England: The making of the myth : from Stonehenge to Albert Square

by Maureen Duffy

In the style of ‘Longitude’ and ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’, a narrative history of the making of the myth of the English. Three thousand years of our island history from Boadicea to Blair, from the acclaimed author of ‘Restitution’.In 75,000 words Maureen Duffy covers three thousand years of history to show where the idea of the English has come from. The myth begins with the idea that the English were the original inhabitants of this island, that the ‘real’ natives of Britain are the English and anyone else is somehow a foreigner. The idea is captured by G K Chesterton in his popular poem of 1912 which begins ‘Before the Romans came to Rye or out to Severn strode/The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road’.The first British heroes Boadicea and Caractacus ruled parts of an island that was divided into princedoms with names that sound like modern European football the Iceni, Brigantes, Coritani and Catuvellauni. Boadicea was one of the many charismatic female leaders of the time. Tacitus, the Roman historian wrote that ‘the Britons make no distinction of sex in their appointment of commanders’. Not much evidence of the myth of the English rose here. Even in 1500 an anonymous Italian visitor described the English women as ‘very violent in their passion’.The myth of the English woman is just one of the many threads in this fascinating book which explores the political, religious, environmental and physical influences that have arrived at the myth that is England. The Norman takeover; how the English became upper class and oppressed the rest of Britain; England becomes the Church of England; the contribution of Shakespeare to the myth; the Garden of England; the identification of class in dialect; the faking of the English working class, the British Bulldog – all are elements of the myth.As Britain debates its future in Europe, this book – which shows how we have always been continentals – could hardly be more timely.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Maureen Patricia Duffy (born 21 October 1933) is a contemporary British novelist, poet, playwright, nonfiction author and activist.

Duffy's work often uses Freudian ideas and Greek mythology as frameworks.[1] Her writing is distinctive for its use of contrasting voices, or streams of consciousness, often including the perspectives of outsiders. Her novels have been linked to a European tradition of literature which explores reality through the use of language and questioning, rather than through traditional linear narrative.[2] James Joyce in particular, and Modernism in general, are significant influences on her fiction, as is Joyce Cary.[3] "Duffy has inspired many other writers and proved that the English novel need not be realistic and domestic, but can be fantastical, experimental and political."[1] Her writing in all forms is noted for her 'eye for detail and ear for language'[4] and "powerful intense imagery".[5]

Reviews

[Eksded · Rating 2 out of 5]

A shallow look at Britain's history, presented as a critical look of the British 'myth'. Too bad it falls victim of it's own premise and only ends up reinforcing the 'myth'.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first half of this book interesting, the invasions, the intrigues and the general history. Then instead of continuing is the vein of a chronological account of history the author started on particular aspects of the English myth, like the image of the ‘English rose’. Honestly I found myself jumping ahead throughout the second half of the book. Not necessarily a book I would have read myself but it was given to me by a friend. I think I prefer a more purely historical read. I must say the authors style of writing was engaging.

[Sally Edsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fabulous read. Strip away the veneer from 'pomp and circumstance' or 'muddling through' stereotypes of England and discover where they are derived from.
Not at all dry or academic in tone, so very useful for the generalist reader interested in England.
I recommend it to anyone planning a trip there. England is a wonderful country to visit, but it is so much richer when the scales are taken from our eyes.