A Good Year

Book Overview: A Good Year

A delightful, best-selling tale about the business and pleasure of wine, adapted into a Ridley Scott movie starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.

Max Skinner has recently lost his job at a London financial firm and just as recently learned that he has inherited his late uncle’s vineyard in Provence. On arrival he finds the climate delicious, the food even better, and two of the locals ravishing. Unfortunately, the wine produced on his new property is swill. Why then are so many people interested in it? Enter a beguiling Californian who knows more about wine than Max does–and may have a better claim to the estate. Fizzy with intrigue, bursting with local color and savor, A Good Year is Peter Mayle, beloved author of A Year in Provence, at his most entertaining.

Product Information

ISBN-13	9780375705625
ISBN-10	0375705627
Publisher	Vintage
Publication Date	2005
Edition	Reprint
Language	en
Pages	304
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“A delightful divertissement. . . .plenty of . . . local color, comic dalliances and a feastful of entertainment.” —The Seattle Times

“Happily snide (and knowledgeable). . . . Wicked turns of phrase . . . . Quite agreeable, with an insouciant nose . . . perfect for summer reading.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“Mayle makes Provence sound like the most enticing place this side of paradise. Reservations, anyone?” —People

“Bubbly, light-hearted, good-natured. . . . [Mayle’s] descriptions of food and country ambience. . . live up to his reputation.” —The Baltimore Sun

“Fast-moving and fun. . . . a deliciously light-hearted tale. . . . The Provencal life never tasted so good.” —Rocky Mountain News

About the Author

Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle, celebrated British author, is best known for his evocative works that document life in the scenic landscapes of rural France. Born in Brighton, England in 1939, Mayle moved to France in the late 1980s. His decision to relocate birthed his most renowned work, “A Year in Provence,” a vividly descriptive memoir celebrating the cultural beauty of rural France—an admiration which features prominently in much of his subsequent work.

Mayle’s successful literary career spans across genres and audiences, catering to both adults and children. However, it’s his humorous accounts of his experiences as a British expatriate in France that have gained him international acclaim, turned into a BBC series and translated into numerous languages. His other prominent works include “Toujours Provence” and “Encore Provence.” Prior to the Provencal books, Mayle had an illustrious career in advertising and authored educational books, which each showcase his ability to engage a broad range of audiences.

Peter Mayle’s impact on literature earned him the British Book Awards “Author of the Year” in 1992, and in 2002, the French government honored him with the prestigious Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur for his cultural contributions. A captivating storyteller, Mayle’s works continue to inspire readers with his profound love for French culture and its people. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a rich legacy in travel and memoir literature.