Europäisch für Anfänger: Roman

Paul West #6

by Stephen Clarke, Ingo Herzke (Translator)

Der Engländer Paul West wird nach Brüssel gerufen: Seine launische ehemalige Geliebte, Élodie, arbeitet für die EU. Sie braucht seine Hilfe – angeblich soll er verhindern, dass Großbritannien sich für den Brexit entscheidet. Paul weiß zwar nicht so recht, wie er zur EU steht, aber die Stelle ist gut bezahlt, und er braucht das Geld. Also nimmt er den Job begeistert an, doch schnell wird klar, dass Élodie etwas verheimlicht. Verfolgt sie womöglich ganz andere Ziele? Gemeinsam mit seiner klugen und attraktiven Kollegin Manon versucht Paul herauszufinden, welche Rolle er und sein Land wirklich in Brüssel spielen ...

Genres: Fiction, Humor, France, Travel

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Stephen Clarke is the bestselling author of seven books of fiction and nonfiction that satirize the peculiarities of French culture. In 2004, he self-published A Year in the Merde, a comic novel skewering contemporary French society. The novel was an instant success and has led to numerous follow-ups, including Dial M for Merde (2008), 1,000 Years of Annoying the French (2010), and Paris Revealed (2011). After working as a journalist for a French press group for ten years, Paris-based Clarke now has a regular spot on French cable TV, poking fun at French culture.

Reviews

[Musa Kayrak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I really admire Clarke’s way of telling stories full of irony, sarcasm, absurdity, and tortured facts. I truely enjoyed my experience with Merde in Europe. At least I am now able to say shit in different dialects around France. Nonetheless, I should admit that each person has his or her own particular sense of humor and that many people may not like the writer’s approach.

The whole story might be categorised as a light reading but simplicity of the narrative is compansated awkwardness and naivity of protagonist, humor, women, and a friend who is such a sex predator. What’s more, the book gives us a chance to taste a rather harsh mockery of the life as Eurocrat. As a person with such an experience for some years in Lux, I do not think such a sarcasm is offensive but rather funny IMHO. Oh! I miss those days of dunking Speculos into the cafe au lait.

I may claim that apart from the protagonist, characters are not built strongly enough to live the story in reader’s imagination and I would prefer to read more about Jake, the wierdest figure in the book.

The Merde in Europe has left a bittersweet feeling as I finished the book right after the rejection of Brexit deal by the lawmakers of UK with a solid margin. What a sad story for the British people and unfortunately for Europe. I hope that the bill of Brexit would not be a heavy burden on the shoulders of future generations. It should not be that hard to figure out the value of what Schuman and Monnet created when the long journey of European integration is reviewed.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Plážový brak (...i ty mají někdy místo v knihovně).

Kniha nám už dlouho ležela na polici, dostali jsme ji darem. Tedy jsem se rozhodla, že se do ní pustím, protože mi došly knihy od Sandersona.
Bylo to zklamání po všech stránkách (a to jsem od toho veskrze nic nečekala). Vtipné to nebylo, chytré to nebylo, ani to nebylo dobře napsané. Ze šroubovaných metafor mi bylo trapně. Jeden příklad za všechny:
"košile bílá jako Kaliforňanovy zuby." Podotýkám, že v knize nebyl nikdo z Kalifornie.

[Johanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I expected more from this book overall and it's a little of my own fault for going into this read thinking it was non fiction, which I discovered a third through was completely my misunderstanding. But after that it just felt a bit meh because I had expected something a bit different to what I got. Despite that I did try to get into it but it just felt a little meh (sorry!). In saying that, his other novels get pretty good reviews so I'd probably give one of the earlier books a try, maybe.

[Laetitia Devic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than The Merde Factor. I've actually finished this one! Lots of funny moments, good pace, good plot, realistic characters (I think!)

