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England, Their England

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England, Their England

By: A. G. Macdonell
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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About this listen

 Donald Cameron, a young Scotsman, is commissioned to write a book on the outsider's view of the English. He sets about his task with enthusiasm, encountering along the way an array of richly comical characters including civil servants, newspaper editors, minor poets, a glamourous movie star, politicians, and many more. This satire of English eccentricity has become a classic of 20th century literature.©1998 CSA Telltapes Ltd. (P)1998 CSA Telltapes Ltd. Classics European Historical Fiction Literary History & Criticism Literature & Fiction World Literature Fiction Witty Comedy England
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I know its been said many times, many ways but the village cricket scene has to be one of the funniest passages ever written about cricket. For those of you who switch off when TMS comes on Radio 4 or wonder even what people see in the game you could do worse that spend some time wrapped in Macdonell's wonderul prose. However wonderful the passage and prose are, I still switch off TMS on Radio 4. That passage did help explain some of cricket's attractions and its part in social cohesion in an English village. Worth the listen.

Perhaps other aspects of the novel are now dated, though some of his insights to human behaviour are timeless and funny. I found it an aggreable listen and liklely listen to it again.

Martn Jarvis did a sublime job of reading and handling accents. Even Donald Camerons father.

With any 'abridged' volume there are likely to be readers who are going to be a bit disappointed. I'm one. My favourite observation ended up on the cutting room floor. For the record In the pillbox Donald Cameron asked the Welshmen: 'Why do the English always laugh when Aberdeen is mentioned?' Ah, yes a question to which there is no answer.

Ahhh they left out the best quip

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This should be required reading for the entire population. Heart warming and hilarious. A classic...now where is my Otter hunting kit...?

A masterpiece

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Superb narration by Martin Jarvis. A wonderfully entertaining story and definitely some lessons for life here: be humble and keep learning.

My favourite audiobook

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Would you try another book written by A. G. Macdonell or narrated by Martin Jarvis?

Yes

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A shame that it was not verbatim as it is crucial to the understanding of the whole.

What aspect of Martin Jarvis’s performance might you have changed?

None

Do you think England, Their England needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. It is fine in itself.

Any additional comments?

Too much detail was missed out in my view.

Too brief.

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AG Macdonell's gentle satire of English life between the two World Wars is a perfect quick read for an unseasonably warm English spring afternoon. It's not necessary to decode the portraits of long forgotten characters from the period. It's simply a bit of fun and should be enjoyed as such.

Gentle Satire

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