- Paperback: 254 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan (7 July 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1405046198
- ISBN-13: 978-1405046190
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 773,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Daily Express
'Hugely entertaining memoir ... frequently laugh-out-loud funny'
East Anglian Daily Times
'A fast-paced, tapas-fuelled, sleep-deprived ride through Madrid before it was even a glint in David Beckham's eye.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a gem of a read. If you are reading it and have never been abroad in your life before you'll find this highly enjoyable, if you've ever lived abroad you'll find it hilarious and if, like me, you've actually lived in Madrid you'll find yourself howling with empathetic laughter and just recognising so many truths about living in the great city and living among its people. So - yes: the ridiculously long (and delicious) WORKING lunches and returning to work a tad tired (borracho) is something I've encountered too (along with the subsequent bouts of farting that Tim delightfully recounts!). Yes - it's a nightmare to actually have what a hot blooded Anglo Saxon male would see as a "full" relationship with a senorita from Spain ( I was once told "calientan pero no queman - they'll warm you but they won't burn you) as per Tim's Odyssey of trying to find a true and "full on" relationship. The idiosyncracies of Madrilenos and foreigners living in Madrid is wonderfully told by Tim. I really do recommend this book if you've lived in Madrid or any of Spain's other wonderful cities (I actually lived round the corner from Tim's first apartment on Calle Lope De Vega in the centre - though at a different time) but even if you have not visited Spain (and by that I mean the REAL Spain) this is a great read and will warm yer cockles throughout. Tim seems a top bloke as well - down to earth and like any other single bloke from England when he first arrives in Madrid. If I ever bump into you in Madrid, Tim - te invito tomar una copa. Top marks!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have never been to Madrid but, having read Tim Parfitt's 'A load of Bull', it is now on my list of places to visit.
During the late eighties the author was sent by his employer to Madrid to help launch Spanish Vogue - his six week stint stretching to almost a decade!
'A Load of Bull' not only gives a delightful account of the characters he met, offering an insight into their way of life, but also details his comical attempts to get a grip on the lifestyle, the language and the senoritas! The easy style in which it's written, along with the author's sense of humour, makes it very readable.
It's funny - there were many chuckles and several belly-laughs too, but what I really like about this book is its honesty. Tim Parfitt seems like an unpretentious, nice guy and truly made me feel I was there living it alongside him.
If you are thinking about living and working in Spain then you should read this book, and even if you're not you should read it anyway and just enjoy the ride...
During the late eighties the author was sent by his employer to Madrid to help launch Spanish Vogue - his six week stint stretching to almost a decade!
'A Load of Bull' not only gives a delightful account of the characters he met, offering an insight into their way of life, but also details his comical attempts to get a grip on the lifestyle, the language and the senoritas! The easy style in which it's written, along with the author's sense of humour, makes it very readable.
It's funny - there were many chuckles and several belly-laughs too, but what I really like about this book is its honesty. Tim Parfitt seems like an unpretentious, nice guy and truly made me feel I was there living it alongside him.
If you are thinking about living and working in Spain then you should read this book, and even if you're not you should read it anyway and just enjoy the ride...
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I picked up Mr Parfitt's book on the way to the airport before I went on holiday and had read it within my first two days.
It is written in a very readable style and genuinely made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions.
An absolute must read for anyone who has ever lived amongst "foreigners" or is ever thinking of doing so.
It is written in a very readable style and genuinely made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions.
An absolute must read for anyone who has ever lived amongst "foreigners" or is ever thinking of doing so.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Slow start and end, but generally not bad
I must say, I found it took quite a few pages to get into this book when he was describing his move to Vogue in Madrid. But I think it was a neccessary evil to set the scene. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nilito
Read it
If you are a Brit heading for the British ghettos of the Costas forget this book. But if you are looking for something that will accelerate your understanding of the real spanish... Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2009 by Colin Martin Mcelwee
don't waste your time on this book
I bought this book as a gift for my English boyfriend as we are planning to visit my native Madrid soon and I thought it would be a good idea for him to get a humorous introduction... Read more
Published on 13 April 2008 by Anigriv
a load of bull
the title of the book says it all. Though it starts out okay it ends up with just a load of name dropping and not much insight into Spain - Try Ghosts of Spain or On the Road to... Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2007 by Jacqueline Frances Mccord
Estupendo!
I loved this book. It had me in stitches. I couldn't put it down and read it in record time. Reminded me of my long summer in Spain and various holidays I've had. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2007 by S. Lindie
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