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Clarissa's England
The quintessential Englishwoman Clarissa Dickson Wright, one of the Two Fat Ladies, takes readers on a personal journey through the country of her birth
From Cornwall to Cumbria, Norfolk to Northumbria, Clarissa Dickson Wright brings her extraordinary knowledge, huge passion, forthright opinions, and inimitable wit to the distinctive history and regional character of every corner of England. In her cornucopia of local knowledge she reveals, for example, how Boudicca was the original Essex girl, that Lincolnshire has a coriander crop second only in size to India's, and just why a Cornish pasty should never contain carrots. As much an entertaining narrative as it is a travel companion, this book will amuse, enlighten, surprise and delight all those who read it.
From Cornwall to Cumbria, Norfolk to Northumbria, Clarissa Dickson Wright brings her extraordinary knowledge, huge passion, forthright opinions, and inimitable wit to the distinctive history and regional character of every corner of England. In her cornucopia of local knowledge she reveals, for example, how Boudicca was the original Essex girl, that Lincolnshire has a coriander crop second only in size to India's, and just why a Cornish pasty should never contain carrots. As much an entertaining narrative as it is a travel companion, this book will amuse, enlighten, surprise and delight all those who read it.
422 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2012
About the author
Clarissa Dickson Wright
28 books31 followersClarissa Theresa Philomena Aileen Mary Josephine Agnes Elsie Trilby Louise Esmerelda Dickson Wright is an English celebrity chef and food historian who is best known as one half, along with Jennifer Paterson, of the Two Fat Ladies. Having trained as a lawyer, at the age of 21, Dickson Wright passed her exams and became the country's youngest barrister. She is also one of only two women in England to become a guild butcher.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 27, 2019
Although I have never all that much enjoyed most of the recipes presented (prepared) by Clarissa Dickson Wright and Jennifer Paterson (television's Two Fat Ladies) I did and do indeed very heartily enjoy the mostly United Kingdom, gracefully bucolic landscapes and historic buildings shown and featured during the course of the series, and have furthermore also generally found the often rather grating and peppery sense of witty humour of especially Clarissa Dickson Wright both delightful and entertaining (even if I did and do sometimes have to shake my head with and in consternation at some of her more risqué and politically incorrect verbal spewings). Therefore (and because I do have a bit of a faiblesse for all things British) I decided to give Clarissa Dickson Wright's Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties a try (and I certainly did much look forward to perusing Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties, as from the majority of online reviews I read, it sure did seem as though the author, as though Clarissa Dickson Wright with both humour and a sense of history was basically and simply presenting her love affair with her home, with England, and in a patriotic but always fun and entertaining manner).
However, and I am most sorry to say, I personally have definitely been quite massively and lastingly disappointed with and by Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties. For one, the author's, Clarissa Dickson Wright's writing style (her mode of literary expression) to and for me really does leave very much to be desired, is just much too often annoyingly and frustratingly yawn-inducing (read rambling and generally quite frustratingly tedious, not to mention that Dickson Wright certainly loves loves loves tooting her own horn so to speak, that she obviously really and annoyingly enjoys continuously profiling herself and her family to the point of arrogance and snobbishness) and that for two (and for me this is indeed a much more serious academic shortcoming and issue) that while the sections on the different English counties (areas) are most certainly replete with a multitude of often quite wonderfully interesting historical and cultural tidbits (such as for example with regard to the Battle of Hasting, that the defeated by William the Conqueror English monarch Harold Godwinson had been both legally and dutifully elected as king and was in fact much loved and admired by the people, by his subjects, or that certain Kentish marshes still harbour mosquitoes that might well be able to transmit malaria) there are NO bibliographic details whatsoever included, no footnotes/endnotes, namely that ALL of the historic data and information presented by Clarissa Dickson Wright in Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Though the English Counties is not ever even remotely adequately sourced, a for academically inclined me a pretty much unforgivable faux pas, especially since oh so much of the content featured is indeed entirely historically and factually based and as such really should need to be presented with adequate, with the required citations, with the necessary acknowledgment of sources. Two stars (and while most definitely not terrible, I also cannot really with a good conscience recommend Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties as the book has yes indeed, been quite a frustrating reading slog and also a very much annoying personal disappointment).
