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A Love Letter to Europe: An outpouring of sadness and hope – Mary Beard, Shami Chakrabati, William Dalrymple, Sebastian Faulks, Neil Gaiman, Ruth Jones, J.K. Rowling, Sandi Toksvig and others
Great writers, artists, musicians and thinkers in British life say what Europe means to an outpouring of love and sadness. With pieces from Frank Cottrell Boyce, Melvyn Bragg, Margaret Drabble, Alan Hollinghurst, Will Hutton, Holly Johnson, Penelope Lively, Jonathan Meades, Deborah Moggach, Alan Moore, Jackie Morris, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Chris Riddle, Tony Robinson, Pete Townshend, Kate Williams, Michael Wood and many more...
As Britain pulls away from Europe great British writers come together to give voice to their innermost feelings. Contributing essays that contain some of their finest writings and perspectives very different to the ones given in news outlets. The creative community here has its say on Brexit. Novelists, artists, comedians, historians, biographers, nature writers, film writers, travel writers, people young and old and from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. Most are famous perhaps because they have won the Booker or other literary prizes, written bestsellers, changed the face of popular culture or sold millions of records. Others are not yet household names but write with depth of insight and feeling.
There is some extraordinary writing in this book. Some of these pieces are expressions of love of particular places in Europe. Some are true stories, some nostalgic, many hopeful. There are hilarious pieces. There are cries of pain and regret. Some pieces are quietly devastating. All are passionate. They show how Europe has helped us to expand our emotional, intellectual and artistic bandwidth, and hopefully will continue to do just that.
Contributors
Mary Beard, Jeffrey Boakye, Melvyn Bragg, Simon Callow, B. Catling, Shami Chakrabarti, Chris Cleave, Frank Cottrell Boyce, William Dalrymple, Lindsey Davis, Margaret Drabble, Tracey Emin, Michel Faber, Sebastian Faulks, Neil Gaiman, Evelyn Glennie, Alan Hollinghurst, Will Hutton, Holly Johnson, Ruth Jones, A.L. Kennedy, Hermione Lee, Prue Leith, Roger Lewis, Penelope Lively, Richard Mabey, Jonathan Meades, Andrew Miller, Deborah Moggach, Alan Moore, Paul Morley, Jackie Morris, Charles Nicholl, Irenosen Okojie, Onjali Q. Raúf, Chris Riddell, Tony Robinson, J.K. Rowling, Rhik Samadder, Isy Suttie, Sandi Toksvig, Pete Townshend, Kate Williams and Michael Wood.
As Britain pulls away from Europe great British writers come together to give voice to their innermost feelings. Contributing essays that contain some of their finest writings and perspectives very different to the ones given in news outlets. The creative community here has its say on Brexit. Novelists, artists, comedians, historians, biographers, nature writers, film writers, travel writers, people young and old and from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. Most are famous perhaps because they have won the Booker or other literary prizes, written bestsellers, changed the face of popular culture or sold millions of records. Others are not yet household names but write with depth of insight and feeling.
There is some extraordinary writing in this book. Some of these pieces are expressions of love of particular places in Europe. Some are true stories, some nostalgic, many hopeful. There are hilarious pieces. There are cries of pain and regret. Some pieces are quietly devastating. All are passionate. They show how Europe has helped us to expand our emotional, intellectual and artistic bandwidth, and hopefully will continue to do just that.
Contributors
Mary Beard, Jeffrey Boakye, Melvyn Bragg, Simon Callow, B. Catling, Shami Chakrabarti, Chris Cleave, Frank Cottrell Boyce, William Dalrymple, Lindsey Davis, Margaret Drabble, Tracey Emin, Michel Faber, Sebastian Faulks, Neil Gaiman, Evelyn Glennie, Alan Hollinghurst, Will Hutton, Holly Johnson, Ruth Jones, A.L. Kennedy, Hermione Lee, Prue Leith, Roger Lewis, Penelope Lively, Richard Mabey, Jonathan Meades, Andrew Miller, Deborah Moggach, Alan Moore, Paul Morley, Jackie Morris, Charles Nicholl, Irenosen Okojie, Onjali Q. Raúf, Chris Riddell, Tony Robinson, J.K. Rowling, Rhik Samadder, Isy Suttie, Sandi Toksvig, Pete Townshend, Kate Williams and Michael Wood.
- GenresNonfictionEbooks
352 pages, Hardcover
Published December 29, 2020
About the author
Melvyn Bragg
128 books144 followersMelvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, FRSL, FRTS (born 6 October 1939) is an English author, broadcaster and media personality who, aside from his many literary endeavours, is perhaps most recognised for his work on The South Bank Show.
Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.
He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.
Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.
He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 1, 2020
I had read a few of these letters in the article in The Guardian already but after seeing that they had published an actual book with these, I was too tempted not to buy it.
