience what it's like to be a local. Paul Shore was fortunate to have such an experience, being very gradually accepted into the tight circle of those who play the sport of pétanque in a village in southeastern France. And we are fortunate that he has done such a fine job capturing what that was like for him, with vivid writing and self-deprecating humour that makes the residents of Saint-Paul de Vence come alive and makes you want to turn your next vacation into a long sabbatical.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading Uncorked last night and loved it. Very funny in spots and emotional in others. It reminded me of my own time in Europe and how much I miss it. And I loved your references to Chagall and the connections to your own background. As someone who has researched and written extensively about refugees, and who is an immigrant herself, I appreciated that the refugee crisis and being a stranger in a new land is not a new phenomenon. Thanks so much for a wonderful read and bringing back such incredible memories.