Stephen Clarke, A Year in the Merde, (New York: Bloomsbury; 2004), 276 pages.
Stephen Clarke's book is a fictional account of an English man's year of residence in Paris. Hired by a French company to open a chain of English tea rooms, a smart-alec Englishman finds himself juggling a group of grumbling and barely competent French employees, a devious and manipulative boss, and a succession of promiscuous girlfriends (including the boss's daughter). He becomes immersed in French culture and finds it amusing and confusing. After a series of adventures that include a possible purchase of a house in the country, he eventually establishes an English tea room without the control of a treacherous boss.
The best aspect f Clarke's book is his critique of the French from an English perspective. Clarke's prose is witty, acerbic, and very funny, despite is tendency to drift off into discussions of sex. If the subject offends, be warned. Yet, the principal character in the book is a 27 year old single man, so it is to be expected that this subject should cross his mind. Clarke's critique of life in Paris are hilarious and cruel, but typically English. An interesting aspect is how the main character starts to appreciate Parisian life over the duration of his stay. Upon his return to England, he gains a fresh perspective on English life including the ways of life of the typical Englishman. Alas,he eventually admires and appreciates many aspects of Parisian life.
This book will appeal to lovers of French culture, people interested in the differences between the English and French, people interested in travel books, particularly books about Paris. The book's is also an interesting story that hows that culture shock is real, and that an outside can come to terms with difficult situations and conditions to achieve some success. On many levels, this is an enjoyable book.
