In the Merde for Love
by Stephen Clarke
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 206)
Read in December, 2006
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 necessarily unfriendly. It's just that they're so unused to strangers that they don't notice you. Or if they do see you, they don't know what to do with you. The barman knows what every one of his customers drinks at any time of the day, so the arrival of a non-regular doesn't compute. Why is there someone sitting in Marcel's seat when Marcel's been dead for three years?
I wished everyone a friendly "bonjour" and made eye contact with all the men who looked my way. The customers were all men, their ages ranging between thirty and death. There were about ten of them, and at least half had moustaches....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 necessarily unfriendly. It's just that they're so unused to strangers that they don't notice you. Or if they do see you, they don't know what to do with you. The barman knows what every one of his customers drinks at any time of the day, so the arrival of a non-regular doesn't compute. Why is there someone sitting in Marcel's seat when Marcel's been dead for three years?
I wished everyone a friendly "bonjour" and made eye contact with all the men who looked my way. The customers were all men, their ages ranging between thirty and death. There were about ten of them, and at least half had moustaches....more
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Read in January, 2008
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 Engli...more
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Read in May, 2008
this book had me laughing out loud at the protagonist brit's observations on life in france. but it got a little angsty in the final third, which dropped it down a star (really should be a star and a half... otis, when are you going to implement half stars - it was my first feature request :)
but i digress. this is a great airplane or beach read and i'm definitely going to read the first of the two books soon (i have it at home but this was so entertaining that i'm thinking about buying i...more
but i digress. this is a great airplane or beach read and i'm definitely going to read the first of the two books soon (i have it at home but this was so entertaining that i'm thinking about buying i...more
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Read in June, 2007
In the sequel to A Year in the Merde, Paul goes on a disastrous holiday with his new French girlfriend -- first to the Dordogne countryside, where he manages to nearly poison her mother by accident and second, to the beach near La Rochelle, where he ends up having to babysit her lascivious lush of a father. Finally returning to Paris, Paul finds out that construction of the independent tea shop he is trying to open is behind schedule due to lax French workers and an absent lawyer.
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Read in August, 2007
I read A Year In The Merde last year and really enjoyed it. I'm a bit of a Francophile, so it was interesting to see France from a Brit's perspective. This sequel was just as enjoyable as the first. I just love his writing style - he has a great sense of humor. I look forward to the next book, which I think comes out next Spring here in the US.
Now if I could just see France for myself!
Now if I could just see France for myself!
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Read in June, 2006
This is the second book I've read by this author. The first one "A Year in the Merde," was really great. This second book started off really funny but began to drag as I got further into it. As the title implies, this time the author's focus is more on his love life and a bit on the English tea room the author opened in France…or so the story goes.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
people who like France or know a bit of French, not appropriate for young teens
Okay, not the best writing ever, but cute and funny and a fun escape to Paris (and London, too). If you don't know some French, it may be hard to understand everything. If you do know some French and have spent any time in France, you might get a kick out of it. It is a humorous escape to Europe. Fine for a relaxed summer read.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
fun girls/francophiles
hilarious story of british man living in france and struggling with relationships. his depiction of french social idiosychrosies is spot on.
i read much of this while in bed and deathly ill, and it made me laugh out loud many times.
pas mal, eh?
i read much of this while in bed and deathly ill, and it made me laugh out loud many times.
pas mal, eh?
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Read in April, 2008
I loved the first one by Stephen Clarke - "A Year in the Merde". Laughed my head off. This one is funny so far, too, but the plot is verrry thin so far. I'll hang in and see if the story picks up...hopefully that will happen soon. I'll report back!
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who has a love-hate relationship with the french
Quite funny, not as good as the first one, though (but maybe it's just because the jokes and portraits of French life are repeating themselves). Nonetheless, a lot of fun for anyone who's ever had to deal with the French.
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Read in March, 2008
This book has it's funny moments and I liked the ending, but I didn't like this as much as A Year in the Merde. Although it's necessary for the "merde" part, Paul's sleeping around is starting to bother me.
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Read in March, 2008
reading a lot of travel books these days since I get to travel... they are usually not allowed if I'm not going to be able to get overseas. A good book, not as good as the first Merde book.
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Read in September, 2006
recommends it for:
Francophiles
I read this book right before leaving for Paris and it adequately prepared me for the absurdity that was to ensue. A hilarious account of life and love in France.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone who read A Year in the Merde.
Well, it wasn't quite as good as the first one. The wrap-up was less than satisfying.
Still, I'll read the third as soon as it's released in paperback...
Still, I'll read the third as soon as it's released in paperback...
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Read in June, 2008
A fun easy read. I like Clarke's writing style and he has some great anecdotes. If you liked A year in the Merde, this is more of the same.
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Read in January, 2008
Worth reading if you liked the first, but not as funny. There are not as many (mis)adventures and the plot is a little weak.
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A light, funny, quick read. Not much brainpower required, which is good, because I'm lacking in that department these days.
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Not as good as his first "A Year in the Merde." The book was slow, and lacked that laugh-out-loud factor I loved in book 1.
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Not as good as the first -- probably because some of the humor is similar -- but has its funny moments.
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Not as good as the first one but still full of interesting observations about the French/British gap.
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