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The Merde Factor

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The Merde Factor

By: Stephen Clarke
Narrated by: Tom Allen
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About this listen

Englishman Paul West is living the Parisian dream, and doing his best not to annoy the French. But recently things have been going très wrong: His apartment is so small that he has to cut his baguettes in two to fit them in the kitchen. His research into authentic French cuisine is about to cause a national strike. His Parisian business partner is determined to close their tea-room. And thinks that sexually harassing his female employees is a basic human right. And Paul's gorgeous ex-girlfriend seems to be stalking him.

Threatened with eviction, unemployment and bankruptcy, Paul realises that his personal merde factor is about to hit the fan....

©2012 Stephen Clarke (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Funny

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Critic reviews

"The tone is as ever gentle; the humour more hit than miss. It’s lighter than a good millefeuille, and just as moreish." ( FT)
"Some scenarios are so cringe worthy you suspect they may have happened in real life...Paul, the outsider in a deeply patriotic nation, is more than believable with his candour and humour." ( Press Association )
“The prime reason to return to this series is that the books still make you laugh... this has a decent level of humour generally throughout... I liked Mr Clarke's books and sense of humour, and especially his intelligent whimsy, before now, and I found both in this latest volume. I must thank the publishers for my review copy.” ( The Bookbag)
"Like the best of Brit farce it all chuckles along to a hilarious but happy conclusion." (4 Stars, Weekend Sport)
All stars
Most relevant  
Didn't enjoy the perturbed at much as the first book of merde. Loved the story and the way it is written.

Loved the story.

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Afraid Tom Allens performance doesn't seem to fit the character Paul unlike Michael Praed who read A Year in the Merde, so didn't enjoy Merde Factor as much, despite enjoying him on Radio 4. If you enjoyed A Year in the Merde, this is an extension of Paul West's adventures and mis-adventures in France this time often with Jake in tow. Read the book some years ago and remembering how much I enjoyed it thought I would get the audio to enjoy in the car.

An entertaining book especially as a holiday read, in this case a less so enjoyable read.

Great book let down by the performance

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Not funny, not evocative of Paris and full of painful stereotypes and unlikeable characters whilst being racist and clichéd towards the French.

Pointless and not funny

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What would have made The Merde Factor better?

I could only manage a few minutes at the beginning it was so very boring. Nothing grabbed my attention, quickly turned off!

Would you ever listen to anything by Stephen Clarke again?

I enjoyed "reading" Merdé and Merdé actually, 1000 things etc, I just wonder if listening to them makes it less entertaining?

Bored....

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