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Merde Actually

Author: Stephen Clarke
Publisher: Black Swan
Category: Book

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

35 reviews
Sales Rank: 5404

Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 4.8 x 1.2

ISBN: 0552773085
EAN: 9780552773089
ASIN: 0552773085

Publication Date: April 3, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: last 70 or so pages are wavy, otherwise in good condition, fine as reading copy, new cover as shown

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Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

magnifique merde!!! July 23, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Stephen Clarke has excelled here with his second installment. He has added more depth and colour to his line up of characters. He has a rapier wit which has improved from the first book and his story arc works better in this book too.From his descriptions of the boy hugging the tea urn to the will he or wont he get the girl the book threads its way wonderfully through the character's evolution.
I am a stickler for a well written story as well as good substance and from that I can thoroughly recommend this series of books as a dose of light hearted humour - and to all those expecting Bill Bryson well I can think of one word- CONNARD!!!!!

1 out of 5 stars

I've Been Merded On! July 19, 2007
1 out of 10 found this review helpful

Stephen Clarke is a funny guy, there is no question of that. He writes fantastically and is a breath of fresh air.

However, I am genuinely absolutely gutted that his books are all novels and not real life true travel writing experiences which make these books just a lot of drivel. Why tell the story in the first person of someone who doesn't even exist?

The whole thing is a con and we have been duped. I don't really care who Paul West is. I want to know who Stephen Clarke is. Travel writing should not be fiction. It just shouldn't be. We the reader should feel part of the journey with the author but you just can't do that with a fictional character.

The writing style gets 5 stars. However, I've only given this one star because of the above.

Would you feel the same way about Bill Bryson if you found out all his had been written from his secluded office in Des Moines rather than he went out and saw the world? No you wouldn't.

I rest my case.

5 out of 5 stars

Nothing Merde about this book July 7, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Steven Clarke returns with his second collection of hapless antics as he valiantly tries to build a life in France, this time to build a tea room in Paris. Dangerous drivers, domineering in - laws, French burocrats and complicated matters of the heart are just some of the hurdles he encounters as he ricochets from one mishap after another.

His insights into the French and their way of life are truly hilarious and this book will make you laugh out loud. Both French and English people would benefit from his experiences and linguists can also learn some interesting words and phrases that they would never find in text books.

For a light - hearted and entertaining read, you could do a lot worse than to grab this book and settle down for good laugh.

4 out of 5 stars

A light hearted humorous novel January 1, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Merde Actually by Stephen Clarke is a light hearted humorous novel. The novel is about an English man (Paul) continued adventure in France. He can be described a little bit of a womaniser, bit ignorant and a little naive of French culture, which he struggles to accept. The novel location is set in Paris and in the beautiful surrounding areas of the countryside and coastal area.

Merde Actually is a real flavour of French culture which can be characterised in a number of ways. The prominent features of French culture include their passion for art, boutiques and the wide distrubution of coffee shops. The novel is clear indication the French are really proud of their culture and even go to great lengths to preserve their cultural values by avoiding foreign intrusion. This novel provides a real appreciation of the endless humour in the minds of the reader.

A few key references include how French people percieve typical English' s society. A prime example to illustrate this point is a cafe shop opened up by Paul and French think that butlers are needed as servants. The English joke about the French way of life as in drinking coffee in a bowl, which perceived as being unusual and weird. These are some of shuttle jokes pointed out in the novel, which are interesting facts and makes you laugh.

Merde Actually is a narration of what life is really like for an English man in France. It is meant be bit of light reading, with a well balanced combination of humour and factual details delivered in some kind of story through a distinguish writing style. Why not sample a taste of French culture by reading Merde Actually?

1 out of 5 stars

Merde Actually? C'est vrai! December 19, 2006
3 out of 7 found this review helpful

Oui, there has never been a more apt title than Merde Actually in my opinion. Perhaps I'm missing something with being female and not having read the first book but I've just given up on this after 100 pages. In fact I chose to file my nails on the tube this morning rather than carry on reading this inane drivel that my mum left at our house (wonder why?). I didn't even smile once reading this, let alone laugh out loud. The 'hilarious' misunderstandings are crow-barred in. Any teenager on a school exchange could come out with more amusing anecdotes than this after a week in France. If you want to read some truly funny observational humour about the folk over on the Continent read Bill Bryson's Neither Here Nor There or some Chris Stewart. Genuinely funny and the author hasn't felt the need to create a fictional character who obviously gets his end away a lot more than he does. Sad.