Merde Actually by stephen clarke

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I have always been extremely reluctant to make broad and sweeping generalizations about a nation's supposed peculiarities. This is especially the case when such unsound views are derived from mere snippets of personal and rather superficial experiences, and are not supported by a comprehensive and fair appraisal of the much broader picture.

I am by no means an expert in the fields of ethnography or ethnology. However, in my opinion, the proportion of "bad apples" within any given population remains a constant. It does not matter what their origin is, whether they are male or female, what their sexual orientation might be, what culture or religion they adhere to, or what their social position is.

This is precisely the reason why I simply cannot abide such a book. A book that is allegedly funny. But then, one has to ask, how does one define funny? What might be considered humorous by one person could be completely offensive or inappropriate to another.

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Crugz

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This was a light read, which was funny in parts.

It also, at times, showed how a different country functions when it comes to getting jobs done.

This is the first Stephen Clarke book that I have read. I understand that the first of his books was extremely funny.

Perhaps I will give that one a try as well.

I found this book to be an enjoyable escape, with its humorous anecdotes and insights into a foreign culture.

It made me think about how different countries have their own unique ways of doing things.

I look forward to exploring more of Stephen Clarke's works and seeing what other interesting stories he has to tell.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light and entertaining read.

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ZorroBaka

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Overall, I had a rather mixed opinion about this book. On one hand, I thought it was pretty enjoyable. Clarke truly has an excellent sense of humour that managed to make me chuckle on several occasions. Having spent a year living in France myself, I could really relate to many of the details and experiences he described in his writing. It felt as if he had a deep understanding of the place and its culture, which made his insights quite valuable and interesting.

However, there were also some significant drawbacks. The protagonist, Paul, was a real problem. He came across as sexist, which was quite off-putting. His attitudes and actions towards women were not only outdated but also disrespectful. Additionally, I found him to be a rather boring character. There was not much depth or complexity to him, which made it difficult for me to engage with his story on a deeper level. As a result, I struggled to get through the middle section of the book. It felt like it was dragging on and on, and I had to force myself to keep reading.

Despite these flaws, I still think there were some redeeming qualities to the book. Clarke's writing style was engaging, and his sense of humour did manage to lighten the mood at times. However, the issues with the protagonist and the pacing of the middle section did somewhat detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

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Low_Ki

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

It’s 3 and a half, rather.

Sometimes it's funny, yet at times the humor seems rather forced. It's very British and quite "trendy" in many aspects.

I don't think I would read all of his books. This one was sufficient for me.

After getting to know him and his life, I didn't finish the story with that intense "OMG I need to know what comes next" feeling at all.

He should enjoy France with Paul and engage in eating, drinking, and having sex with Alexsa, rather than spending time typing another book.

Perhaps he needs to take a break and focus on living life to the fullest instead of constantly churning out more written works.

Maybe then, his stories will have a more genuine and engaging quality to them.

Until then, I'll wait and see what he comes up with next.

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ODDrocks

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I randomly came across this, and I truly relished it.

It was hilarious, brimming with an unfounded hatred for the French.

If I were to summarize the book, I would say it's about a guy who detests the French yet is completely obsessed with French women.

This combination creates a rather unique and entertaining narrative.

The author seems to have a knack for presenting this strange juxtaposition in a way that keeps the reader engaged.

Whether it's the comical situations the main character finds himself in due to his conflicting emotions or the vivid descriptions of the French women that fuel his obsession, there's always something interesting happening on the pages.

It's a lighthearted read that doesn't take itself too seriously, yet manages to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of fun and a different take on the relationship between a man and a particular culture.

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animeluvr7777

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

The main character in this story seems to have a rather unappealing trait. He has this desire to sleep with every French girl he comes across, and more often than not, it seems that they also have the same inclination towards him.

It's almost as if this is the only role that every female character in the book is assigned. They are simply there to fulfill this carnal need of the main character.

After a while, this becomes extremely tiring and predictable. It makes the story lack depth and variety when it comes to the female characters.

One wishes that the author would have given more thought to developing the female characters in a more meaningful way, rather than reducing them to just objects of the main character's desire.

Perhaps then, the story would have been more engaging and less repetitive.

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Fiberking

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Ok,

Fehlt ab der Hälfte ein bisschen die Tiefe. This statement seems to suggest that there is a lack of depth starting from the middle or later part. It could imply that in a particular context, such as a story, an argument, or a piece of work, the content fails to reach a certain level of profundity or complexity after a certain point.

Perhaps the initial part was engaging and interesting, but as it progresses, it doesn't explore the subject matter in as much detail or offer more profound insights. This lack of depth might leave the reader or observer feeling somewhat unsatisfied or longing for more substance.

To address this issue, it would be beneficial to reevaluate the latter part and consider ways to add more depth. This could involve conducting further research, delving deeper into the topic, or presenting alternative perspectives and interpretations. By doing so, the overall quality and impact of the work can be enhanced, making it more engaging and thought-provoking.

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IT0

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

A dry-humored and witty Englishman named Paul takes us on a journey through a significant part of his life in France. His main objective was to open a British tea room in the country. However, he also reveals his complex love life to the readers.

He begins his story with his girlfriend Florence, with whom he explored much of the French countryside along with her eccentric family. They relished all the delicacies of an authentic French life. But when he almost poisoned Florence's mother, their relationship takes a downward turn.

Paul and Florence split up, and he finds himself unable to stop drinking and has difficulty understanding what he desires from a woman. Nevertheless, with the help of Alexa, he learns valuable lessons and seems to become more of a Frenchman. These two appear to get along much better, and it's great that they end up together.

Culturally, comparing American and French lifestyles is quite interesting. While the French in this novel seem to cherish slower moments, enjoy the fine arts, and embrace love, America seems to be fast-paced yet equally appreciative. Both cultures also seem to be blunt and creative.

The author, Stephen Clarke, mentions in his overview that this story is somewhat based on his own experiences, so it's likely that he was eager to share his personal tale.

As cliché as it may sound, I believe the theme is self-discovery. Throughout the novel, Paul realizes what suits his tastes, both in women and other aspects. He changes to some extent due to the influence of France and its people around him.

Before recommending this novel, here's some background for my reasoning. I'm 17, and I wasn't accustomed to this type of novel as the maturity level was a bit too high for me. I'm not used to reading a book as "saucy" as this one, and frankly, it made me very uncomfortable. So, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is young and easily made uncomfortable. But if you're older and enjoy a quirky and cultural romance, then by all means, give it a read!

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