A Year in the Merde

My wife and I, both of whom are French nationals living in Canada, were laughing out loud throughout the book. It does a great job making fun of innumerable French foibles (a good deal of which consist of thinking that Civilization, decency, and common sense end at the French borders). Paul West, the main character _is_ a bit sophomoric and somewhat obsessed with girls (not all Parisiennes are nymphos but I will forgive him that overgeneralization). And, yes, the story isn't, quite, War and Peace, but it is good enough for its purpose, which is to carry the jokes and criticisms. Besides their funny side, some of the criticisms concern things that are really serious problems in France (strikes, racism, public sector entitlements, lack of new politicians), even if they are presented lightly. That said, I think the humor will best be appreciated by someone who has lived in France for a while. Just having been there on a short vacation does not count. If you can't relate to day to day life in France, the book loses much of its appeal, is just critical, and you are left with a rather lightweight story. Also skip if: - you happen to be French and deprived of a sense of humor - you are looking for any kind of serious analysis. - you are an Ann Coulter fan. Much too subtle for you and Paul actually likes some aspect of France.

"A Year in Merde" is a kind of response to romanticized views of France such as "A Year in Provence." While it's presented as a memoir it is a work of fiction. Our hero, Paul West, is an Englishman who is hired by a French company, allegedly to bring ideas about English tearooms to the French marketplace. The book focuses on both office politics in the company he works for and on West's romantic life in France. The people around him are an interesting cast of characters. Both the people and various events clearly reflect some of Clarke's own experiences in France, exaggerated and otherwise fictionalized of course. Some reflect English stereotypes of the French, and some events and people are more unpredictable The book is really, really funny. It's fairly risque in places, so if you have a problem with that you have been warned. Clarke clearly has a very active fantasy life, and some of that has showed up in the book. Judging by his alter ego, he also has quite an ego himself and can be a bit insufferable. For a more serious treatment of how the French are different, try "Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French," by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow. Better still, read them both.

Stephen Clarke's "A Year in The Merde," is a wonderful antidote to those now too quaint books about Englishmen living in rural France.It is a well written light read, printed in a high power combination of vinegar, lemon juice, and battery acid.Yes, it could be said that Clarke's anti-hero, Paul West is narrow minded, self absorbed, and often unpleasant.Sounds like some of us, at times?Office politics has a dreary familiarlity, worldwide.I am looking forward to further books by Clarke, featuring Paul West.

Here's a fun frolic not just for Francophiles but for all armchair travelers who like their globetrotting mixed with whimsy. Stephen Clarke presents the fictional experiences of an ex pat living in France with large servings of humor, contagious enthusiasm, and a sharp eye for laugh provoking detail. Paul West is an almost thirty something Britisher who is in Paris to open a string of very English tearooms. He has ignored the advice of his pal, Chris, who told him in no uncertain terms not to go to Paris. Chris said the French had a great lifestyle, terrific food, totally uninhibited women, but, and this is the biggie - they were impossible to get along with. "It's permanent payback time," Chris warns, reminding Paul that the French don't like the British one bit. Nonetheless, Paul is in the Eiffel Tower city where he runs into any number of obstacles, whether it be recalcitrant employees or a tyrannic boss. On the plus side he also enjoys a bevy of willing beauties. All of this is related with colorful asides as listeners learn how to fend for themselves in Paris, and laugh at Paul's mishaps. Voice performer Gerard Doyle's voice is spot on Paul - he's a bit husky with a tint of Upper Class British accent. It's a pleasant slightly sophisticated reading with no overplaying of the almost non-stop comedy. Listen, laugh, and enjoy. - Gail Cooke

This book was hilarious, moved along at a brisk clip and was dead-on accurate about the French and about Americans living in Paris. I could barely put it down. It may be fiction but it definitely had the ring of truth! There was a little too much frat boy-style focus on trying to get laid, but it didn't bother me that much. If you liked "Le Divorce," "A Year in Provence" and David Sedaris's Paris essays in "Me Talk Pretty One Day," you'll love this. I hope to read more from Mr. Clarke.