Exotic England: The Making of a Curious Nation

by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

England may be a small country on a small island, but its inhabitants have always had a boundless curiosity about the world beyond their shoreline. From the nation's modern origins in the Renaissance, travellers have eagerly roamed the globe and been enticed by the diversity and richness of other civilizations. And while this appetite for adventure has often been tainted by aggression or exploitation, the English have also carried within them a capacity to soak up new experiences and ideas and to weave them into every aspect of life back home, from language and literature to customs and culture. Here we trace this golden thread of otherness through five centuries of English history to reveal how it has shaped the buildings, flavoured the food, powered the economy, and created a truly diverse society.


Today, when England is no longer synonymous with Britain and the English ask themselves who they are, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown paints a sumptuous and illuminating portrait of who they have been and brings a fresh, invigorating perspective on what 'Englishness' really means.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2015

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why do people immigrate to Britain and hate Britain and the British. If you hate Britain and it's native people and flag and traditions and culture and way of life GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

[Rania T · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars with a lot of interesting facts thrown in.

[Matt Thackeray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written before the recent referendum suggested that some of the ideas proposed in the book aren't true, this book attempts to define "English" (not British) national identity using the Other. While it offers an interesting skim through the murkier parts of colonialism, I still couldn't shake the impression of whitewashing of the past, more "the sun never set on the empire" commentary than "the blood never dried."

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Exotic England here for just $12!

A fresh spin on what it means to be English, this is an interesting addition to any History lover's bookshelf. From food to the economy and everything in between, you will find yourself awash with knowledge.

Elisa, Book Grocer

[Vikas Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most fascinating account of the identity construction of a whole people leavened with external influences freely absorbed..

[The Contented · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully readable book. I fully grasped its political message. But I was also conscious, as I read it, that this was published a year before the Brexit referendum.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this really heavy going. 😐