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  • The Merde Factor

  • By: Stephen Clarke
  • Narrated by: Tom Allen
  • Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (34 ratings)
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The Merde Factor cover art

The Merde Factor

By: Stephen Clarke
Narrated by: Tom Allen
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Summary

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

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)

What listeners say about The Merde Factor

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book let down by the performance

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.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved the story.

Didn't enjoy the perturbed at much as the first book of merde. Loved the story and the way it is written.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Pointless and not funny

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

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Bored....

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?

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