This was my final book for the Lit Flicks Challenge and I only had a few days to get it read. I can read some books rather quickly but the way this started didn’t give me much hope. It was an entertaining read, though.
Previously, I’d read A Year in Provence by Mayle and was positively charmed. His writing proved the region the tourists experience is not the same as the region inhabited by the locals. This was a memoir.
A Good Year is a fiction novel about an Englishman named Max who quits his job and finds out he’s inherited the French chateau of his uncle on the same day. It appears to be the answer to his money problems – move to France and own a winery. However, a few wrinkles come up that makes fulfilling the plan less straight forward than initially thought.
In the beginning I found the writing regarding actions annoying. It was like reading overly detailed directions for a movie script. About Chapter Five or Six is when the action flowed more naturally. It may be because there were many more characters at this point. Or it could be because Max was established as being more at home at the chateau than in London. Not long after those chapters is when the winery intrigue picks up.
The movie version was released a few years ago with Russell Crowe in the role of Max. I suspect the movie focuses more Max giving up the hustle and bustle of high finance in London and learning to appreciate the slower pace of Provence. While I had no interest in seeing the movie I’m now slightly intrigued.
Ahh. The last Lit Flicks Challenge selection. Congratulations on finishing. I’m glad this one picked up for you.
I enjoyed the movie because Marion Cotillard is in it – she’s great. I didn’t realize, if I’m reading this right, that two books sort of supply the story for the screenplay?
I haven’t seen the movie so I think only A Good Year supplied the story for the screenplay. However, there were two plotlines in the book. One was about leaving London behind for the inheritance. The second was about the winery… the wine tasted awful but then he finds out the winery is more complicated than he initially thought.
My husband and I both read the book several years ago, then we saw the movie when it came out. It was not as charming as the book, I’m afraid.
*nods* That’s what I was afraid of. Sometimes what’s on the page doesn’t translate well when on the screen.