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Merde Actually (Paul West #2)
'Edgier than Bryson, hits harder than Mayle'
The Times
A year after arriving in France, Englishman Paul West is still struggling with some fundamental questions:
What is the best way to scare a gendarme? Why are there no health warnings on French nudist beaches? And is it really polite to sleep with your boss's mistress?
Paul opens his English tea room, and mutates (temporar...more
The Times
A year after arriving in France, Englishman Paul West is still struggling with some fundamental questions:
What is the best way to scare a gendarme? Why are there no health warnings on French nudist beaches? And is it really polite to sleep with your boss's mistress?
Paul opens his English tea room, and mutates (temporar...more
Paperback, 447 pages
Published
2006
by Black Swan
(first published 2005)
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Merde Actually is a sequel to "A Year in the Merde". In this novel, the protagonist Paul continues with his (mis)adventure in France. He is now trying to open his English tea chain "My Tea is Rich" and at the same time having troubles with his personal love life.
While the first part was mostly focused on the cultural differences between England and France, this one is written in a typical love story fashion with not much on cultural issues. Obviously there are bit of episodes like the trouble he...more
While the first part was mostly focused on the cultural differences between England and France, this one is written in a typical love story fashion with not much on cultural issues. Obviously there are bit of episodes like the trouble he...more
I really enjoyed A Year In the Merde, the first book about Paul, a British businessman living in Paris. In that book, the hilarious clash of cultures and frustrations of doing business in France created a very humorous and satisfying story. This sequel is not as appealing.
Paul has struck out on his own in Paris, determined to open the tea room ("My Tea Is Rich") that was a focus of the first book. However, the tea room takes a backseat to Paul's romantic exploits. He's dating the lovely Florence...more
Paul has struck out on his own in Paris, determined to open the tea room ("My Tea Is Rich") that was a focus of the first book. However, the tea room takes a backseat to Paul's romantic exploits. He's dating the lovely Florence...more
I picked this one up at a library sale since I'm heading to France in about a month for a short stay - I figured it would be good to get me in the mood. I didn't know this was a part deux to his first book, but luckily you don't really need to have read the first book. It was fine as a standalone book. For the first few chapters I considered giving it up as I wasn't quite sure where he was going with his story. But I'm glad I didn't. He finally stopped just repeating how hot his girlfriend was a...more
The first book "A year in The Merde" was great. Pointing a direct finger at all Parisian habits. The second book deserves just a shrug. A character driven love story set in France. Although funny- it's a story and does not maintain the stand up comedian wittiness of book #1.
When I started this book, I was still under the impression that the series was in some way autobiographical. You'd have thought that I could have noticed the difference in the name of the author and that of the character, but this had evaded my attention when I read the first one, and continued to as I started this one.
The book was actually more enjoyable for knowing that it's not about actual events, which would have left me with far less sympathy for the characters. As it was, I found it more...more
The book was actually more enjoyable for knowing that it's not about actual events, which would have left me with far less sympathy for the characters. As it was, I found it more...more
Without trying to include spoilers, AYITM was about Paul West moving from London to France to help create English Style tea rooms in France, while working for a boss with questionable ethics. He has complete culture shock, dates a lot of girls and gets into quite a bit of trouble, all with the self-deprecating humor that the Brits are known for. He picks on the English, the French, vegetarians, and Americans, but in a way that you can’t help but love.
ITMFL picks up where the previous book left o...more
ITMFL picks up where the previous book left o...more
. The main focal point is on relationships, encounters, and angst about women. Written with a sharp comedic wit, the author dishes about his experiences (in the novel his character is named "Paul"), with women, and his pursuit of love. All this as he endeavors to establish an English tea room in the heart of gay Paree.
I think straight American and British men are the target audience. I found some parts to be a bit offensive, although it is difficult to argue that it does not realistically portra...more
I think straight American and British men are the target audience. I found some parts to be a bit offensive, although it is difficult to argue that it does not realistically portra...more
In this second book of a series, we meet Englishman, Paul West, moderately successful advertising executive, who went to France for a job as the liaison for a Paris based, French company trying to break into the English market. He spends a year dodging French office politics, trying to improve English-French relationships with the Parisian femmes, incurring the wrath and hostility of haughty french waiters, and slip, sliding his way through the local dog merde, which is freely deposited on the P...more
Paul West returns, still living in France, his French much improved, but still not good enough to tell tea bags from bath salts, flat tires from pure exhaustion, and without the knowledge to properly translate his menu items to get the French government off his back.
