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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this--not because it was so good, but because I expected it to be far, far worse than it was.
I was pleasantly surprised by this--not because it was so good, but because I expected it to be far, far worse than it was.
Funny, but not well-written.
This novel starts strong with a snarky (and not altogether false) commentary on the quirks of French culture. This would have been a great read if Clarke had left it at that--a David-Sedaris-meets-Dave-Barry satire. Instead, he let it unravel into a weak, predictable, and unconvincing plot.
This novel starts strong with a snarky (and not altogether false) commentary on the quirks of French culture. This would have been a great read if Clarke had left it at that--a David-Sedaris-meets-Dave-Barry satire. Instead, he let it unravel into a weak, predictable, and unconvincing plot.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. Its redeeming quality was all the spot-on cultural references. I"m glad that when I return to France, I'll know how to get a normal-sized coffee, and not an espresso-sized cafe au lait. But the general plot left me wanting more and I really couldn't have cared less about all of Paul's sexual escapades or his general downer attitude. Had the character not felt like everything was merde all the time, I might have enjoyed it a little more.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
What a nice summer read, especially if one is an expat in any country of Europe (or beyond) going through the stages of assimilation! I laughed at every bit of it: the way how the author pinpointed local stereotypes and structured his jokes, or better to say humorous comments coming up in the main character’s head. Don’t expect much of an answer to the existential utopia of living la vie en rose, but get ready for a satirically written story roasting not even the French culture - rather those individuals who think they know how to play their hypocritical games. Merci,
Monsieur Clark.
Monsieur Clark.
Read this in anticipation of Paris, but it was not worth it. I could not care much about this young man, and the insights into French life and culture were not terribly illuminating. Yet, I finished it, despite being a firm believer in Nancy Perl's rule!
lighthearted
fast-paced
This is a fictional story about an Englishman brought to Paris by the VD company to open up some English tea rooms. This is pretty much a typical fish out of water story, with the English guy, Paul, trying to figure out how to get along with Parisians and learn the language and get laid. The latter being his main goal.
There were some laugh out loud moments and this was a pretty quick read. The plot was okay, somewhat disappearing with Paul's quest for French woman.
There were some laugh out loud moments and this was a pretty quick read. The plot was okay, somewhat disappearing with Paul's quest for French woman.