However, and I am most sorry to say, I personally have definitely been quite massively and lastingly disappointed with and by Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties. For one, the author's, Clarissa Dickson Wright's writing style (her mode of literary expression) to and for me really does leave very much to be desired, is just much too often annoyingly and frustratingly yawn-inducing (read rambling and generally quite frustratingly tedious, not to mention that Dickson Wright certainly loves loves loves tooting her own horn so to speak, that she obviously really and annoyingly enjoys continuously profiling herself and her family to the point of arrogance and snobbishness) and that for two (and for me this is indeed a much more serious academic shortcoming and issue) that while the sections on the different English counties (areas) are most certainly replete with a multitude of often quite wonderfully interesting historical and cultural tidbits (such as for example with regard to the Battle of Hasting, that the defeated by William the Conqueror English monarch Harold Godwinson had been both legally and dutifully elected as king and was in fact much loved and admired by the people, by his subjects, or that certain Kentish marshes still harbour mosquitoes that might well be able to transmit malaria) there are NO bibliographic details whatsoever included, no footnotes/endnotes, namely that ALL of the historic data and information presented by Clarissa Dickson Wright in Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Though the English Counties is not ever even remotely adequately sourced, a for academically inclined me a pretty much unforgivable faux pas, especially since oh so much of the content featured is indeed entirely historically and factually based and as such really should need to be presented with adequate, with the required citations, with the necessary acknowledgment of sources. Two stars (and while most definitely not terrible, I also cannot really with a good conscience recommend Clarissa's England: A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties as the book has yes indeed, been quite a frustrating reading slog and also a very much annoying personal disappointment).
March 21, 2014
I got lost in her rambling. I wanted more about England and less about pork chops and political views. This wasn't the book for me and I couldn't finish.
August 29, 2017
In preparation for our upcoming honeymoon to the UK, I wanted to read a nontraditional travel book about the area. Fedora and I won't be hitting the tourist spots, but I'm uncomfortable with the ideas of "let's just drive around until we stumble upon something pretty". By a stroke of luck, I had gifted this book to Fedora two years ago- he's a huge fan of Two Fat Ladies (which I have a feeling we'll be rewatching after the honeymoon) and we have all of Clarissa's and Jennifer's cookbooks as well. So I gave it a go.
In terms of a travel book about the English countryside, this definitely hit the spot. Clarissa talked about counties I recognized from history (and fiction!) as well as counties I'd never heard of. And while she does tread lightly in the areas she hasn't spent much time in, she says a little something historic about all of them, and highlights the most interesting towns within that county. Most of her mentioned history has to do with cathedrals, saints, and religion, but she also goes quite a bit into the wars of several ages in that country. There's a fair bit of humor, too. The bits I could have done without are her near-constant mention of hunting. I recognize this is the context of her experience of the country, and I'm not anti-hunting (when done sustainably), but I'm so distanced from it that it felt exclusionary to read about all these things *I* have no context for. Mostly I felt that annoyance during her mentions of "the antis" and how they loathe her.
Clarissa is definitely a well-traveled woman with some fascinating knowledge. And as a result of reading her book, I added fourteen new places to check out while we're over there (I have no illusions that we'll see them all, or even half of them, but this way I can consult the map if we're on a ramble and near any). I do appreciate that her favorite county is York, as we'll be spending several days there- good to know there will be plenty to see and do!
In all, I recommend this book if you're curious about England's countryside and want a light, brief rundown of it by one of England's famous celebrity chefs. Yes, that does mean you'll be reading about some mouth-watering (and some odd) things you should eat in different areas of the country.
In terms of a travel book about the English countryside, this definitely hit the spot. Clarissa talked about counties I recognized from history (and fiction!) as well as counties I'd never heard of. And while she does tread lightly in the areas she hasn't spent much time in, she says a little something historic about all of them, and highlights the most interesting towns within that county. Most of her mentioned history has to do with cathedrals, saints, and religion, but she also goes quite a bit into the wars of several ages in that country. There's a fair bit of humor, too. The bits I could have done without are her near-constant mention of hunting. I recognize this is the context of her experience of the country, and I'm not anti-hunting (when done sustainably), but I'm so distanced from it that it felt exclusionary to read about all these things *I* have no context for. Mostly I felt that annoyance during her mentions of "the antis" and how they loathe her.
Clarissa is definitely a well-traveled woman with some fascinating knowledge. And as a result of reading her book, I added fourteen new places to check out while we're over there (I have no illusions that we'll see them all, or even half of them, but this way I can consult the map if we're on a ramble and near any). I do appreciate that her favorite county is York, as we'll be spending several days there- good to know there will be plenty to see and do!
In all, I recommend this book if you're curious about England's countryside and want a light, brief rundown of it by one of England's famous celebrity chefs. Yes, that does mean you'll be reading about some mouth-watering (and some odd) things you should eat in different areas of the country.
July 9, 2015
Having been a great fan of the Two Fat Ladies cooking program (as well as admiring Clarissa for her sense of humor in doing an episode of the comedy series Absolutely Fabulous), I looked forward to this one, and wasn't disappointed! In a (roughly) clockwise manner, she focuses on most (not quite all, avoiding metro London itself) English counties, giving an overview of how each has fit into her life, as well as historical and culinary highlights of the area. Narration may not be technically top-notch, but the author does do inflection well, especially in terms of dry humor. One odd point is that there's no final, concluding section at all; the book just ends rather abruptly.
Definitely recommended!
Definitely recommended!