Paul is even less lucky in love. His girlfriend Florence who is supposed to be helping him set up his tea shop in Paris, is quickly tiring of the project and takes offence when Paul states he is uncomfortable with the fact that she h...more
Paul is even less lucky in love. His girlfriend Florence who is supposed to be helping him set up his tea shop in Paris, is quickly tiring of the project and takes offence when Paul states he is uncomfortable with the fact that she h...more
Review
"'Edgier than Bryson, hits harder than Mayle' The Times"
Product DescriptionA year after arriving in France, Englishman Paul West is still struggling with some fundamental questions: What is the best way to scare a gendarme? Why are there no health warnings on French nudist beaches? And is it really polite to sleep with your boss' mistress? Paul opens his English tea room, and mutates (temporarily) into a Parisian waiter; samples the pleasures of typically French hotel-room afternoons;
...more
Apr 26, 2007
liz
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fun-slash-junk,
international
Most novels about Anglo expats in Paris tend to fall back on the same handful of cliches. "A Year in the Merde" ignored all of these to forge new ones, which "In the Merde for Love" continues to do. But I think "In the Merde for Love" is a more character-driven, and as such there are fewer witty vignettes. The writing, though, remains extremely funny.
Back then, I didn't understand something very important about sitting in a cafe in a non-touristy part of rural France. The people aren't necessari...more
Back then, I didn't understand something very important about sitting in a cafe in a non-touristy part of rural France. The people aren't necessari...more
I howled often.
Maybe it was 'cause I have the mirror experience as a francophone living among anglophones. Or because I have a similar relationship to European French culture. Or I related so much to the bits around consulting and IT. At any rate, it was perfect for me. I didn't want it to end.
I wished I'd read the 1st book before hand but I'm sure I'll still chuckle if I read it 2nd. It's just now I know how the love portion of the story ends. Ah well...
Maybe it was 'cause I have the mirror experience as a francophone living among anglophones. Or because I have a similar relationship to European French culture. Or I related so much to the bits around consulting and IT. At any rate, it was perfect for me. I didn't want it to end.
I wished I'd read the 1st book before hand but I'm sure I'll still chuckle if I read it 2nd. It's just now I know how the love portion of the story ends. Ah well...
Not as good as the first of the series 'A Year in the Merde' which was much more hilarious. This one focuses more on Paul's love pursuits, while everything else is of peripheral interest to him, including his much talked about venture of the British Tea Café in Paris, which seems to have no major significance in the story than being a mere connect with the first book. Nevertheless, I would still read ‘Merde Happens’ just to know what happens next.
Not quite as good as its predecessorA Year in the Merde, this continuation of Clarke's fictionalized story of his time in France goes beyond Paris into the countryside. Having mastered life in the city, our hero deals with rural towns and families. Still lots of fun and still a special treat for Francophiles.
Zoals verwacht komt er al snel een beetje sleet op de formule, maar gelukkig is die formule zo simpel en degelijk dat dit boek amper moet onder doen voor zijn voorganger. Opnieuw gaat een Brit in de clinch met de Fransen, hun culinaire cultuur, hun ideeën over relaties en hun eigenaardigheden en opnieuw wordt het ene misverstand op het andere gestapeld, en dat 400 pagina’s lang. Met merde als rode draad. En dan te bedenken dat er nog twee delen zijn (Merde Happens en Dial M For Merde). (***1/2)
This is Book 2 in a series by Stephen Fry about his experiences (?) living in France. There are several laugh out loud moments in the book, so be ready for funny looks if you read this in public. Plenty of British understatement and the usual British wit centering around sex and toilet jokes (and of course in this book, courgettes). Highly recommended!
