In the late 1980's Tim Parfitt talked his way into a job at Condé Nast in London and, from there, into a six-week stint in Madrid to help launch Spanish Vogue. Six weeks turned into nine years, and helping out turned into running the company. Tim Parfitt never saw a Costa and he certainly never bought an olive grove. Instead, he discovered a booming city in hedonistic reaction to years of facism, where the evenings lasted until dawn, sleep was something you only did at work, and five hour lunches invariably involved a plate of bull's testicles. Frothing with a language designed to make foreigners dribble, hospitalized by tapa-induced flatulence, and constantly frustrated by the unapproachable beauty of the women parading through the Vogue offices, he nevertheless falls in love with a city, a country, and its people—despite the fact he hasn't a clue what they're on about. Tim Parfitt's rise from unwanted guest to paparazzi-pursued mover in Spain's glamorous social scene is a hilarious comedy of errors.
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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
A Load Of Bull is the hilarious, true story of an Englishman finding his way in one of the most perplexing, anarchic and exuberant cities on earth: Madrid.
In the late 80’s Tim Parfitt blagged his way into a job at Condé Nast in London and, from there, into a six week stint in Madrid to help launch Spanish Vogue. Six weeks turned into nine years, and helping out turned into running the company. Along the way Tim Parfitt discovered the real ‘real’ Spain. He never saw a Costa and he certainly never bought an olive grove. Instead, he discovered a booming city in hedonistic reaction to years of facism, where sleep was something you only did at work and where five hour lunches invariably involved a course of bull’s testicles. Tim Parfitt’s rise from unwanted guest to paparazzi pursued mover in Spain’s glamorous social scene is a hilarious comedy of errors. Frothing with a language designed to make foreigners dribble, hospitalized by tapa induced flatulence, and constantly frustrated by the unapproachable beauty of the women parading through the Vogue offices, he nevertheless falls in love with a city, a country and its people - despite the fact he hasn’t a clue what they’re on about, or why he’s really there in the first place.
About the Author
Tim Parfitt lives in Suffolk with his wife and children. This is his first book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Funny Book,
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This review is from: A Load of Bull: An Englishman's Adventures in Madrid (Paperback)
I have visited Madrid twice as a tourist and I have few personal funny stories struggling with the Spanish language. But I have never close to the difficulties the author, Tim Parfitt had when he was living and working in Madrid. I found myself laughing reading each chapter, following the author's life story. His troubles trying to fit in with the Madrilenos, their eating habits and his hilarious insights of the Spanish culture.
I have to add, I really enjoyed how the book ended. Instead of Tom Parfitt lives happy ever after, which he does, the author has a surprising and funny ending. Bill
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ticklingly True,
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This review is from: A Load of Bull: An Englishman's Adventures In Madrid (Paperback)
A darn good read that switches from funny to touching and back to banana-skins-at-dawn funny again. Parfitt's honesty gives the book the ability to mix the enormous range of human experience in Madrid and combine details of an amazing career.
The writing itself is pitched well: readable, clear and elegant. I chewed through the opus espanicus in a couple of days. The only problem with 'A Load Of Bull' is I don't see how there can be a sequel - unless Parfitt has more untold tales up the sleeve of his tweed jacket?
5.0 out of 5 stars
expat adventures a-go-go,
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This review is from: A Load of Bull: An Englishman's Adventures in Madrid (Paperback)
I came off trying to read It's Not About The Tapas by Polly Evans and was happy to say A Load Of Bull is nothing like that tome. The thing I loved was Parfitt was not afraid to say his adventures at trying to bag the babes was definitely more miss than hit. That may sound sexist but at least he was honest and made attempts to actually connect with people (and I'm just not talking trying to score with the locals).His writing style takes you along as though you were his best friend and you can read his thoughts on everything. You'll learn more about how the Spanish think (maybe not why they think the way they do) from reading this than in any travel essay book of the ilk. One thing this book is not is a load of bull.
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