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labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this book didn't turn me off from visiting England in the least. It might have me packing ala Jeff Goldblum in Vibes, with my own water and food source, though...
I really liked this book. It's funny, if not falling-down-giggling funny, and gives a fun, insightful look at Britons and their way of life. At least, I think it's insightful. Having never been to England and having limited access to actual England-ians, I probably have a very stereotypical view of them. This book diminishes some of it and adds brand-spankin' new ones in there, as well.
Some of the chapters lag, but overall, I really enjoyed reading this. Even the chapters that lagged had "easter egg" type treasures in them, which made it impossible to skim.
I really liked this book. It's funny, if not falling-down-giggling funny, and gives a fun, insightful look at Britons and their way of life. At least, I think it's insightful. Having never been to England and having limited access to actual England-ians, I probably have a very stereotypical view of them. This book diminishes some of it and adds brand-spankin' new ones in there, as well.
Some of the chapters lag, but overall, I really enjoyed reading this. Even the chapters that lagged had "easter egg" type treasures in them, which made it impossible to skim.
lspargo's review against another edition
4.0
I read this on the plane to and from England, and found it to be a great read to go along with the trip. I found it interesting that I noticed some of the things that she talked about while I was there.
fusskins's review against another edition
4.0
This book was hilarious and insightful. I do feel that she front-loaded the book with her best material, but I still believe it's worth reading.
versky8's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Love Lyall’s work, just some of the chapters weren’t interesting. (But the hedgehog one is wild!)
carrieliza's review against another edition
4.0
Of COURSE I read this book, right? Glad I did, too.
In terms of books about the British, I liked this much better than Notes on a Small Island. Probably because Lyall is a much friendlier, less douchey storyteller than Bill Bryson. That being said, I do have a few issues. Lyall mentions at various points that it is hard to pin down the character of the British--especially the English. Fine. But maybe that should be reflected in the book's title. This is a field guide to the English, by and large. And really of a specific type of English. Because I certainly know English people that do not fit these molds. I also think Lyall often expects too much of her readers. Granted, people who pick up this book probably already know a bit about Brits, but clarifying at the start what a public school or a private school is in Britain would be helpful for those who don't realize it's completely different from America. And on a personal note, I just disagree with many of Lyall's complaints. I would love to live in a culture where people don't brag all the time. I love British humor (sorry, humour), and I often wanted Lyall to just quit her bitching.
So many interesting bits in this book! It's an especially interesting time to be reading the section on tabloids at the moment! I thoroughly enjoyed the explanations of Parliament and the self-deprecating nature of Brits. I am 100% living in the wrong country. But I already knew that.
I actually laughed out loud at the section about trains and the excuses given for delays. Especially the train delayed "because the driver is only 5 ft. 1 in. and his swivel chair has broken, and he's too short to reach the pedals". I would like that kind of openness on NYC's trains, instead of the usual "police investigation" line. I remember once, in London, hearing that the Picadilly line was delayed due to "customer insolence". Amazing.
Anyway. I love England. Can you tell?
In terms of books about the British, I liked this much better than Notes on a Small Island. Probably because Lyall is a much friendlier, less douchey storyteller than Bill Bryson. That being said, I do have a few issues. Lyall mentions at various points that it is hard to pin down the character of the British--especially the English. Fine. But maybe that should be reflected in the book's title. This is a field guide to the English, by and large. And really of a specific type of English. Because I certainly know English people that do not fit these molds. I also think Lyall often expects too much of her readers. Granted, people who pick up this book probably already know a bit about Brits, but clarifying at the start what a public school or a private school is in Britain would be helpful for those who don't realize it's completely different from America. And on a personal note, I just disagree with many of Lyall's complaints. I would love to live in a culture where people don't brag all the time. I love British humor (sorry, humour), and I often wanted Lyall to just quit her bitching.
So many interesting bits in this book! It's an especially interesting time to be reading the section on tabloids at the moment! I thoroughly enjoyed the explanations of Parliament and the self-deprecating nature of Brits. I am 100% living in the wrong country. But I already knew that.
I actually laughed out loud at the section about trains and the excuses given for delays. Especially the train delayed "because the driver is only 5 ft. 1 in. and his swivel chair has broken, and he's too short to reach the pedals". I would like that kind of openness on NYC's trains, instead of the usual "police investigation" line. I remember once, in London, hearing that the Picadilly line was delayed due to "customer insolence". Amazing.
Anyway. I love England. Can you tell?
velvetcelestial's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
evaseyler's review against another edition
3.0
I LOVED the introduction to this and laughed a lot over it. The rest of it was hit and miss—some great bits and some snoozy bits (though to be fair, I do not think anyone could make cricket NOT snoozy).
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
3.0
Although many parts of this book were interesting and a few were laugh-out-loud funny, I don't think it's as good as other works on the same topic.
The author spends much of the book name dropping her well-to-do friends, and though she says she's become so Anglicized that discussion of people's salaries embarrasses her, she goes to great lengths to tell the reader all about the posh schools her children go to, etc. I just didn't feel that her life, glamorous as it might be, was very interesting, and every time she started telling a personal anecdote, I lost interest.
Overall, it was worth reading but no great shakes.
The author spends much of the book name dropping her well-to-do friends, and though she says she's become so Anglicized that discussion of people's salaries embarrasses her, she goes to great lengths to tell the reader all about the posh schools her children go to, etc. I just didn't feel that her life, glamorous as it might be, was very interesting, and every time she started telling a personal anecdote, I lost interest.
Overall, it was worth reading but no great shakes.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Though it may appear that I am damning with faint praise, the phrase that keeps coming to mind as I think about this book is "not bad". There are moments of witty insight, and the author's style is likable. My disappointment is of my own making, I suppose. I was expecting a personal narrative to anchor the story, but it is very much a "field guide" approach that picks up a topic, examines and illustrates, and sets it down again.
nit-picks: The cover art is just silly and annoying. Moreover, I found it jarring to begin with the chapter on attitudes towards sex. This would have been better placed further into the book.
audiobook note: an enjoyable read by Cassandra Campbell
nit-picks: The cover art is just silly and annoying. Moreover, I found it jarring to begin with the chapter on attitudes towards sex. This would have been better placed further into the book.
audiobook note: an enjoyable read by Cassandra Campbell