Uncorked: My year in Provence studying Pétanque, discovering Chagall, drinking Pastis, and mangling French

Will having smoke repeatedly blown in his face deter a foreigner from breaking in to French culture?

Paul Shore's evocative story telling, wry wit, and big heart will inspire and entertain you, as his persistence earns him acceptance inside a charming French village!

Shore humorously uses the mysterious game of Pétanque as a unique point of entry to explore areas of personal alienation faced as a newcomer in an adopted land full of heavily fortified culture.

This quirky story is not about wine, rather the "uncorking" of many of France's most cherished traditions and Shore's personal awakenings about the value of slowing down to smell-the-roses.

LAUGH WHILE BEING TOUCHED as you fondly reminisce about personal adventures!


WINNER of the WHISTLER INDEPENDENT BOOK AWARDS for Non-Fiction in 2017. This adds to the acclaim received from the NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS, by being named a FINALIST in their travel category for 2017.



Praise for Uncorked:

"Cross-cultural endeavors never go out of style. Shore will make readers smile and reminisce over their own youthful sojourns in faraway lands. Uncorked is a well written and diverting book that many readers will treasure."
--Judge's Commentary, 25th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

"Shore's use of the game of Pétanque as a point of entry to address areas of personal alienation is a great literary and narrative choice. This memoir made me laugh; especially Paul's foil Hubert, who is a star. And its funny and illuminating stories contain a soul that is touching too!"
--J.J. Lee, CBC radio host, author, and Governor General's Literary Award finalist

"Exactly the type of book I crave...only better! Shore's writing immediately feels like you're on a tour with a friend who tells it like it is. His self-deprecating humor and humility make it no wonder that he found a way to ingratiate himself into a tight-knit community in the south of France and enjoy life as a local."
--Sandy Abrams, entrepreneur, author of Your Idea, Inc, and Huffington Post blogger

"Like a wry cross between Bill Bryson and Dave Bidini, Paul Shore's funny, self-deprecating and wholesome recounting of a year spent in Provence is one part travelogue, one part self-help guide, one part memoir. Uncorked is just like a good French wine: light, delicious, and full of flavour."
--Grant Lawrence, CBC broadcaster and author of Adventures in Solitude

"A computer geek in the South of France? What could go wrong? With remarkable storytelling skill, Shore brings to life a time and place where community, simplicity and a slower place were revered --- a younger generation's A Year in Provence."
--Sarah Bancroft, writer of the blog A Year in Paris
"Shore's light-hearted story takes you to a place where the simple joys in life are what matters. During my Man in Motion World Tour 30 years ago, I wish I could have slowed down as Paul did."
--Rick Hansen, founder and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation
"Many dream of relocating to France at some time in their lives. Like Peter Mayle (A Year in Provence) before him, Paul Shore made the leap and found a cornucopia of delights in his new home."
--Stephen Hui, hiking writer and former Georgia Straight editor
"Paul Shore's nostalgic musings on the ancient, nuanced sport of pétanque demonstrate how to, with a dose of persistence, tap into a treasure trove of cross-cultural respect and understanding in sunny Provence."
--Jack Christie, writer-broadcaster and author of 52 Best Day Trips from Vancouver