[Mariposa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Je suis assez partagée par ce roman. La fiction se mêle quand même à des éléments véridiques et il est difficile de savoir, parfois, où s'arrête la fiction. J'ai aussi été un peu gênée par ma difficulté à cerner l'opinion de l'auteur sur l'Union Européenne. Est-ce un livre pour ou contre ? Il y dépeint les travers des institutions et surtout de ceux qui y travaillent, parfois de manière assez virulente, et l'on peut voir là de bonnes raisons de critiquer cette bureaucratie énorme. Mais en même temps, son "héros" travaille à maintenir son pays au sein de l'Union après s'être posé la question : serions-nous, nous britanniques, mieux en dehors de l'Union, ou pas ? Et la réponse semble finalement être plutôt oui.

À côté de ça, il explore l'acharnement des médias britanniques à disqualifier l'Europe aux yeux de leurs concitoyens et le double jeu des partis pro-Brexit. Chaque chapitre s'ouvre d'ailleurs par une "citation", extraite des médias britanniques, qui vise à tourner l'opinion publique contre l'Union Européenne en transformant les textes qui en sortent.

Bref, je n'arrive pas à avoir un avis tranché à propos de ce livre. Certains points fictionnels sont too much pour moi et je crois que j'ai eu un peu de mal à entrer dans ce monde des Eurocrates qui ne m'attire aucunement, tel qu'il y est décrit et tel qu'on peut l'apprécier tous les jeudis soir Place Lux.

[Mark Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest in the Paul West Merde series sees our protagonist helping out with the whole upcoming EU referendum, by being employed by the French government in Brussels to help with the vote to Remain. What happens is a witty and entertaining farce, with double crossings and back stabbings, that tries to make light of the whole shit show before the actual vote happened.

Yes, this book was released before the vote but actually perfectly captures both the mood of the UK and the continent, exposes some of the absurdities and lies through fiction and with hindsight, living post-vote and outcome, actually makes me even more sad in some ways. But because of that it is both poignant and telling of a very specific time in our ongoing history. Its a great read on its own or part of the series. Merde!

[Bukhari · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been years since I last read the Merde series by Stephen Clarke, preferring his more factual historical books. Having read this, I decided that it wasn't worth the several hours spent on it. Paul West is roped in to help his ex, Elodie, who is an MEP in Brussels to help turn the tide of opinion just before the Brexit referendum. The characters are nutty as always and the humour between cultural differences between the French and the English is omnipresent as ever, but I sense that Clarke's creative juices are beginning to run dry. The jokes seem desperate at times, and the plot, well, was all over the place. Definitely, my least favourite of the series.
I guess I'll start sticking to his more factual books from now on.

[Mandy Lehti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merde in Europe, the sixth installment in Stephen Clarke’s Paul West series, is a laugh-out-loud, sharply witty dive into the absurdities of European politics and cultural clashes. Clarke continues to masterfully blend humor with keen social observation, following Paul West as he navigates Brussels, the EU Parliament, and the often chaotic world of diplomacy. The series’ trademark blend of sarcasm, farce, and sharp cultural commentary is alive and fully charged in this installment.

Paul West remains an endlessly entertaining protagonist: charmingly naive, hilariously awkward, and perfectly positioned to stumble into the most ridiculous, politically charged situations imaginable. Clarke’s talent for turning bureaucracy into comedy shines as Paul grapples with French MEPs, dubious policies, and the chaos of Brexit-related intrigue. The result is a satirical yet insightful portrayal of European politics absurd at times, but oddly believable, and always funny.

From debates over euro notes and English Channel renaming to questions about bagpipes, bingo, and bacon crisps, the humor is constant, clever, and culturally sharp. Clarke’s pacing keeps the story lively while layering in political satire that will resonate with readers familiar with EU intricacies or simply those who enjoy a good comedic romp through international absurdities.

Fans of humor-driven fiction, travel satire, and politically tinged comedies will delight in this installment. Merde in Europe is uproarious, smart, and endlessly entertaining — a perfect blend of cultural critique and laugh-out-loud moments.

[Henry James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, want to give a 3.5 ( but can't ). This is the book I would have loved to have written - but the author did it first. It's an excellent observation of what is truly going on in Brussels - and I believe the author was able to quickly pivot to the Brexit debate - for which I also believe he took an astonishingly even-handed pen to - well done to him. I did particularly love how he has seamlessly carried on with the characters from the 'Merde' series.

