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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
Another series of essays on the British, this time far less angry than those in A.A. Gill's [b:The Angry Island|342320|The Angry Island Hunting the English|A.A. Gill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356449279l/342320._SX50_.jpg|2406016]. Lyall's tone, while claiming to be an American voice explaining the British to those of us on the Western side of "the Pond" sounds more like Madonna's accent than an authentic American voice.
Other than that, it's a good, funny read. The index is sparse, but that's not a major detraction (why an index is needed is another question, one beyond my area of expertise to explain). She covers British sports (although not in great enough detail to really explain them, which is perhaps the point), teeth, food, education, and their penchent for leaving soap on cleaned dishes.
Other than that, it's a good, funny read. The index is sparse, but that's not a major detraction (why an index is needed is another question, one beyond my area of expertise to explain). She covers British sports (although not in great enough detail to really explain them, which is perhaps the point), teeth, food, education, and their penchent for leaving soap on cleaned dishes.
This book was informative and entertaining all at the same time. There were moments of laughter accompanied by moments of enlightenment. To begin with, I am obsessed with all things British (barring the teeth). So, this book was a real treat. It starts off talking about the repressed society with regard to sex, forwardness, etc. and moves on to its politics and personal habits. Mrs. Lyall does a great job of dispelling a number of myths and putting things into perspective. Coincidentally, I just finished a Mediterranean cruise and ran across a number of British people (middle class as well the less posh). This book made my interactions with them even more enjoyable. And there is also a section devoted to their teeth. Highly recommended!
While it was humorous, it was extremely biased and has not aged well.
One of those books you can't help reading excerpts aloud to your husband from... Very enjoyable, although not particularly flattering to the British.
I love reading about other people's experiences living in England, because I love to compare it to my own. The Anglo Files was an okay read, but focused on the world of newspaper/news in general. (The author herself is a journalist.) Parts were funnier than others, but all in all an enjoyable read for someone who has spent considerable time in the UK.
As this book rambled on and on, I found myself liking it less and less. It was a total let down. Besides some boring stories that the other herself had reported on in her time as a reporter this book really had nothing to offer. At this point it is starting to be dated.
In all seriousness, nothing in here was new. Even before I moved to England for 6 months I could have told you the highlights of this book.
In all seriousness, nothing in here was new. Even before I moved to England for 6 months I could have told you the highlights of this book.
I really didn't like this one. Lyall's attempt to be witty and funny in a British way comes off as dull, and uninteresting. The memoir seems very disjointed, and it is hard to understand her train of thought at times. However, this book may stay on my shelves solely because of the awesome cover.
Lyall is very funny when she is observing British (really, English) culture through the lens of her own experiences; her discussion of England's weather is laugh-out-loud good. This isn't necessarily a humorous book, however, at least not in the same vein as Bryson. In examining different aspects of England's culture and temperament, Lyall is serious enough, quoting sources and referencing history. Still, this is a generally funny and easy read, perfect for a long flight (I almost finished flying from MD to CA).
Very entertaining, and I certainly learned much about Britain!
Well that was rubbish. As an American who spent several years living in the UK, partially overlapping with the period the author is discussing, I expected this to be more relatable. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to like the British or their country much, and obviously lived in a totally different London than I did....