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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
quite interesting in parts but overall pretty meh.
My experience of this book went quickly from "I could fit in with the English" to "I may secretly be English O.o"
"are they all inept introverts" aside, this was an interesting book. I think I enjoyed almost exactly the first half better than the second half--mostly because at that point it began to more obviously repeat itself, and I started to wonder if she was stretching things a bit. Overall the book was convincing, but there were definitely a number of moments of skepticism.
"are they all inept introverts" aside, this was an interesting book. I think I enjoyed almost exactly the first half better than the second half--mostly because at that point it began to more obviously repeat itself, and I started to wonder if she was stretching things a bit. Overall the book was convincing, but there were definitely a number of moments of skepticism.
A uni lecturer recommended this book to me to better understand the English cultural normes (in preparation of my move to the UK). It has a few rather tedious parts and repetitions but it is nevertheless the most brilliant anthropological book about the English that you can find.
funny
lighthearted
funny
informative
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Kate Fox is a funny enough writer and many of her observations are spot on. However I feel like the book is very much the product of the Southern (upper-)middle class to which the author no doubt belongs. And therefore I feel she misses the full breadth of Englishness while also resorting to apologetic stereotypes. That said, if you're interested in the idea of "Englishness" the book is a must read
This non-fiction book is an anthropological/sociological look the English. Kate Fox dissects all aspects of English life and tries to figure out "Englishness". Every chapter is on a new part of English life like eating, clothing, living...
Fox bases her analyses on works that have been written on the subject, on surveys and her own experimental research. For instance, she went into train and subway stations and did "bumping experiments" during which she intentionally bumped people to see how many would say "sorry". She then proceeds to analyse what she has gleaned and put it into words. She often has ways of putting things that make it seem both completely obvious and well analysed at the same time. On top of this, she is extremely funny.
Fox bases her analyses on works that have been written on the subject, on surveys and her own experimental research. For instance, she went into train and subway stations and did "bumping experiments" during which she intentionally bumped people to see how many would say "sorry". She then proceeds to analyse what she has gleaned and put it into words. She often has ways of putting things that make it seem both completely obvious and well analysed at the same time. On top of this, she is extremely funny.
This book is like a textbook. I enjoyed the book and found the analysis of the English to be insightful. It has helped me understand the context of current English fiction and more thoroughly understand the cultural circumstances. It is a slower read since it is written in a more technical format with few narrative stories. I would recommend it as a pre-visit read.