Dobrý ročník

I’ll admit, I started *Dobrý ročník* with skepticism. Another expat-in-France cliché? Another middle-aged man rediscovering himself through wine and old stones? But Peter Mayle has a way of making even the most familiar tropes feel fresh, and Jiří Schwarz’s narration is the secret weapon here. Schwarz doesn’t just read the words—he inhabits them. His delivery is relaxed but never sleepy, his timing impeccable whether he’s describing the brutal efficiency of a Parisian layoff or the lazy contentment of a Provençal afternoon. The man clearly knows these characters; there’s a warmth to his voice when Skinner stumbles into the arms of Fanny, the local café owner, and a dry amusement when the town’s eccentric mayor rambles about his latest harebrained scheme. That said, the audiobook isn’t without flaws. Schwarz’s French pronunciations are a mixed bag—some words slip out smoothly, while others land like a tourist butchering a menu. And while Mayle’s writing is undeniably evocative, the middle act drags a bit as Skinner’s journey meanders (like an actual year abroad). Still, the payoff is worth the detour. By the time Skinner’s vineyard finally bears fruit—or at least, fruit of a sort—the story has earned its quiet triumph. The production quality is top-notch, with no distracting background noise and a level of intimacy that makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a very good friend’s most humiliating (and ultimately liberating) year. If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts escapism and introspection, or just a reminder that life’s second acts can taste even better than the first, this audiobook will pour itself for you.