[Robert Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I am a HUGE Francophile and Europhile, but I am not European. I found this book to be entertaining on a cultural level (highlighting the massive bureaucracy linked to the European Union and insight into the campaign for and against the Brexit) and on a linguistic level (using the support of minority languages as a means to attempt to a political means). The plot is alright, but nothing special. There’s some great lines in the book.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately a little too over-engineered and with a ridiculous story
ine for my liking, although Iappreciate the exaggerated style is the point. The writing is fabulously funny and reminds me of every meeting at the European Commission in Brussels, but the storyline lets it down, not to mention the characterisation - I simply hated every single character including the narrator, as unbelievably annoying.

[Andrzej · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts with long list of "anonymous" sources, who helped to uncover all EU administration secrets. Thus, I happily expected kind of "Sodoma" (that's about Vatican by a French author), but written in a British way, i.e. more concretes, less gossips, advanced sense of humour. It was bitterly disappointing in all those areas. I listened to an audiobook of Polish edition with speed factor 1,25 and still hardly managed to reach the half of the book. Don't waste your time on that.

[Kateřina Boušková roz. Zlesáková · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Clarke se s každou další knihou zlepšuje. Anebo je to tím, že některé postavy už znáte a tak je berete jako staré známé.
V tomto díle se Paul West snaží přežít v divočině Bruselu a odhalit, co má za lubem Elodie, jeho stará známá. Příběh nebyl tak přitažený za vlasy jako například v díle Merde Impossible, a proto byl snesitelný. Celkově v příbězích ubývá vulgarit a příběhu se člověk častěji zasměje. Stephen Clarke určitě dělá svými knihami krůčky dopředu.

[David Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for Eurosceptics.

[Nevena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant little book. Living in Brussels, being a foreigner and DEFINITELY NOT being a eurocrat, this book made me giggle out loud a few time. The whole machine can be quite ridiculous at times! 😁

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alas entertaining...especially in the year of Brexit fun ;-) It is amusing and a fun read. Time well spent. Short and compact. Sits well within the series, but doesn't open up any new ground (non promises to).

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, funny and on the point (Brexit is just around the corner).

Let us not forget...eye opening:))

[Haven Hightower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is meh but the Brussels bits are ha.

[Alek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as brilliant and amusing as previous Merdes, but still nice to read.

[Cyriel Rademacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best in the series, but definately enjoyable.

[Jana Kovářová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dala bych spíš 3.5*, příjemné vtipné čtení stejně jako předcházející díly Merde. :)

[Ieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love “Paul West” books, really funny. Probably more of a guy’s book than anything romantic for a woman. By I’m a woman and I love the humour in them. Hope there is a next one coming out soon.

[Mek · Rating 3 out of 5]

pár zajímavých postřehů, jinak nůďo - nejlepší od autora je Tak pravil hlemýžď

[Nonethousand Oberrhein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moules-frites politik
Following the events narrated in The Merde Factor , Paul “Pol” West, the most Brit in all Paris, is “transplanted” in Brussels, at the heart of the European Parliament. With all the different nationalities’ quirks ready to be targeted by his English humour, the author focuses his wit mainly on the British passive-aggressive behaviour in European politics, while highlighting some of the paradoxes of MEP way of life. Being written on the eve of the Brexit referendum, the book carries quite a baggage of satirical comedy mixed with the usual “Paul West Gang” (mainly Elodie and Jake) laugh-out-loud antics.

[Petra | LooneyCZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Docela dobré, nenáročné letní čtivo, ale tak trochu ve stylu neurazí, nenadchne. Nejvíc mě pobavily titulky z britských novin v úvodu kapitol a komentáře v poslední části knihy. Nicméně si celá série drží slušnou úroveň.

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, these are getting a bit less funny. Entertaining still, but not as fun as the first ones in this series were.

[Tomas K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book of "merde" series, this time about Brussels and its EU institutions (in the context of brexit referendum). Good and funny book, but less dense than first 2 books of "merde" series.

[Kaska K · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5