Evianers Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Has anyone read this book by Stephen Clarke? What did you think of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Yes I did read it, not my favorite Francophile tale by a long way - I suppose I am just the wrong age to be endlessly fascinated by the main character and his romantic ambitions. Having said that there are some amusing sections and light hearted stereotypes - I read the sequel too, more a question of travelling in hope ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 I read it a couple of years ago, and I can't remember much about it - so that probably says it all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 There's a funny thing, Dick. I'm just re-reading it. The fact that I was halfway through before I realised that I'd read it before tells you how memorable it is.Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 For what it's worth, his books are available from Amazon.fr and there are 'bundle' special offers.http://www.amazon.frI only found out recently that they do English books! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samdebretagne Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 I thought it was hilarious, and laughed out loud several times while reading it. I've probably lent it to 10-15 people by now, and I haven't had any complaints. I've also read the sequel "Merde Actually", which was not quite as funny, but still okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Didn't like it. Neither did my mum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Well I think the clue was in the title [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Anglia Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Inclined to agree with Miki. I didn't like it, it didn't make me laugh, and I even sensed a dislike of France and the French coming through it. Not my type of book.Peter Mayle may have an awful lot to answer for, but at least he seemed to LIKE the French and to LOVE France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistral Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I appreciated the slightly critical side and particulary his view on how french businesses are run (or not) I felt there was more than a grain of truth in that. On the other hand, chapter-loads about his (I'm assuming) imaginary love life was extremely uninteresting and the french women seemed very stereotyped to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I liked the first one, with its humorous, but true to life take on French bureaucacy and the backhander culture, but thought the second one was dire (unless you like too much detail about the writer's rather pathetic sex life) and didn't manage to finish it. So it sounds like I'm with Mistral on this one.There are still worse books about French life though. [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Yes, there are worse books - beware the Olive Route - Ms Drinkwaters latest tome ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I brought it at the airport last weekend and had read it in 2 days. It was funny but not one that will stay in my mind for long. But I did enjoy it as a light read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 [quote user="Russethouse"]Yes, there are worse books - beware the Olive Route - Ms Drinkwaters latest tome ![/quote]Oh crikey I read one of her 'Olive' books once (I may even have bought it myself [:'(]) and it was the worst book ever written (not just the worst I've ever read, the worst ever written). Don't give Waterstones your £7.99, give it to the man with the dog sitting outside. Carol, if you're reading this, love, give it up. You were passably adequate in All Creatures Great And Small, but you're no author. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 ... but she is getting paid for it. Is there no justice in this world? The number of struggling writers with talent... and Ms Drinkwater gets published and the books sell. [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thibault Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Didn't like either of the M***e books. Read three "Olive" books and thought they were better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 It just shows how tastes vary. The Carol Drinkwater books were certainly among those I had in mind with the 'worse books' comment, on which RH so perceptively picked up. The woman should stick to acting. The books which I have read are - to me - twee, self-indulgent sentimental tripe which read like exercises on a creative writing course rather than something which the author really wants to say. I find her style intensely annoying and lacking in the depth that the subject matter really needs. But plenty of people like the books, so they can't be all bad. The Merde books (well, the first one anyway) are much better written though they certainly aren't going to win any prizes for literature. For a humorous look at French life that also gets over some more serious lessons about the country and its people I would recommend George East. He's not a Nobel prize winner either, and he can stretch credibilty a bit too far at times, but at least he can write properly and his stuff is enjoyable.But I know that a lot of people don't like him either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 I have not read the "Merde" books but that word would describe the Drinkwater woman's efforts. Truly excruciating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 I was amazed to see another 'Olive' book advertised - I AM NOT BUYING IT - I DO NOT WANT IT FOR CHRISTMAS - yes, I'm shouting ![:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Having been holed up in intensive care for a week with nothing better to do than listen to monitors beeping missives about my bodily functions and being dragged to various hitech machines to be photographed, echographed and magnetographed. I have read a selection of books that visitors have left at my house.I read both the Merde books and found the writer rather Brysonesque but funnier. I read the last of the Squashing Lemon books which seems a con as most of the stories were old ones and he still claims to be destitute after 3 well selling books.Read about a woman and a vineyard in Begerac with verbose minutae on viniculture a thoroughly depressing book.Colin Edwards the Motorcycle racers Biography was not very uplifting either.But was cheered up with the latest three Alexander McCall Smith books.Further bored to tears by and want to find out who left The L.A. Diaries by james Brown at my house? It is a waste of paper and ink.I am sure I read some other books but cannot remember them at the moment.Ahh did get a crisp recent MCN and some bike mags so was very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 [quote] I read both the Merde books and found the writer rather Brysonesque but funnier [/quote]Dog,First, I sincerely hope you are feeling a lot better very quickly...Secondly, did you hit your head ? Bryson and Clake in the same mould...not a chance.Bryson rarely writes a bad word, let alone a bad book, I have been spotted laughing out loud at Mr Brysons observations, probably says much about me I guess[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 'Thunderbolt Kid' in your Christmas stocking then Miki ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Funny enough, we talked about it a while ago and had decided to get it back in the UK at Xmas but my bet is that Tina has told one of the kids and so, I expect to find it in my sock !! I heard a report that as normal with Mr B, it is very funny and a return of the infamous Stephen Katz as well !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 My mother has read it - my sister had it on pre order from Amazon for her and it was delivered on the publishing date - I know she liked it (she's a big Bryson fan) but I'll see if I can find out more about it, when I see her tomorrow.I'm on a Philippa Gregory trilogy at present (historical novels) but a book I found really good this year was Jenny Tomlin's 'Behind Closed Doors' (Jenny Tomlin is Martine McCutcheon's mother and now lives in France) The book is about her childhood in London, I guess in the 50s - 60s, a compelling read IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 I am not sure exactly why Stephen Clarkes Merde books reminded me of Bryson it must have been the medication and boredom. I dreamt of mysterious circumscribed polygons and discovered how to square the circle in the most indecent meanderings of my feeble mind before realising I had compared Clarkes book with Bill not the Greek mathematician bloke.I am a simple organism and I just find Bill Bryson tries too hard to make a cheap joke just about every line and his humor doesn't hit my funny bone like Tom Sharpe does.I have discovered that in France once the Docs get their hands on you they don't let you go. I reckon they charge for what they have done so every test and examination rings up on the cash reigister whereas in UK the Docs get paid whether they do anything or not.I had never ever been in hospital before and not been registered with a Doctor for 25 years and I would not recommend being a veggie in a French hospital the food was hilarious. Just because I only eat vegetables doesn't mean I like all of them - I detest celery and whoever prepared the slop had a myriad of ways of serving them. I had never had a blood or cholestrol test but they had a great fun even testing my pee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now