islanderr Posted December 10, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 10, 2016 My wife and I will soon make our first journey to England, aboard the QM2. We'll also be staying in London and the Cotswolds for three weeks before the return cruise. We'd like to prepare a bit by reading books before or during the journey that will provide helpful context for what we are about to experience. When I mentioned this to friends, they suggested "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James and "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson. I'm not talking about guide books that list places to visit. We're much more interested in books that help us understand the British people and their state of mind. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted December 10, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 10, 2016 My immediate thought was Bryson, and probably that title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacia Posted December 10, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 10, 2016 The Cotswolds: A Cultural History (Landscapes of the Imagination) by Jane Bingham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laktex Posted December 10, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 10, 2016 We're much more interested in books that help us understand the British people and their state of mind. Any thoughts? Try "Watching The English" by Kate Fox. Jeremy Paxman's portrait of the English was witty and deep, so too Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island. Fox's book is not deep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieBallie Posted December 10, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 10, 2016 I'd read "Watching the English" by Kate Fox "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson and the follow-up "The Road to Little Dribbling" "I Never Knew That About England" by Christopher Winn "A Short History of England" by Simon Jenkins :) Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camgirl Posted December 11, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) The Xenophobes Guide to the English came to my mind!! Edited December 11, 2016 by Camgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats2010 Posted December 11, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 11, 2016 There should be something like 'How xenophobic Brits welcome foreigners'. :D Seriously, if you can't get what has been mentioned before, QM2 has the world's largest library on a ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunky2219 Posted December 11, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) There should be something like 'How xenophobic Brits welcome foreigners'. :D Maybe you should write that one. Seems like you'd have something to say that the Paxtons and Brysons of this world haven't noticed. . Edited December 11, 2016 by Chunky2219 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats2010 Posted December 11, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) Maybe you should write that one. Seems like you'd have something to say that the Paxtons and Brysons of this world haven't noticed. . Maybe. At the moment I am feeding my cat. Edited December 11, 2016 by Cats2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare duchesslt Posted December 11, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Downton abbey!!! Harry Potter!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted December 12, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Try "Watching The English" by Kate Fox......... Fox's book is not deep. Very enjoyable read! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islanderr Posted December 12, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Thank you all for your kind suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanemagnet Posted December 12, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maple_Girl Posted December 12, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I tend to like a little magic in my reading. I very much enjoyed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (both the novel and the miniseries) and the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. I believe the first one is The Rivers of London or Midnight Riot. I also enjoyed London (or Londonium) by Edward Rutherfurd but found it to be a little dry and very long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovccruiser Posted December 13, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 13, 2016 (edited) Atlantic crossing this time of year, only one book, The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monserrat :D Edited December 13, 2016 by ovccruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Owl Posted December 13, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I'm not talking about guide books that list places to visit. We're much more interested in books that help us understand the British people and their state of mind. Any thoughts? Not sure that any book will help you to understand the British. I'm born and bred English for 65 years and I still struggle. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abefroman329 Posted June 27, 2017 #17 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I'd read "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson and the follow-up "The Road to Little Dribbling" And if you want a more misanthropic and ethnocentric take on Britons from an American, Paul Theroux's Kingdom by the Sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepperrn Posted June 27, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Like others, I would strongly recommend "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson. Superb observation of the British, well researched, educational, extremely well written and very readable. To say it is witty doesn't even come close... I hope you enjoy your crossings on Queen Mary 2, and your visit in the UK. Have a wonderful time :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseman58 Posted June 27, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I will buy these for our two crossings in June 2018. Thanks so much for these posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted June 27, 2017 #20 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Churchill By Himself. And for the crossing, The Only Way To Cross by John Maxtone Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey1950 Posted June 28, 2017 #21 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I'm not talking about guide books that list places to visit. We're much more interested in books that help us understand the British people and their state of mind. Any thoughts? Not sure that any book will help you to understand the British. I'm born and bred English for 65 years and I still struggle. Good luck. Well said !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricki Posted June 28, 2017 #22 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Are you interested in fiction, mysteries in particular? I have always felt they give great insight into society and class structure ( which, evidently, is still present.) There are thousands of good British fiction writers. If you like this genre, please post again. I'm certain many of us have favorites. Ricki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Puss Posted June 29, 2017 #23 Share Posted June 29, 2017 You will never understand us - we don't even understand ourselves!! :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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