Brexit, like most political topics especially of the present, is almost impossible to talk about without a few people losing their shit. And depending on a family's situation, I get it. But mostly it's idiots who do the yelling. Since I’m pretty tired of all these people foaming at the mouth just because they have forgotten how to have an actual discussion / debate (with that I mean a CIVILIZED discussion / debate), let’s not get into that.
Instead, I want to talk about how this book made me feel while reading it.
The idea (how the book came to be) is explained in the foreword, that the curator wanted to commemorate having been part of Europe somehow. Because let’s face it: no matter your personal opinion of the EU, there is some historical gravitas to the membership and therefore to GB leaving. From free travel to tax-free exchanges of certain goods, contributions to health care and the educational system - despite the EU’s faults, both sides had huge benefits from the partnership.
Anyway, a number of authors, entertainers, artists and musicians have been asked to write anecdotes about Europe. What it means to them, special connections they might have to the mainland etc. Once again: it’s not about the politics but about personal opinion and feeling.
Big names such as Neil Gaiman, Sandi Toksvig and Chris Riddell are in here alongside relatively new ones. Some writers are male, others female, some are black, others white, some were born in GB, others are immigrants. All of them are affected by Brexit, of course.
There were some heartwarming tributes yesterday, one of which is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lanv...
It does emphasize the historical significance of the union (GB was a member for 47 years after all), the idea we shouldn’t let die. I was never one to throw in the towel, I’m more a person that pushes up her sleeves and gets to work. Nevertheless, I’m also no fear monger so of course Brexit won’t mean GB’s or the EU’s downfall. Still, it’s a shame.
Some of the anecdotes here were better than others (as was bound to happen) but they all had a very nice ring to them. Some were a more objective look at the whole affair while others were deeply personal (my favourites are from both camps).
And we got some nice art work as well:
So yes, it was a nice reading experience yesterday and I'm glad I commemorated this day of great change (whether for good or ill is not important right now) with these stories that I might even come back to at some point.
Brexit, like most political topics especially of the present, is almost impossible to talk about without a few people losing their shit. And depending on a family's situation, I get it. But mostly it's idiots who do the yelling. Since I’m pretty tired of all these people foaming at the mouth just because they have forgotten how to have an actual discussion / debate (with that I mean a CIVILIZED discussion / debate), let’s not get into that.
Instead, I want to talk about how this book made me feel while reading it.
The idea (how the book came to be) is explained in the foreword, that the curator wanted to commemorate having been part of Europe somehow. Because let’s face it: no matter your personal opinion of the EU, there is some historical gravitas to the membership and therefore to GB leaving. From free travel to tax-free exchanges of certain goods, contributions to health care and the educational system - despite the EU’s faults, both sides had huge benefits from the partnership.
Anyway, a number of authors, entertainers, artists and musicians have been asked to write anecdotes about Europe. What it means to them, special connections they might have to the mainland etc. Once again: it’s not about the politics but about personal opinion and feeling.
Big names such as Neil Gaiman, Sandi Toksvig and Chris Riddell are in here alongside relatively new ones. Some writers are male, others female, some are black, others white, some were born in GB, others are immigrants. All of them are affected by Brexit, of course.
There were some heartwarming tributes yesterday, one of which is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lanv...
It does emphasize the historical significance of the union (GB was a member for 47 years after all), the idea we shouldn’t let die. I was never one to throw in the towel, I’m more a person that pushes up her sleeves and gets to work. Nevertheless, I’m also no fear monger so of course Brexit won’t mean GB’s or the EU’s downfall. Still, it’s a shame.
Some of the anecdotes here were better than others (as was bound to happen) but they all had a very nice ring to them. Some were a more objective look at the whole affair while others were deeply personal (my favourites are from both camps).
And we got some nice art work as well:
So yes, it was a nice reading experience yesterday and I'm glad I commemorated this day of great change (whether for good or ill is not important right now) with these stories that I might even come back to at some point.
December 17, 2019
I simply loved this book...how horrible is Brexit for UK people who feel Europe is equally their home. As I am an American and also feel I am European, so many parts rang intensely for me.
December 13, 2020
I campaigned tirelessly for Britain to stay in the EU – out on the streets, handing out leaflets, helping to man stalls, signing petitions, writing letters …. I was utterly distraught when the final results of the referendum came in – I still am.
When asked why I believed that Britain was better off in the EU, I would generally bring out the economic, trade and security arguments (mainly because they were the ones on our Remain leaflets). And I do wholeheartedly believe in the importance of those reasons. However, for me it was much more visceral, emotional and personal. I have lived and studied in the EU. Most of my best friends are from the continent. The best 15 months of my life were spent with my husband touring around the EU in our caravan (something that I doubt will now be so easy for future Brits), savouring the different foods, customs, languages … safe in the knowledge that we belonged there and that our health needs would be met if necessary. Europe has had a really profound and overwhelmingly positive impact on me. How to get this across in a quick soundbite on the street?
