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Merde Happens (Paperback)

by Stephen Clarke (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
RRP: £6.99
Price: £5.47 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

Merde Happens + Dial M for Merde + Merde Actually
Price For All Three: £15.25

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  • This item: Merde Happens by Stephen Clarke

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  • Dial M for Merde by Stephen Clarke

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  • Merde Actually by Stephen Clarke

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Black Swan (24 Mar 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0552773514
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552773515
  • Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 12.7 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 47,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

Paul West is in deep financial merde. His only way out of debt is to accept a decidedly dodgy job that involves him touring America in a Mini, while pretending to be typically British. Also in the car is Paul's French girlfriend, Alexa, and his American poet friend, Jake, whose main aim in life is to sleep with a woman from every country in the world. Preferably in the back of Paul's Mini. But as the little car battles from New York to Miami, and then heads west, leg-room turns out to be the least of Paul's troubles. His work is being sabotaged, his tour plans are in tatters, and his love life becomes a Franco-American war zone. And as Paul knows better than anyone, when you mix love and war - merde happens...


From the Back Cover

‘Edgier than Bryson, hits harder than Mayle’
The Times

The Englishman - Paul West is in deep financial merde and has taken on a decidedly dodgy job touring America in a Mini.

The Frenchwoman – Alexa, his très Parisienne girlfriend, claims to despise everything American, but ends up getting a little too friendly with the locals for Paul’s liking.

The American - Jake is a poet whose main aim in life is to sleep with a woman from every country in the world.Preferably in the back of Paul's Mini.

As the little car battles from New York to Miami and then heads west, leg room turns out to be the least of Paul's troubles.

His work is being sabotaged; his love-life has become a Franco-American war zone; and as Paul knows better than anyone, when you mix love and war – merde happens …
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Merde Happens
65% buy the item featured on this page:
Merde Happens 3.8 out of 5 stars (30)
£5.47
Merde Actually
13% buy
Merde Actually 3.7 out of 5 stars (39)
£4.21
A Year in the Merde
10% buy
A Year in the Merde 3.8 out of 5 stars (95)
£4.64
Talk to the Snail
7% buy
Talk to the Snail 4.6 out of 5 stars (14)
£4.99
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Customer Reviews

30 Reviews
5 star:
 (15)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Another hilarious Paul West's adventure, 21 Nov 2007
By P. DATTA "Pritthijit Datta" (Stockton on Tees, Teesside) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Merde Happens (Paperback)
The author of best-selling novels "Merde Actually" and "A year in the Merde", published a new novel "Merde Happens". The novel shifts from the traditional setting of Paris to selected locations of the US for a promotional campaign, including New York, historical Boston, beach culture Miami, swamps of the deep south, casino city Las Vegas and movie world Los Angeles. The cast includes funny Englishman Paul, French madamoiselle Alexa and poet Jake. The mission is to promote Royal Britainnic to the Yanks, by driving a mini coated in the distinctive colours of the British flag. Is the mission a looming discaster, bearing in mind of Paul ignorance and naive handling of a tea room shop in Paris? All will be revealed in the novel.

Stephen Clarke is an experienced stand up comedian which is clearly evident whilst reading the novel. Interesting and funny facts about typical American's culture is beatifully and clearly pointed out and narratted in a richly entertaining novel. For example the historical insults inflicted on the idea of an English tea room in Boston, the yanks loving of maple syrup pancake, Shakesphere presence and French influence in America.

I really enjoyed reading "Merde Happens" as it filled with endless humour and colorful range of characters that you would expect to find in the States or maybe it is stereotype views. The novel is well balanced. It consist of a fine blend of facts and humour. The novel is a real pleasure to read.

Out of all previous novels by the author, Merde Happens stands out the most. The plot to the story is well defined and clearly coherent, with sub headings for chapters. The characters are strongly represented in the novel. Overall, a great entertaining and light piece of reading.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best one yet!, 25 Jul 2007
By Booklover (London) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Merde Happens (Paperback)
My entire family has been following the adventures of Paul West. As much as we enjoyed the others, this is the best one yet. Very funny with lots of interesting information about the Americans added to the usual great look at the French.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than ever, 23 Jul 2007
This review is from: Merde Happens (Paperback)
I really think that Clarke takes it to the next level here. There's the same wit and insight as ever, but there's a whole new -- even richer -- field of discovery: the Americas. Paul West (and his adventures) is funnier than ever.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm...
You know that feeling you get when you listen to a third album by a great band and you think there's something not quite right with their latest effort? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. N

4.0 out of 5 stars A fizzy summer book
No poshy litterature but simple, funny reading for the summer holidays. I really enjoyed the light tone and I agree on far most of the typical french habits and remarks that are... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marijke

3.0 out of 5 stars Good in parts but not his best Merde novel to date.
So, Paul West is having some more adventures. This time he is not based in France (or Paris to be precise) but travelling across America "selling" British Tourism to the Americans... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Uncle Barbar

3.0 out of 5 stars Resting on his laurels unfortunately...
A Year in the Merde was laugh out loud funny. Merde Actually was pretty good. This however seems to be an excuse to make some money on the back of the first two books. Read more
Published 9 months ago by N. Green

3.0 out of 5 stars A Step Too Far
The third in the sequence of adventures of Paul West - English expatriate sent to France on business and his misadventures and comic anecdotes. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Gannon

5.0 out of 5 stars A modern-day Moliere
It's a rare author who, after a first best-selling book, is able to continue producing follow-ups of equal quality. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Joanna

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty average
This is a mildly amusing account of a fictitious journey across America, but the book doesn't ever manage to live up to the blurb. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Peter Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarkes got himself out of the merde yet again !
Equally as funny as the other two novels in the Paul West series.Clarke manages to pull it off yet again with humourous situation aplenty on every page. Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. D. Naylor

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun interpretation of the US viewed through English eyes
I enjoyed this comic observation of the US, British and French culture and recognised many characters which brought a smile to my face. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ros

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a patch on Year in the Merde
The story line is ridiculous unless you like farce. Fleetingly funny in parts. I was looking forward to this book after reading A Year in The Merde but it was a big disappointment.
Published 19 months ago by Mr. R. A. Lucas

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