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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Joie de Vivre Sapped, French Turn to Web

Site houses tales of woe, provides outlet, voyeuristic thrill

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(Newser) – French website Vie de Merde is receiving all the misery it can handle, Der Spiegel reports. Since its February launch, France’s answer to group therapy (translated "life is shit") has posted 2,400 tales of woe. Another 40,000 are waiting in the wings, says its founder.

It started as a simple blog for the brokenhearted; now VDM’s visitors bare tales of unrequited love and frustration—or peruse the misfortunes of others. One lament? A single parent whose daughter aced a school essay on the family member she loved most: the guinea pig. Vie de merde.

A drawing is seen from the French website,
A drawing is seen from the French website, "Vie de Merde," or "Life is shit."   (Viedemerde.fr)
Various tales of French sorrow are put on public display on the French website 'Vie de Merde'.
Various tales of French sorrow are put on public display on the French website 'Vie de Merde'.   (Vie de Merde)
Grumpy people everywhere are venting about life's frustrations on the French website 'Vie de Merde'
Grumpy people everywhere are venting about life's frustrations on the French website 'Vie de Merde'   (http://aridni.com/2007/02/)
A poster of Mitterand with the message,
A poster of Mitterand with the message, "Angry but not fascist!" is seen in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
A student dozes on this image from the French website,
A student dozes on this image from the French website, "Vie de Merde," or "Life is shit."   (Viedemerde.fr)
A girl flies into a rage in this image from the French website,
A girl flies into a rage in this image from the French website, "Vie de Merde," or "Life is shit."   (Viedemerde.fr)
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