[ 
Mood: Amused ]
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Currently: Listening to A Book on CD on the History of the Papacy ]
Stephen Clarke’s first book, A Year in the Merde, is a very funny look at modern day France through the eyes of English advertising executive Paul West. The sequel finds Paul in the midst of setting up his new tea room, while also trying to develop his new relationship while not quite getting over an old one.
In the course of this book, Paul learns about living in the French country side, how simple household chores can be metaphors for sex, how a rusty bicycle can show the difference between residents and tourists, how to deal with dishonest architects, the French film industry. He also makes a return visit to England and sees through French eyes the horror of the British office party and how the British work in general.
Interstingly enough, it is the lack of office shenanigans that weaken this book. This was where author Clarke delivers a sharply honed commentary on the status of French society. This deficit, which he tries to make up for with observations on French family life and British office lifewas, was very noticible. The maturing the main character also may be one of the reasons for the weakness as it is Paul`s slightly frat like attitude that is so fresh in the first book. Still Clarke is a keen observer and commentator on French society and that makes the book worth reading.
I have already ordered the third.