In A Good year Peter Mayle takes us back to Provence is this tasty, easy to read novel proving once again for the 9th time that nobody can make you as hungry and thirsty for a good French wine and epicurean meal as he can.
The book starts out in London where we meet Max Skinner, our hero in this novel. Max has recently found his position in the financial world of that city about to take a change for the worse when he loses his job after his supervisor steals his best client. But, the proverbial rainbow at the end of the tunnel proves to be Max's salvation when the unfortunate demise of his favorite uncle Henry becomes Max's windfall. Uncle Henry has left Max his 18th century Chateau in Provence along with the adjoining 40 acre Vineyard.
Some of Max's best childhood memories involve his visits to this wonderful old piece of land and, after borrowing some money from his best friend Charlie, Max makes the move that will change his life forever.
When he arrives at his new property he is charmed by the old building even though it is badly in need of repair..The vineyard looks a bit down at the mouth as well and the wine in the wine cellar is not the best quality but Max decides to perserver and make changes for the better.
We soon meet the locals, the charming local notary Natalie, who distracts Max with her busty beauty as well as the mouthwatering array of food offered in her local bistro. The employee Roussel, in charge of the vineyard itself and the grapes which eventually make their way into the dusty bottles lying in the cellar. The new housekeeper Madam Passepartout, a busybody with a good heart and Fanny who turns out to be more than Charlie anticipated when she becomes his love interest..All these characters, so tres French and full of the flavor of Provence itself.
When Max decides to hire an expert to check out the vineyard Roussel doesn't seem to pleased with the prospect. As the plot thickens, and it gets even thicker, when a surprise visitor shows up who's very presence might change the entire nature of this inherited land.
Christie Roberts is a long way from her home in California. It turns out that Uncle Henry might have been involved in a little affair many years ago which produced another heir, a daughter who has a bigger claim to the land than a nephew according to French law..But, she isn't there for that reason since all she wants to do is to find her roots. Small world that Christie is also a wine expert having lived in Napa Valley all her life .
Then, with the arrival of Charlie, Max's best friend, another wine connoisseur, the plot really begins to deepen...There seems to be a corner of the Vineyard not talked about very much which becomes the secondary story line leading all the above mentioned characters into a twisted tale of deceit and greed...When Max learns about a vintage wine produced there which he is not informed of he wants some answers.. Could it be a "boutique wine" bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for just a few cases? Our heros set out to Bordeaux to find the answers while they hatch their own plot and find themselves involved in more than they bargained for.
A Good Year is delicious reading guaranteed to make you hungry and thirsty for more as Mayle guides us through the delectable countryside of Provence. His descriptive narrative of the meals, the wine and the unique characters are another example of his love for his adopted country, a country steeped in the traditions of fine food and wines guaranteed to make you lusciously lightheaded.
Happy reading and wonderful holiday wishes to one and all
This has been another addition to sleeper54's lean and mean W/O III to be found here
Another book by Mayle that I loved and reviewed
French Lessons
The official tie-in to the movie directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe and Albert Finney--a Twentieth Century Fox release. Love, laughter, ...More at Buy.com
The official tie-in to the movie directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe and Albert Finney--a Twentieth Century Fox release. Love, laughter, ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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