I read this because I found out there was a Russell Crowe/Ridley Scott movie based on it coming this fall. I had not read any Peter Mayle before and I don't think I'll read him again. He's fine and somewhat entertaining but not my cup of tea. The translation was good, the characters interesting in a fluffy kinda way. I have no idea how Crowe will play Max. Book!Max is nice even if he had a shark's job and is somewhat laid back. Not a book I would read again or an author I would read again but I can see the appeal.