Neighbours from Hell?: English attitudes to the Welsh

by Mike Parker

From the Act of Union to Anne Robinson, ""Neighbours from Hell?"" looks at English attitudes to the Welsh. Drawing on the author's experience of the comedy circuit, cartoons, the popular press and postcards; from ""Tours of the Picturesque"" to the novels of Niall Griffiths, the range of reference is as broad as the writing style is witty. Stereotypes explored include the Welsh character (shifty, oversexed or verbose); the Welsh language (dead, ugly or secret code for extremists), and the landscape. Mike Parker examines treacherous policy decisions sacrificing communities to reservoirs, forestry and military ranges. And he warns of future loss through blinkered tourist and property marketing. This is fine and funny polemic with a purpose, by the author of ""The Rough Guide to Wales.""

Genres: Nonfiction, History

174 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2007

Reviews

[RdWd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely seminal reading on Anglo->Cymric attitudes. Prior to this text, there is nothing of the sort quite like this (either academic or otherwise).

It's divided roughly into two halves. The first examines the way the English perceive the Welsh (this includes prejudices, stereotypes and the like), whilst the second half shows how the English have best exploited their nearest and dearest neighbours.

It isn't an academic volume, which in a way is a shame because there is little reference to where some of the quoted material comes from; but on the plus side, Parker delivers the text in a witty and clever manner.

[L A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, i’m not the best at reading non-fiction but this has been on my bookshelf for a while and I found the writing style easy to follow along with, whilst still being informative and interesting. I’m glad I read it and it does make some good points. I think English imcomers to Wales should read this to understand how to become an asset to Wales and teach them how to better respect the culture of Wales. I really enjoyed the postscript about his journey to Wales and the paragraphy about his nan was really touching.

[Judith Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this thoughtful and nicely written book about present and historical attitudes of the English towards Wales and Welsh people. I finished it on the beautiful beach of Tor Bay on the Gower coast after another lovely swim. Luckily not many people around to hear my shocked reactions to some of the things I didn’t know on the subject.

Very highly recommended to English people like myself who have happily settled in Wales, but also to anyone who’s interested in the history of English political and cultural domination of its first colony, as some call it.

[Gwen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Llyfr ardderchog, efo ffeithiau diddorol a hefyd ffraethder. Dylai pawb sydd yn drigolion o Gymru, boed frodorion neu mewnfudwyr sydd wedi dod dros y ffin, ddarllen y llyfr yma. Diolch Mike Parker.
An excellent book, with interesting facts and also witticisms. Everyone living in Wales, be they natives or immigrants who have come over the border, should read this book.

[Dei Mur · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing revelation Mike Parker is. This should be a must read for all in-migrants, not just coming to live in Wales, but visiting too!

[Edward Janes · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Years Resolution Book No7: I was lent this book by a friend after seeing an article about a Welsh headteacher who said the 'Welsh psyche' was to blame for failure in education, and that the best thing for them was to move to England. As a Somerset born guy who is very much loving life in Wales and (trying to) learn the language I was very keen to read it.

But it was a bit of a disappointment. I mean yes, the incorrect portrayal of the Welsh language as only surviving due to government support was very interesting, as was the idea that some people are against the Welsh Government for daring to exist rather than for their decision making, and the stereotyping of the Welsh as thieves, uncivilised, barbaric, etc. But other bits were just too short - 1/2 a page on Aberfan where 116 children and 28 adults died when their school was buried by an industrial slag heap. And 2 pages on the iconic Tryweryn, the town that was flooded so that a reservoir could provide Liverpool with water.

And in the place of detail there was a scattergun approach to identifying everyone who ever said a bad thing about Wales. James May, Janet Street Porter, and some guy on QI who made a joke about Countdown and a lack of vowels, a joke that I'm sure my Welsh language tutor has made repeatedly...

[Simon Thirsk · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any English person moving to Wales, or for English people living here, this is one of the eye-opening books to read.
It made me laugh and make me think. Mike's writing makes for a quick and delightful read.
He's an extremely likeable author who also writes excellent travel books and is a part of the literary landscape in the principality.

[Alan Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is well-written, easy to read book. It is quite short and only last a day or so. However, during those two days it is humorous and informative and does give a fell for the animosity that runs across the border. A very similar book could be written from either the Scottish or Irish perspectiv...

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unvarnished portrayal of the deep seated hostility between the English and the Welsh. The author is a particularly well qualified observer of this unfortunate and still unresolved issue between these neighboring cultures.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polemic, but sprinkled with wisdom of humanity and even humility.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very hopeful that this was written and published.

[Lynette Twaddle]

This is a very interesting book that makes a good number of points....