Another gem from Stephen Clarke. Our protagonist Paul West is at it again, still trying to figure out how to survive being a Briton in France. Paul seems to mature a bit in this novel; he realizes what he wants and goes after it both in business and love. His misadventures getting there are poignant and funny. I desperately missed Europe while reading this book, I wanted to hop the next transatlantic flight and stuff myself full of French food and culture. I look forward to the further adventure...more
Why did I think this was a memoir? Cannot remember if the friend who gave me this book told me so. Perhaps if I hadn't been expecting something more, em, genuine, reading a sexploits of an unlikeable and largely idiot Englishman type of book wouldn't have been so disappointing.
Second in the series of Paul West's trials and tribulations living in France and, in this instalment, setting up his English tea shop in Paris complete with all the bureaucratic obstacles he has to overcome - I do remember that France love their form filling! An enjoyable read.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I am a life-long Francophile. However, it is true that the French do tend to take themselves very seriously. That's what this book is all about - seeing the French as they really are. There are some serious parts to this book, but most of it is hilarious.
I did enjoy this book but I didn't think it was as good as A Year In The Merde. But Stephen Clarke definitely progressed with this follow up, there was a lot more soul and a little less comedy. I can't wait to get stuck into the next novel, Merde Happens.
Jan 30, 2008
Stephanie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who's studied French, been to France or just loves the country
I picked this up on my recent trip to Washington. It's about a British man and his adventures living in France with French women and trying to set up a British tea salon. There were some moments that literally caused me to laugh out loud, which is somewhat emabarrassing when you're waiting for your plane to board at the airport. I do think people who don't know French might not get all the jokes -- of course, this being written by a British guy, I felt like I needed a British to American English...more
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Stephen Clarke always manages to write about France in a way I never could, critical yet funny and with a fresh mocking insight. I did however find the narrative of this second book in the series a little less free flowing as the previous.
So funny, I loved Clarke's writing style and was amused throughout the book. Just the right balance of quirky anectdotes, cultural observations and relationship antics. Nice to read a love story from a dude's point of view, less obnoxious overanalyzing and whatnot ;)
Bonus points for a smattering of French lessons in a fun manner, such as in describing this character named Peter Burns: "Peter" means fart, "burnes" are bollocks. Welcome to France, Monsieur Fart-Bollocks.
Ok, maybe I'm just immatur...more
Bonus points for a smattering of French lessons in a fun manner, such as in describing this character named Peter Burns: "Peter" means fart, "burnes" are bollocks. Welcome to France, Monsieur Fart-Bollocks.
Ok, maybe I'm just immatur...more
I absolutely loved the beginning of the book. The first few chapters were great. However, after that it had it's moments, while other parts were very boring.
I enjoyed the last few chapters, so that helped, and I even liked the Epilogue. If I came across another of his books, I may read it, but I'm not sure that I would seek it out and buy it.
I enjoyed the last few chapters, so that helped, and I even liked the Epilogue. If I came across another of his books, I may read it, but I'm not sure that I would seek it out and buy it.
Great look at English/French cultural differences that in the end shows that nothing is 'right or wrong' just different. Laughed out loud all the way throught because I've been through some of the main characters experiences.
A book about the cultural misadventures of a young Brit living in France, the women he shags along the way, and fighting for the one he loves. It was like a chick lit story from the guy's point of view. Mildly amusing.
All I can say about this book is "meh." I mean... I think Stephen Clarke is laboring under the delusion that he is much funnier than he actually is, and hearing about all of his romps with "sexy" French women is boring and a bit creepy, considering that the gray-haired author says things like (to paraphrase), "I had always wondered what happened to a woman's body between 25 and 35, and now I knew - not much." So this old, crusty British dude has been sleeping exclusively with women under 25? Gro...more
Stephen Clarke continues his "Merde" series with various drôles passages that make us Francophiles smile. Although we know that Clarke is overly dramatic about how the French act toward foreigners, we can't help but laugh. He does open up a British Tea Room in Paris and honestly doesn't expect to get feedback from the French, whether it being constructive or not? Give me a break. When one goes to another country, the best thing to do is to try and fit in. That's when you'll learn the most about...more
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