Customer comments on this Youngstown Ohio Book
Good fun!
I simply don't get the poor reviews! This book is absolutely HILARIOUS! The title, naturally, is a parody of "A Year in Provence" (right down to the font style, I believe.)
It is humour, pure and simple. Yes, the characters are cliche and the book is rampant with stereotypes, but so what? Every stereotype contains a grain of truth. The author has a keen understanding of the nuances of the Parisian reality.
Thank you for some truly great entertainment! This was one of my beach reads this summer. It was a welcome change from a stack of thrillers and mysteries.
It's not Merde, that's for sure.
I bought this book awhile ago, inexplicably moving it to the bottom of my unread book pile in favour of other books. I just never felt in the mood for it. Rather interesting book outside my normal genre of reading. So, this weekend when I was bored out of my skull, I finally decided to give it a try.
I have to admire the book for the cover quote "There are lots of French people who not at all hypocritical, inefficient, treacherous, intolerant, adulterous or incredibly sexy.... They just didn't make it into my book." That's a brutally up front statement, and yet it's very indicative of the book's attitude. And that isn't a bad thing because that's what makes it such an enjoyable read. Is it a work of art? No. But if you know the English and you know the French this book is going to really tickle your funny bone and hold your interest. If you don't know the French or English much of this book might just sail right by you. Much of the joy comes from having experienced (for example) the brasserie waiters, the French strikes, the English unflapability, and seeing them forced together.
If you're not sure if it's up your alley, perhaps you should try the paperback. This book is many things, but happily n'est ce pas merdique :)
A little tedious after a while
I guess I didn't get it. Parts were funny then it got a little tedious. Read it if you think you'll get it.
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