Two Nations Divided...

"It may be truism that Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language, but it's truer to say that the two nations are united by language and divided by everything else. These differences--- of manners, mores, assumptions, expectations--- are the subject of 'The Anglo Files,' by Sarah Lyall..." (New York Times review)

Sarah Lyall

The second book that I have been reading for this class is entitled "The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British" by Sarah Lyall. Sarah Lyall, an American who has moved and has lived in Britain for over a decade with her English born husband has written a book about her first experiences living in England and the strangeness she has encountered. The fourteen chapters of the book, one entitiled 'Naughty Boys and Rumpy-Pumpy', comment on English eccentrics, animals, food, class, sex, and inevitably, the British and their teeth. She does like to poke fun at both Parliament and the House of Commons, but Lyall does in fact like and respect the British people. 

The first thing that drew my attention to this book way Lyall's comical way of writing. (If you are looking for a book with humor and sarcasm, this is definitely one to pick up!) She takes the obvious stereotypes of England and makes it interesting, without keeping it the same comment recycled and put on paper.

"Just as some women are inexplicably attracted to prison inmates, so others yearn above all for Englishmen, with their thrilling accents, rumpled boyish hair, and ability to make even pointless banalities sound like brilliant repartee. For one of those, you think, and you will never be lost for conversation...Englishmen present an impeccable facade---capable, articulate, charming and, best of all, ripe for emotional awakening at the deft hands of a clever foreigner..." (11-12)

Along with her clever witticism, this book give an insight into the British people and the curiosities and peculiarities that we, as outsiders, and more importantly, as Americans, see in them. She draws a line between our two cultures, solidifying that language may be the only thing the US and England share in common. "We look to the future; they look to the past. We run for election; they stand for it. We noisily proclaim our Americanness; they shuffle their feet and apologize for their Britishness." Lyall also tries her best at tackling the common preconceptions of the British, all of which, in her telling, turn out to be more or less true. First, it is clear that in her mind cleanliness is not up to her American standards. Second, the dependably bad food. And lastly, the issue of Englishmen as being gay. I don't know if I can agree with her on these points that she brings up but it was nonetheless entertaining to hear from her point of view.

All in all, I found this book entertain to say the least. It was an interesting look at the British through the eyes of an American journalist whom is now living in England.