England, Their England

By: A. G. Macdonell

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

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.

Amusing but unoriginal

Content is a 2, but narrator lifts the recording to a 3. Mostly absurd, stereotypical, outdated folderol that masquerades as humor, but occasionally I laughed until my sides hurt.

Why abridge this book?

This is a wonderful story, wonderfully read by Martin Jarvis. But ... why abridge a book that’s only 186 pages in total? A. G. Macdonell wrote a nearly perfect short novel. The abridgment is ok, but knowing what’s missing greatly the pleasure.