The Full English: A Journey in Search of a Country and its People cover art

The Full English: A Journey in Search of a Country and its People

A Journey in Search of a Country and its People

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The Full English: A Journey in Search of a Country and its People

By: Stuart Maconie
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About this listen

A Sunday Times Book of the Week and Top 10 Bestseller A Times bestseller A Waterstones Paperback of the Year 2024 A Spectator Book of the Year

What kind of country is England today?

What does it mean to be English?

Are we hungry for change or seeking old certainties?

Join Stuart Maconie on an enlightening, entertaining journey through England, from Bristol's Banksy to Durham's beaches, from Cotswolds corduroy to Stoke's oatcakes.

As his guide, Maconie walks in the footsteps of J.B. Priestley's classic travelogue, English Journey, to explore our national identity and how it has evolved over the last century. On his way, Stuart takes inspiration from the people he meets at bus stops and train stations, cafes and corner shops.

Travelling the length of the land, Maconie explores the differences between city and town, north and south, and examines our past and present with affection and insight. Whether he’s passing the boutique hotels of Manchester, the moors of Ilkley or the grand houses of Tynemouth, looking out over misty fens or urban skylines, he shines a light on the people who make these places and asks what the future holds for them. Along the way, he uncovers local heroes and secret histories over early breakfasts and last orders.

Through his journey, he lets us see our homes and habits, hopes and eccentricities with fresh eyes. The Full English challenges us to embrace the messy, shifting and diverse nature of England, and to ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be.

©2024 Stuart Maconie
Europe Great Britain Travel Writing & Commentary England Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring

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Critic reviews

‘Maconie is a funny, astute writer, alert to the absurd.’ Sunday Times Book of the Week

‘Observant and witty.’ The Times

‘The deceptive lightness and accessibility of Maconie’s writing lead us gently through what is actually a deep dive into this most mysterious of peoples.’ Jonathan Coe

'Chatty and cheerful.' Graham Robb

‘Thoughtful and characteristically entertaining.’ Waterstones Books of the Year

‘Maconie catches the exhausted national mood beautifully.’ New Statesman

‘Takes the temperature of the English at this point in time.’ Hugo Rifkind

‘This might be Maconie’s best book yet. … What a treat to read such a clear-eyed but warm-hearted evocation of the country.’ Daily Express

'Maconie makes for a chatty, amiable travelling companion and the portrait he paints of contemporary England is a quietly progressive one.' The Herald

Praise for Stuart Maconie…

‘As funny as Bryson and as wise as Orwell.’ The Observer

‘The best thing to come out of Wigan since the A58 to Bolton.’ Peter Kay

‘A fine writer: sharp, funny, tender and thoughtful.’ The Spectator

‘A funny, lyrical writer who prefers to persuade rather than browbeat.’ Mail on Sunday

‘Maconie's engaging, conversational prose is full of telling detail, jokes and deft quotation.’ The Telegraph

All stars
Most relevant
We listened to this book on our way to Cornwall from Scotland, where we live. On the way back, after listening to the chapter on Coventry, we booked a two day stay at the Telegraph Hotel. Loved both Coventry and The Telegraph Hotel. Thank you Mr. Maconie, your book was funny, interesting and we both loved it. If you are ever on the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William, please let us show you the West Highlands.

Brilliant, funny and absorbing!

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Fascinating look at England with Stuart's unique take BUT - how could an experienced broadcaster have so much "popping" on this recording? To my ears it's much too closely miked almost like sports commentator who needs to keep crowd noise down. Wonder why engineer didn't speak up?

Good overall but

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Another interesting book giving a fascinating insight and comparison of a changing England, told with Maconie’s usual dry wit and sound morality.

Malcco

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I loved this, it cheered me up but also made me think. The performance is excellent too.

Interesting and enjoyable

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I thoroughly enjoyed this wander around the country, reminiscing about places that I've already encountered and learning about places I've yet to go to. I found myself on occasion not angry but a little disappointed with a few differences of opinion such as the plight of crustaffarians and the the works of Banksy. But if you ever come back to Norwich Mr Maconie I'd love to discuss it over a pint in the Maids Head where my hubby and I spent our wedding night . Oh yes, we need to talk about the pronunciation of Magdalen street which starts with a mag as in magpie and not Maud as in the Oxford college.
This was not just food for thought but a banquet for the soul. Thank you Mr Maconie

Loved it

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