Corkscrew cover art

Corkscrew

The Highly Improbable, but Occasionally True, Tale of a Professional Wine Buyer

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Corkscrew

By: Peter Stafford-Bow
Narrated by: Peter Stafford-Bow
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About this listen

Nominated for The People's Book Prize 2018.

Felix, a tragic orphan, is expelled from school, cast out onto the British high street, and forced to make his way in the cutthroat 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 neoliberal capitalism, religious intolerance, and the perils of blind tasting.

©2018 Peter Stafford-Bow (P)2018 Peter Stafford-Bow Literature & Fiction Satire Comedy Funny Witty Africa

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Critic reviews

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

"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, author)
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From the first sip through to the last gulp, a superb vintage! Peter Stafford-Bow must have had a most wonderful time researching this book. Light and fruity at the start, heavy bodied in the middle, interesting on the nose, with an amusing finish. Goes down well with a light heart.

Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment

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Picture Tom Jones, transplanted into the 21st century, as a wine-obsessed playboy dashing from one crazy adventure to the next, and you'll have some idea of what you're in for. But this young Tom (or Felix) is more worldly-wise, and his internal machinations bring to mind How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

As I'm not into wine - at all - I approached this with a little trepidation, attracted mainly by the vaguely Wodehousian cover art, but soon found myself irretrievably hooked by the rollicking adventures and carefully crafted plot. The author has a fantastic grasp of language, always finding just the right turn of phrase to send me into hysterics. And I imagine anyone who loves their wine will enjoy this book even more than I did.

Brilliantly funny and wonderfully creative!

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Having read the paperback in 2016 I saw this on Audible and thought I'd give it a go - I recalled enjoying it, but had happily forgotten a lot of the jokes and some of the detail. I repeat my review left in 2016 - my opinion has not changed in terms of the story :

More a blend than a single varietal : 60% humour, 20% satire, 20% realism - all combined into a picaresque style novel that leaves you with a taste for more and no hangover whatsoever. Looking forward to reading more about Felix, and seeing how the books develop - am hopeful the next vintage surpasses this bright early harvest corker. The set pieces, especially the one at the huge wine tasting, were particularly memorable.

In terms of the performance - it's true, as some other reviewers have referenced, that it is not 'professional' - but I liked it. Firstly it shows that the author is committed. Committed to not wanting to splash out on Stephen Fry. Bravo. Secondly, it's what Felix would have done so is entirely in keeping with the book. Cheers!

Wine and Comedy - what's not to like?

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very entertaining Tom Sharpe style romp through the world of wine. helps to have some wine knowledge/interest. The "thriller" sub-plot not really necessary and seemed an afterthought. one point knocked off for not employing a professional narrator. Never a good idea!

very funny

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A little far fetched at times but some hilarious moments and so graphic you can cringe as you listen. I found it only to easy to form a mental picture in my mind of some of the incidents. Quite illuminating on the wine front too.

very amusing

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I loved this book. Such a funny tale, I can’t wait to listen to what Felix gets up to next!

Hilarious!

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Very amusing. Even more so as I harbour more than a hunch about the true identity of the author. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Immensely enjoyable

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A highly entertaining romp through the world of wine and an improbable lifestyle, along with a rare collection of characters.

It's Wine Jim, but not as you know it.

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Imagine Jeremy Clarkson writing Adrian Moles diary but replacing Adrian with a manslag called Felix.

Still, there are some very funny bits.

It’s ok but a bit 1990s

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Lacks any self awareness, treats women like objects, hits controvetials topics for attention, and the wine knowledge displayed is performative and perfunctory.
Also he takes ages to say anything and his voice changes are irritating and display a lack of voice training that's hard to ignore.

It's like Ross O Carol Kelly without any of

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