Corkscrew: The highly improbable, but occasionally true, tale of a professional wine buyer - Softcover

Stafford-Bow, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1786080664 ISBN 13: 9781786080660

Publisher: Thistle Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

Nominated for The People's Book Prize 2018

"One of the funniest novels I've ever read. I honestly didn't want this book to end."
The Wine Stalker

"Peter Stafford-Bow’s first novel, CORKSCREW: The Highly Improbable, But Occasionally True, Tale of a Professional Wine Buyer, follows Felix Hart as he rises comically from an ejected prep school student to a major player in the wine industry, narrating his account to a panel of mysterious investigators. But CORKSCREW is more than just a string of eccentric and naughty anecdotes—it’s a chronicle of one man’s undeserving good fortune as he bounces around the world buying wine and climbing up the corporate ladder of retail. CORKSCREW will make the reader squirm, cringe, eye-roll and surely laugh out loud as he travels through the pages of this tale, negotiating, charming, escaping danger, and drinking wine with Felix."
IndieReader.com

"Boasting casual storytelling mastery and the sharp-tongued wit of Tom Robbins, Peter Stafford-Bow presents an incredibly amusing and unpredictable tale. For wine lovers or those who simply love a great story, this is a mad ramble through the tangled world of wine, taking readers across two continents and countless adventures of one exceptional character, Felix Hart. Corkscrew is a strange cross between a thriller and a farce, but Stafford-Bow pulls it off with panache – and a self-aware smirk on his face."
John Staughton

"This book gets a big thumbs up from me... this is not for youngsters."
Vino-Sphere.com

Felix, a tragic orphan, is expelled from school, cast out onto the British high street, and forced to make his way in the cut-throat world of wine retail. Thanks to a positive mental attitude, he is soon forging a promising career, his sensual adventures taking him to the vineyards of Italy, South Africa, Bulgaria and Kent.

His path to the summit, however, is littered with obstacles. Petty office politics, psychotic managers and the British Board of Wine & Liquor prove challenging enough. But when Felix negotiates the world’s biggest Asti Spumante deal, he is plunged into a vicious world of Mafiosi, people smuggling and ruthless multinationals.

Part thriller, part self-help manual, and part drinking companion, Corkscrew is a coruscating critique of neo-liberal capitalism, religious intolerance and the perils of blind tasting.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Stafford-Bow is a novelist and wine consultant, based in Blois, France. His debut novel Corkscrew: the highly improbable, but occasionally true, tale of a professional wine buyer, is a satirical novel drawing on his experiences working as an international wine buyer for some of the world's largest retailers. He is currently working on a second novel, again featuring Felix Hart, the bawdy and cheerfully amoral wine executive, intended for release in 2017. Stafford-Bow's favourite authors include John le Carre, Hilary Mantel and George MacDonald Fraser.

Review

"One of the funniest novels I've ever read. I honestly didn't want this book to end."
The Wine Stalker

"Peter Stafford-Bow’s first novel, CORKSCREW: The Highly Improbable, But Occasionally True, Tale of a Professional Wine Buyer, follows Felix Hart as he rises comically from an ejected prep school student to a major player in the wine industry, narrating his account to a panel of mysterious investigators. But CORKSCREW is more than just a string of eccentric and naughty anecdotes—it’s a chronicle of one man’s undeserving good fortune as he bounces around the world buying wine and climbing up the corporate ladder of retail. CORKSCREW will make the reader squirm, cringe, eye-roll and surely laugh out loud as he travels through the pages of this tale, negotiating, charming, escaping danger, and drinking wine with Felix."

IndieReader.com

"Boasting casual storytelling mastery and the sharp-tongued wit of Tom Robbins, Peter Stafford-Bow presents an incredibly amusing and unpredictable tale. For wine lovers or those who simply love a great story, this is a mad ramble through the tangled world of wine, taking readers across two continents and countless adventures of one exceptional character, Felix Hart. Corkscrew is a strange cross between a thriller and a farce, but Stafford-Bow pulls it off with panache – and a self-aware smirk on his face."
John Staughton

"This book gets a big thumbs up from me... this is not for youngsters."
Vino-Sphere.com

“Felix makes a wonderfully amusing character... In short, he is perfect for this book. I have been completely entertained by Mr Stafford-Bow's writing.”
Annette’s Reviews

“It takes a lot for me to laugh out loud while reading a book- but I was chuckling, gasping, shrieking and absolutely delighted. Just don’t drink wine as you read this gem of a book, as you may find yourself laughing and sputtering wine all over!”
Jena Henry (Reviewer)

“A rather jovial and interesting tale told with much gusto and swag, about Felix's introduction into the wine buying business.”
Cherry-Ann London (Reviewer)

“A lot of humour and action... will please most readers.”
Helena Manoli (Educator)

“This is a laugh out loud book! I had a very hard time putting it down.”
Randal White (Reviewer)

“Navigating his way through a mire of escapades with a positive attitude, zest for life and determination the intrepid Felix Hart - witty, charming and sometimes ruthless - takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride.”
Pam Thomas (Reviewer)

About this edition

• Publisher: Thistle Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1786080664
• ISBN 13: 9781786080660
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400