A Load of Bull - An Englishman's Adventures in Madrid

By Tim Parfitt

Re-issued with a new introduction and extra chapters, A Load of Bull is the hilarious true story of an Englishman sent to Madrid to help launch Spanish Vogue.

In the late eighties Tim Parfitt blagged his way into a job at Cond 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 fascism, 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, hospitalised 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.

'A hugely entertaining memoir ... frequently laugh-out-loud funny' (The Daily Express)

'Parfitt is no ordinary Englishman. His light touch and neat line in self-deprecating humour perfectly suits this entertaining urban spin on the old tale of Brits having fun under the Spanish sun' (The Sunday Times)

'A love letter to Madrid ... brilliantly captures a truly eccentric and hedonistic place' (The Daily Mirror)

'Often hilarious ... a side-splittingly funny travel memoir' (BBC Online)

'Magnificent ... brilliant and moving, hilarious and truthful' (La Vanguardia)

'Don't miss it ... Madrid through the eyes of an Englishman.' (Vogue Espa a)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1739332628
• ISBN13: 9781739332624
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Maravilla Press
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Very Funny Book

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

Ticklingly True

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?