This book says it all – and extremely eloquently. Each of the 40 contributors has written a very personal letter about what they feel about Europe. There are writers, academics, historians, artists, broadcasters, actors, journalists, musicians, an explorer, a wine-maker and a human rights activist. They come from all classes. While most were born in Britain and still live here, some were born abroad – or live now on the continent. For some it is about their first encounter with the continent (as a child or adult), for some it is about what they have personally gained from Europe – for others it is about what we will now lose. Some focus on the importance of countries and peoples working together, and the catastrophes that occur when we don’t – that the EU has stood for peace in Europe and human rights since its inception.
Writing this review is so hard, because the emotions engendered by this book are still so very raw and painful. It took me an inordinate amount of time to read this book. I kept having to stop -either because the tears would not stop flowing, or because I would start to write my own “Love Letter to Europe”. I gave up reading it in bed, because the words and ideas would sweep round in my head, and drive away any possibility of sleep. I have finally finished it – and cried again.
The last contribution is from Neil Gaiman – and it needs to be quoted in full:
There are so many more quotes that spoke to me (6 pages worth of notes plus so much more), but I will stop now. I will mourn the this loss for the rest of my life – for myself, my compatriots and for the future generations to come. For so many years I was proud to be British AND European. Now, I will live the rest of my life confined to “Little England”.
I implore you to read this book. Whether you voted for Brexit or to Remain, whether you are still a member of the EU, or never have been. This is a love letter to an idea, an ideal – something that thankfully still exists – but that from January 1st 2021 Great Britain will no longer be part of.
When asked why I believed that Britain was better off in the EU, I would generally bring out the economic, trade and security arguments (mainly because they were the ones on our Remain leaflets). And I do wholeheartedly believe in the importance of those reasons. However, for me it was much more visceral, emotional and personal. I have lived and studied in the EU. Most of my best friends are from the continent. The best 15 months of my life were spent with my husband touring around the EU in our caravan (something that I doubt will now be so easy for future Brits), savouring the different foods, customs, languages … safe in the knowledge that we belonged there and that our health needs would be met if necessary. Europe has had a really profound and overwhelmingly positive impact on me. How to get this across in a quick soundbite on the street?
This book says it all – and extremely eloquently. Each of the 40 contributors has written a very personal letter about what they feel about Europe. There are writers, academics, historians, artists, broadcasters, actors, journalists, musicians, an explorer, a wine-maker and a human rights activist. They come from all classes. While most were born in Britain and still live here, some were born abroad – or live now on the continent. For some it is about their first encounter with the continent (as a child or adult), for some it is about what they have personally gained from Europe – for others it is about what we will now lose. Some focus on the importance of countries and peoples working together, and the catastrophes that occur when we don’t – that the EU has stood for peace in Europe and human rights since its inception.
Writing this review is so hard, because the emotions engendered by this book are still so very raw and painful. It took me an inordinate amount of time to read this book. I kept having to stop -either because the tears would not stop flowing, or because I would start to write my own “Love Letter to Europe”. I gave up reading it in bed, because the words and ideas would sweep round in my head, and drive away any possibility of sleep. I have finally finished it – and cried again.
The last contribution is from Neil Gaiman – and it needs to be quoted in full:
“Dear Europe, I loved feeling part of you. That feeling that we were together, our differences combining to make something bigger than either of us. Something unique, something neither of us could have been on our own. We were workmates who became closer than that. I loved knowing that, even though we were a couple, we were still very much ourselves. You weren’t asking me to change the things about myself that I didn’t want to. I loved you when they lied about you. I loved the things you gave me: the peace and the prosperity, the knowledge that in a fight you’d have my back. I loved that you saw me as odd, ill-fitting, awkward in our relationship, but you accepted what made me special, even seemed to appreciate it. With you, I could go anywhere. I loved the people you brought into my world, and loved going places with you. I heard things, tasted things, delighted in things I would never have encountered without you. If we had children, they had so many places they would have been at home, so many places they could have lived. I don’t know why I’m leaving you, but I know how it goes. I said things I can’t take back. I did things I regret. I wish things could be like they were. That’s all I want for both of us. That things could be like they used to be. But you’ll be fine without me, my love. How I’ll be, without you, I’m not so sure . . . still love Neil”
There are so many more quotes that spoke to me (6 pages worth of notes plus so much more), but I will stop now. I will mourn the this loss for the rest of my life – for myself, my compatriots and for the future generations to come. For so many years I was proud to be British AND European. Now, I will live the rest of my life confined to “Little England”.
