Well, well, well, Mr. Clarke, where do I even begin?

This book is really good fun.

I obtained it from a friend who was giving it away.

It is extremely light reading. However, if you have a little knowledge about the two countries involved, namely England and France, then you will surely have a good laugh while reading it.

The story itself is not particularly special. In fact, it is the way the author writes that makes the book truly worth reading. Additionally, all the cultural observations are hilarious, covering both sides of the Channel.

This book kept me excellent company during a long-distance flight. It was like having a witty and entertaining companion by my side, making the journey pass by more quickly and enjoyably. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and humorous read that also offers some interesting insights into different cultures.

Review

"'Edgier than Bryson, hits harder than Mayle' The Times"

Product Description

A year after setting foot in France, the Englishman Paul West is still grappling with several fundamental queries. What is the most effective way to frighten a gendarme? Why aren't there any health warnings on French nudist beaches? And is it truly polite to have an affair with your boss' mistress? Paul opens his English tea room and (temporarily) transforms into a Parisian waiter. He samples the delights of typically French hotel-room afternoons. On a return visit to the UK, he witnesses the full horror of a British office party through Parisian eyes. Meanwhile, he persists in his search for the perfect French mademoiselle. But will Paul discover eternal love, or will it all culminate in disaster? In his second comedy of errors, Paul West continues to undermine the entente cordiale. Author's apology: "I'd just like to express my apologies to all the suppository enthusiasts out there, as in this book, there are no suppositories. However, there are numerous courgettes, and I view this as progress. From suppositories to courgettes - I believe it demonstrates that I'm evolving as a writer." Stephen Clarke.

Das Buch fand ich irgendwie fast noch witziger als das erste.

Haha, ich mag Paul, oder wie die Franzosen es meistens aussprechen - "Pol". Stephen Clarke schreibt echt witzig und die Situationen, in die Paul gerät, sind so witzig, auch wenn sie alltäglich sind.

Anfangs reist er mit seiner Freundin Florence aufs Land, wird dort ihrer Familie vorgestellt und gleich voll in die Hausarbeit und die Dorfgemeinschaft eingebunden, was Paul eher nicht so zusagt.

Schließlich gelingt es ihm tatsächlich, seinen englischen Teesalon in Paris zu eröffnen - auch wenn er aus Geldmangel im Keller des Teesalons auf einer Matratze schlafen muss. Und dann ist da ja auch noch seine Ex-Freundin Alexa, die sich zur Zeit in London aufhält und für die er immer noch sehr viel übrig zu haben scheint.

Und ich bleibe dabei - irgendwie würde ich Paul West gerne mal persönlich kennenlernen. Nur geht das eben nicht, weil er gar nicht existiert. Merde.

However, I really enjoyed reading about his adventures. The way he dealt with the various situations was both humorous and relatable. It made me laugh out loud at times.

I think the author did a great job of creating a character that readers can easily connect with. Paul's flaws and insecurities made him seem more human and endearing.

Overall, this book was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a light-hearted story.

Even though Paul may not be a real person, his fictional world was so vivid and entertaining that it felt like I was a part of it.

I can't wait to see what other adventures the author has in store for us in future books.

**Title: The Fun of Reading**

Reading is an activity that offers countless joys and benefits.

It allows us to escape into different worlds, explore new ideas, and expand our knowledge.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure story, a thought-provoking novel, or an informative non-fiction book, reading has the power to captivate our minds and transport us to places we've never been.

One of the greatest pleasures of reading is the ability to lose ourselves in a good book.

We can forget about the stresses of our daily lives and immerse ourselves in the story.

As we turn the pages, we become invested in the characters and their experiences, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

This emotional connection makes reading a truly immersive and fulfilling experience.

In addition to the entertainment value, reading also has many practical benefits.

It improves our vocabulary, enhances our language skills, and boosts our cognitive abilities.

It can also help us to become more empathetic and understanding, as we are exposed to different perspectives and experiences through the books we read.

So, pick up a book today and discover the fun and rewards of reading for yourself!

Some Funny Moments, but...

The movie had its share of funny moments that managed to bring a few smiles to the audience's faces. However, as many reviewers have pointed out, it also suffered from an overabundance of sex-oriented storylines. This aspect seemed to overshadow other potentially interesting elements of the plot.

Additionally, the characterization of the women in the movie was rather one-dimensional and got tiring very quickly. They were often reduced to stereotypes or objects of desire, lacking depth and complexity. This not only made it difficult for the audience to empathize with them but also detracted from the overall quality of the movie.

