Not a patch on Year in the Merde - Rated 
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.
As it happens, Merde - Rated 
This is a truly execrable book. I have not read Stephen Clarke's earlier works, but from his background and situation in France I can assume that he has some reasonbly acute insights to offer about the experience of living in France. But this book was clearly written on the back of a quick jaunt around a few American cities. The plot and characters are both dreadfully weak, and the book is crammed with some of the most unoriginal observations about the US it's possible to make - the worst example being Clarke's 'witty' riff on the green visa waiver form with its questions about terrorism. There can hardly be a Brit alive who has not made exactly the same joke themselves ("Oh, damn, if only they'd not asked me if I were a terrorist") whilst standing in the immigration line at JFK. It really is scraping the barrel to include it in a book. And as a Brit living in the US, I found the various tired US stereotypes exceedingly wearisome. There are surely better ways to while away the flight to Disneyland.
Life as a Kilt - Rated 
So I'm in the book store, right, and here I see a cover that totally catches my eye. Next thing I know, I've read this book, looking for more! I realized 2 things from this book: One being my humor and luck is very similar to Paul West (my mouth has gotten me into trouble before), and that someone's luck can really change that much! Merde Happens truly lives up to its title. Merde Happens is the 3rd book to star Paul West. Paul is screwed. His tea shop was hit with an extremely hefty fine, so he takes a job with the British Tourism group, where he bear's more than he expected.
Paul's mission, is to come to America, and drive cross country in a mini! He is to promote England as a place of tourism, however, he is competing against other countries for the title. Paul comes to America with his Parisian girlfriend who, may I say has the "typical" outlook on America. Paul's luck goes from bad, to worse, to really bad, to running for the hills, all while he is trying to do his job.
This book is laugh out funny, yet gives an uncanny outlook of America, its diversity, and culture. Being an American, and from NY, this book took on an extra meaning for me, right from the first page when Paul lands in JFK, only to be whisked off into his adventure.
From someone who normally does not enjoy these types of novels, I can safely..or maybe unsafely..say that you will really enjoy this book!
Just off the mark... - Rated
I loved Stephen Clark's other books. As an American, who used to live in the U.K. but has been living in France, I had to grab this one.
I will say this is the one I liked the least. It's kind of English-sterotyped America. I'm also a little miffed as to his treatment of some of our ethnic minorities. Yes, we say Jesus "Hey-zus". Is this a big deal? We actually keep a lot of Spanish pronunciations, like "Portillo" is said "Por-TEE-o" even by non-Spanish speakers. This is the kind of superficial detail he misses. I hope they make some changes to the American edition coming out next spring to avoid offending back home.
He does better with the classic French/British conflicts. He just misses by throwing the American perspective. Jake, though, is classic. I swear I've said a few of these myself. It's a gross exageration but when I'm with fellow English speakers who live here, we tend to start to talk something like that, British, American or Australian. When Paul has to translate between Jake and his own mother, I was laughing out loud.
One really big error I noticed was on the flight he takes to Vegas. He makes it clear that the passenger who wont open his window shade is American, yet, the passenger says "If you don't stop, I'm going to call the hostess". This was very amusing as Americans NEVER call Flight Attendants "air hostesses". This is very typical British phrase that wouldn't be understood in the U.S., let alone used by someone back home.
I hope they straighten that out before the American edition comes out too!
Oh, and please stop adding the "A". We almost always say "U.S." adding the "A" only for sporting events. Ugh. Get it right people!!
Another hilarious Paul West's adventure - Rated 
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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