I implore you to read this book. Whether you voted for Brexit or to Remain, whether you are still a member of the EU, or never have been. This is a love letter to an idea, an ideal – something that thankfully still exists – but that from January 1st 2021 Great Britain will no longer be part of.
March 9, 2026
2.75⭐(book 12/30 - 2026)
February 8, 2020
Lovely book. Stories from the heart.
February 11, 2020
Interesting read. A collection of brief anecdotes and essays. There are some real highlights (Colin Tude and Michel Faber in particular) but the majority are a bit underwhelming and surprisingly repetitive (there are more countries in Europe that France you know).
All in all I'm glad I picked it up. It was, pleasantly, less political and more hopeful/reflective than I expected.
All in all I'm glad I picked it up. It was, pleasantly, less political and more hopeful/reflective than I expected.
October 6, 2022
I liked this book, for the simple messages of love to Europe. The Brexit decision was hard to understand from some writers perspective but they were still able to convey messages of hope in their changing world. An easy read.
March 31, 2022
An eclectic and eminently readable collection of essays praising the European experience written in the wake of the Brexit Referendum result.
February 1, 2020
This is a must read for anyone feeing bereft about our leaving the EU - funny, sad, poignant and heartrending in abundance, but also with glimmers of hope and so much goodwill....somehting I will turn to again and again...
July 27, 2021
I'm well aware that part of the reason I like this is because it's an echo chamber for me (although I didn't agree with everyone's take, it's very clearly a book for Us Traitors What Voted Remain), and there is also the fact that a lot of the stories come across as super-privileged...
BUT
The thing that really struck me while reading this was the fact that, one day, a bunch of Eton-and-Oxford-educated Tory unprintables decided that they got to be the men of the people while all artists and intellectuals were deemed to be inherently poncy liberals who were out of touch with reality and I'm left thinking...
Who keeps making it so it's so mm mm difficult to be an artist unless you have some kind of privilege?
Who keeps society structured in such a way that art is viewed as something for the middle classes upwards?
And how exactly does BrExit remove barriers to being able to study, work and travel in places that help expose us to other cultures and widen our worldview?
Anyway, four stars, would reread.
BUT
The thing that really struck me while reading this was the fact that, one day, a bunch of Eton-and-Oxford-educated Tory unprintables decided that they got to be the men of the people while all artists and intellectuals were deemed to be inherently poncy liberals who were out of touch with reality and I'm left thinking...
Who keeps making it so it's so mm mm difficult to be an artist unless you have some kind of privilege?
Who keeps society structured in such a way that art is viewed as something for the middle classes upwards?
And how exactly does BrExit remove barriers to being able to study, work and travel in places that help expose us to other cultures and widen our worldview?
Anyway, four stars, would reread.
May 9, 2025
I left the UK 50 years ago, and have returned for barely three weekend visits. I was a working-class lad. We lived in a terraced house with no bathroom. I left school at 15, did manage to get an apprenticeship but it was all a bit dismal. I was poor but didn't feel poor (never have). I married an Austrian au pair. She took me home and I never looked back. It was rough going at first, but I emerged as a bloke who had written a book, been published as a journalist in 12 countries, become a self-employed German/English translator, and now in retirement a potter with his own studio. Am I bragging? Well, perhaps a bit. But the main point is that I am convinced it would not have all been possible in the UK. Of course, like most of the contributors to this book, I am sorry Brexit occurred. I feel sorry for the Brits I left behind. But I don't feel sorry (again like many of the contributors) about the food, the music, the architecture - just simply the general atmosphere of living in continental Europe. Austria is bordered by eight countries, so there is tons of scope for travel. Nevertheless we tend to head south for our holidays. I feel sorry for the UK. I worry about the Brits. I hate to say it, but if any youngster asked me for advice, I would tell them to leave.
October 29, 2020
A collection of essays by writers, artists, musicians etc in celebration if Europe. Some interesting reads They are all pretty short and can be dipped in and out of. However there is quite a bit of reputation many people saying similar things and sharing experiences of many of the same places. It's worth a read for anyone who shares the sorrow that the UK has decided to leave the EU and is handy if you've just got a few minutes spare as all the essays are pretty short.
November 25, 2021
I’m not a great lover of short stories so I struggled with this, not helped by having to look up each author at the back of the book before reading their tale. Much as I empathise fully with the sentiments expressed I did find it all a bit samey as the book went in. That said, there are some beautiful reflections on what is such a sad discussion.
August 14, 2020
Europeans I love you and hate you all at the same time don't be sad though hope is a bay a anchor can save you
September 18, 2020
Writers and thinkers from every part of Britain on leaving the EU, and what being part of the EU has meant to them (most of it good, very good indeed).
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews