Corkscrew

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

By: Peter Stafford-Bow

Narrated by: Peter Stafford-Bow

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

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)

Review

Absolutely delightfully entertaining - it made my long drive to work an enjoyable time - I applaud the author - well done!

Hysterically funny

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve listened to. The narration is superb, and I enjoyed the authors depth of knowledge about wine. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times throughout the book.

decent story but the performance needs editing

good, but the authors heavy breathing at times of long run needs to be edited out.

I just couldn’t stop laughing on the train

I had to stop listening when commuting, couldn’t stop laughing and smiling. Peter Stafford-Bow is a great narrator as well as author. Learned new things about wine whilst listening. The incredible fantastic story of Felix Hearth was just great. A sunshine story in the otherwise grey weeks up towards Christmas.
I recommend this book. It’s just great.

Warning: Politically Incorrect

But pretty darned funny. The author’s self-read is excellent. Enough actual wine knowledge to satisfy the informed but not to intimidate the novice.

Hilarious!

This is not a wine book, so much as it is a great story. I drive a lot for work and found myself on several occasions idling at my destination not wanting to get out until there was a good break in the story.

a great and funny book

I loved this book. Bought it after hearing the author on We like drinking podcast.

Funniest Book I've Heard In A Long Time

The book is a wildly entertaining romp with more twists than a alpine switchback road. Laugh put loud funny, filled with characters one can only hope are fictional, and a perfectly written story. Listen and laugh.

Very entertaining

I bought this book as a wine lover and although I didn't really learn anything new about wine itself in the book, I was very engaged in the story which is entertaining and funny (even hilarious at times). The reading performance by the author is A+ and this makes the audiobook even better than the real book.

Could Have Been Good

Finally couldn't tolerate the teenage fantasy sexual prowess. Just silly. Was funny in spots but became repetitive.