Blighty: A Cynic's Guide To Britain

by Steve Lowe, Alan McArthur

Having skewered modern life and culture in the bestselling Is it Just Me or is Everything Shit? , Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur set out to uncover the deep dark truth about Britain—its history, its myths, and its people. Over the course of a year they endure the Last Night of the Proms and search for a couple of pissed dragons under a hill in Wales. They witness Scotland rising again (a bit), encounter terrifying Europhobe ladies in Surrey and lose the will to live in Gibraltar. They also meet a lot of druids. Hilarious, provocative, and filled with fascinating facts, Blighty offers a brilliant, alternative vision of the island in the Atlantic that some people call Britain.

Genres: Humor, Comedy

344 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2008

Reviews

[Sevket Akyildiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2008 copy and was impressed - it's very humorous, honest, and de-constructs some national myths and stereotypes about good old Blighty. When I first opened the book I thought it would be yet another standard historical and cultural study of the UK wrapped up with a few jokes; it's actually more sophisticated than that - and underlying the humour is a serious and ongoing critique of how we construct national identity, why, where and when. After visiting the annual Lewes street fireworks parade; Sherwood Forest (to view the Oaks!); the annual Herstmonceux 'War of the Roses' knockabout; Cardiff Bay, etc, I felt it my 'duty' to read this book (and to reflect upon on an alternative view of 'Britishness'). I also learnt that the ancient Druids, to gain spiritual insight, occasionally ate dog meat! Overall, I recommend the book! Perhaps it might be added to the reading list for people about to sit the UK citizenship test!

[Steve Gores · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you do not live in the UK, this book will be frustratingly difficult to read; if you do, you will have to remember the politics of 2008 for it to mean anything, and even then it may not strike you as funny. This is the problem with all humor that is based on politics and current events--it does not age well. Also annoying is the writing, which imitates everyday speech--i.e., there are few real sentences to be found--and is filled with f-bombs. Still, Lowe and his co-writer McArthur have some amusing things to say about ongoing cultural phenomena like Morris dancing, the Proms, and Punch and Judy shows. The problem is that those bits are few and far between.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An off-beat look at British culture and customs

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Britain: you thought it was all about Cameron, Clegg, SiCo, SuBo and Churchill (the talking dog, not the wartime leader). Turns out there’s a lot more to it than that.

Blighty is billed as “a cynic's guide to Britain”. But it's more silly than sarky. Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur trek across the country (and Gibraltar) in search of quintessentially British experiences - the Last Night of the Proms, a charity polo match, an Eisteddfod. Along the way, they lob in historical factoids, offer comical observations and grab a sound bite from Prince William. Delivered in a breezy tone, it’s not unlike being given a guided tour of Windsor Castle by Eddie Izzard.

A couple of examples:
"The sport of British kings is horse-racing. Of course, they don't actually ride the horses, so it would perhaps be more accurate to say that the sport of British kings is betting on horses."

"England has been going to the dogs since at least 1399, which is over 600 years ago. That's a lot of dogs."

But amidst the chirpy bonhomie, the authors let off a few stink bombs. Such as highlighting the SNP's love-in with a "world-famous homophobe", and naming one of Britain's top ten racists as Churchill (the wartime leader, not the talking dog).

Approaching journey’s end, they reflect on the nature of Britain. Who are the English? When was Wales? Why is Garry Bushell? The first two questions are easy enough. Answering the third may require another volume.

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gift from my friend Rosie, I was looking for a quick, easy read after my four-month slog through Dickens. This book is completely overflowing with details from their travels across Britian and various encounters with druids. Definitely funny in places, but I'm afraid the three years away from London meant a fair number of references went over my head.
Thanks to this book I will avoid: Dickensworld Theme Park and Gibraltar, and I am planning my next trip around Eisteddfod - the Welsh festival (of Welshness).

To correct the record, the name of this book is Blighty - The Quest for Britishness, Britain, Britons, Britishness and The British. It is NOT called "Britain".