The Angry Island

Hunting the English

By: Adrian Gill

Write A Review

Paperback | 26 July 2006 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
256 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
2.2 x 13.1 x 19.8

Paperback

$32.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $8.19 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

Foreigner Adrian Gill (a Scot) goes in search of the essence of England and the English

The English are naturally, congenitally, collectively and singularly, livid much of the time. In between the incoherent bellowing of the terraces and the pursed, rigid eye-rolling of the commuter carriage, they reach the end of their tethers and the thin end of their wedges. They''re incensed, incandescent, splenetic, prickly, touchy and fractious. They sit apart on their half of a damply disappointing little island, nursing and picking at their irritations.

Perhaps aware that they''re living on top of a keg of fulminating fury, the English have, throughout their history, come up with hundreds of ingenious and bizarre ways to diffuse anger or transform it into something benign. Good manners and queues, roundabouts and garden sheds, and almost every game ever invented from tennis to bridge. They''ve built things, discovered stuff, made puddings, written hymns and novels, and for people who don''t like to talk much, they have come up with the most minutely nuanced and replete language ever spoken - just so there''ll be no misunderstandings. In this hugely witty, personal and readable book, A.A. Gill looks anger and the English straight in the eye.

Industry Reviews

'In a series of fascinating essays, Gill reveals there is a swell of suppressed anger in the English... Much of it is extremely funny, the reader is left with the queasy question: what if he is right?' SUNDAY TIMES (30/7/06) 'An entertaining polemic... a thought-provoking, some would say overdue, book that challenges the English self-image of genteel reserve.' CHOICE

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.