While the funny moments were enjoyable, the excessive focus on sex and the weak female characters ultimately left a lot to be desired. It's a shame that the filmmakers didn't put more effort into developing a more well-rounded and engaging story.

The first book was truly hilarious and filled with a unique charm that made it an absolute delight to read.

However, when it came to the second book, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment.

In terms of the plot, it seemed to drag on and on, lacking the same level of excitement and momentum that the first one had.

I soon found myself growing tired of Paul's continuous sexual exploits and obsessions. It felt as if this aspect was overemphasized and became a bit tiresome after a while.

Moreover, I deeply missed the witty cultural jokes that were so abundant in the first instalment. Those jokes added a layer of depth and entertainment to the story, and their absence in the second book was quite noticeable.

Overall, while the first book left me with high expectations, the second one unfortunately failed to meet them.

I read "A Year In The Merde", which is Book 1 of the Paul West books, and I truly relished it.

I'm well aware that it might not be to everyone's taste. It was filled with humor, love, adventure, and a great deal of silliness.

This particular book was quite similar in nature. It did make references to events that occurred in the initial story. So, not having read the first one could potentially be a bit of a hindrance for you.

I couldn't recall all the details of the previous book as I had read it a couple of years ago. However, that didn't in any way diminish the enjoyment I derived from this book.

This was a delightfully funny and quirky story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It had a charm of its own that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The author's unique style of writing and the interesting characters made it a truly entertaining read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light-hearted and humorous story.

Paul West has been residing in Paris for a year now (ever since the events of the last book). He is on the verge of opening his new tea cafe and has a new girlfriend by his side. The story leads us through his numerous struggles, not only with the language but also with the government and women.

Eventually, Paul ends up back in London, reunited with his old (French) girlfriend and with the successful tea shop in Paris (of which he now owns 49% with the help of his old boss). It seems that Paul has gained a significant amount of confidence during his time in France, yet he still manages to find himself in trouble at every turn.

Particularly in the beginning of the book, he has difficulties at his girlfriend's family home and with her parents. I had forgotten how much I adored the original novel until I began reading this installment. It is truly hilarious how Paul can get into so much trouble in France and with the French people, and yet still manage to land on his feet.

I greatly appreciate the use of French within the text to explain jokes and misunderstandings. It made me feel like I was learning a great deal without it feeling overly instructive. However, the sub-plot about Alexa's art show was rather dull, as was the storyline involving the Chef Paul was working with at Waterloo back in London - it felt like too much for an already jam-packed book.

This book is a big let down compared to the first one. Sadly, this is often the case with sequels. In the first book, Paul West's charm lay in his naivety and his struggle to adapt and understand his new surroundings. However, in this installment, the focus has shifted more towards his poor choices in relationships. It also reveals his selfish nature at times, as well as his immaturity.

Most of the time, the story doesn't flow into an interesting narrative. It seems a bit disjointed and lacks the engaging quality that made the first book so appealing. One has to wonder if this is just a one hit wonder. Only time will tell if the author can redeem himself and bring back the magic that was present in the first book.

Perhaps the author should have spent more time developing the characters and the plot in a more cohesive way. As it stands, this book feels like a missed opportunity to build on the success of the first one.

A truly fun read indeed!

Mr. Clarke's brutally honest and hilarious English humor remains consistent and unwavering throughout his numerous (mis)adventures as he traverses across the beautiful and diverse landscapes of France.

The way he presents his experiences, with a unique blend of self-deprecation and sharp wit, keeps the reader completely gripped from the very first page until the very end.

Each chapter is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and unexpected twists that make it impossible to put the book down.

Whether he is getting lost in a small French village, having a disastrous encounter with a local, or simply trying to navigate the complex and often confusing French culture, Mr. Clarke's humorous take on it all makes for an entertaining and highly enjoyable read.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh and keep you entertained, then this is definitely one to add to your reading list.

Unfortunately, this one is no where near as good as the first one. It was just a simple story about a guy. He was drinking alcohol, and then he got drunk. After that, he did some stupid things. And the next day, he regretted what he had done. What's more, in this story, he was constantly talking about thinking about sex, trying to have sex and actually having sex. I had expected something much wittier and more interesting. But sadly, I was really let down. It seemed that the story lacked depth and creativity. It was just a rather ordinary and unappealing narrative. I was hoping for something that would really grab my attention and make me think, but this one failed to do so.