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trin's review against another edition
4.0
A really amusing anthropological look at the English by an Englishwoman. Fox’s sense of humor is what really makes this book; it’s a bit long and repetitive at parts—skewing too much toward being an academic text when what I want (need) it to be is a work of popular science—but Fox’s own innate “Oh, come off it!” reaction always pulls through in the end. Somewhat frightening: how much of Fox’s “grammar of Englishness” I find applicable to myself—social awkwardness, humor, cynicism, belief in fair play… Bloody hell! Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks… Oh, God! I’m English!
patiolinguist's review against another edition
4.0
I found that it got a bit repetitive after a while and I started skipping the summary at the end of every chapter. Nonetheless, it was a witty, enjoyable and interesting read.
radomu's review against another edition
5.0
Informative, entertaining, and difficult to put down. Doesn't really account for regional differences that well, but a minor blemish in a comprehensive, well-written account of Englishness.
frithf's review against another edition
4.0
How British are YOU? ANd what makes a Briton? As entertaining, readable and thought-provoking anthropology on a first-world culture, this book is as necessary as it is unusual - examining the unacknowledged makeup of culture usually taken for granted. If you, English-speaking person of the 'mainstream' or 'global culture', have ever stated "I don't really have a culture", read this book and change your mind.
glitterbox's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
froggo's review against another edition
когда-то у нас вела замечательная женщина чернова и мы читали вот такие замечательные вещи и я горела социологией и думала я буду такая крутая, а она кидала снюсик на паре
была наша любимая жанночка снюсоедка
она ещё так смешно смотрела на всех с выпученными глазами и молчала и ты никогда не знал ты правильно ответил или полную хуйню сморозил
потом всех уволили, точнее не продлили контракт и я пишу свою ебаную вкр надеясь на бога и даже примерно не представляя как и с чем я выпущусь из этого богоспасаемого заведения
была наша любимая жанночка снюсоедка
она ещё так смешно смотрела на всех с выпученными глазами и молчала и ты никогда не знал ты правильно ответил или полную хуйню сморозил
потом всех уволили, точнее не продлили контракт и я пишу свою ебаную вкр надеясь на бога и даже примерно не представляя как и с чем я выпущусь из этого богоспасаемого заведения
jason_pym's review against another edition
3.0
After living away from England for so many years, it seems now like a very strange, idiosyncratic country. Nice to have this book as an anthropological back up - it really is that odd a place. The whole thing could have been cut to maybe a third of the length.