July 7, 2016
Narrated by the author. It's as if you had Clarissa sitting in the car with you as you drove around England, stopping at various places that she thought were impressive. She goes county by county. She likes farmer's markets, old-fashioned English towns, cathedrals, and manor houses. She is also interested in the traditional economic activities of the towns she discusses. She tells both historical stories and personal stories about the towns, manor houses, or their inhabitants. I loved all this.
Things I didn't love: She occasionally says racist things. She also loves hunting with dogs, which was banned in England in 2005, and often says bitter and angry things about the ban. I don't have strong personal opinions about hunting, but I thought she went on about it too much.
Things I didn't love: She occasionally says racist things. She also loves hunting with dogs, which was banned in England in 2005, and often says bitter and angry things about the ban. I don't have strong personal opinions about hunting, but I thought she went on about it too much.
February 4, 2015
Clarissa Dickson Wright. Clarissa’s England. 2012. A funny and quirky history and travelogue around England with bits of memoir thrown in. Wright has had a fascinating life – from alcoholic to lawyer to TV star on a cooking show. Each county she visits in Britain is a chance to share a memory from her remarkable life.
July 2, 2016
I picked up this book expecting it to be a travel book as the sub-title suggests: 'A Gamely Gallop Through the English Counties' ; it is not. What it is is a book packed full of mainly insignificant facts that are not explained well. It is certainly not a travel companion and you would be much better off looking these things up online instead of buying this book.
November 28, 2013
I highlighted a bunch a passages and will retrace some of Clarissa's steps on my next trip to England!
November 25, 2014
A jolly light weight potboiler but someone who is much missed (although I didn't share her love of blood sports).
September 7, 2017
Too much snobbishness and too many horses
August 7, 2023
While there are lots of fascinating historical and literary tidbits in the book, "Clarrisa's England" is rambling and chaotic, and the author's neverending comments about her fame and brilliance feel unbearable by the end of the book.
I have never - not once - heard of the author of this book. (I bought this book because it was on sale for £3 and sounded interesting - I am obsessed with regional history.) I was thus confused by statements such as "Most people know who I am" and a seemingly infinite amount of stories about her fame and brilliance. Based on her writing, you'd think the author was a messiah directly responsible for the invention of fire and the wheel.
"Clarissa's England" is, sadly, more of the author's ego trip rather than a celebration of all the diverse beauty and magic of English counties. Very disappointing.
I have never - not once - heard of the author of this book. (I bought this book because it was on sale for £3 and sounded interesting - I am obsessed with regional history.) I was thus confused by statements such as "Most people know who I am" and a seemingly infinite amount of stories about her fame and brilliance. Based on her writing, you'd think the author was a messiah directly responsible for the invention of fire and the wheel.
"Clarissa's England" is, sadly, more of the author's ego trip rather than a celebration of all the diverse beauty and magic of English counties. Very disappointing.
February 9, 2023
The kind of book I keep in a small pile next to my bed. Some books I can only get through a bit at a time unlike say Stephen King who I can't put down. Some books are just 'gentle' reads like the Miss Read books. And some books are quite hard to get through but interesting and informative if you can be bothered to get through them like 'Under The Parish Lantern'. I read this book one chapter a night and found it very enjoyable. An extremely interesting lady and I agreed with all her views. The food side of it was mouthwatering, I have a hankering for a pork pie now. Really enjoyed the ending, made me laugh.
September 12, 2021
I picked this book to read as a bit of an introduction to the Lake District before my visit there. If you love British food, history and architecture and maybe fancy a holiday in the UK then this is the book for you. It has encouraged me to explore Blighty which I think many of us are doing this year due to the pandemic.
May 7, 2024
[5 Jul 2020] A great easy read. Clarissa travels around the country with her usual style, although it is no work of literature and some prejudicial statements slip through - the Cornish being inbred and with a high level of insanity?? However realising that this is a book to pass the time.
May 6, 2021
Insightful and interesting, this is a personal and potted exploration of England and what it contains. It’s perfect for an easy read without being bogged down with lots of facts
July 21, 2024
This is overflowing with all sorts of unusual and interesting information. Clarissa Dickson Wright is surprisingly more knowledgable than I gave her credit for and she absolutely loves to ‘pootle’ about the countryside. Isn’t that a great word! This reads like something from Bill Bryson or Joanna Lumley and it reminded me of watching Penelope Keith talk about her Hidden Villages. Clarissa took me on a long, leisurely drive through the countryside, ending in her favourite county of Yorkshire. She showed me much along the way and made me laugh many times. I discovered she has strong views and opinions on a couple of contentious subjects but I for one won’t hold that against her. She’s written a great book, I loved it and hope you will too!
January 11, 2013
To be honest it was quite refreshing!! Having actually been to a few of the counties she had written about over the last few years on holiday to England, I was quite interested in finding out about the personal comments she had made and the other stories she included. I first thought it might be some kind of book detailing the highlights of each county but Clarissa does more than that. She takes you into a world of hunting and culinary lore. I thought it was very well written and look forward to more of her writing!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews