Mustn't Grumble: In Search of England and the English

Fifteen years ago, Joe Bennett left England for a holiday. Now it’s time to come back. But how is the England of his memory different from the England of the motorway? Identikit High Streets, imported cheeriness (‘Welcome to Sunny Grimsby!’), chicken tikka poker machine pubs -- things aren’t what they used to be. But the longer Joe travels, the more he wonders whether things were ever what they used to be in England. Even a century ago, H. V. Morton, the nation’s most celebrated eulogiser, was In Search of England. Criss-crossing the country by varying means of transport and with varying degrees of enthusiasm, Joe Bennett delivers a dazzlingly funny and poignant portrait of his homeland -- part love letter, part eulogy and part diatribe, it is a wonderful follow-up to the acclaimed LAND OF TWO HALVES and establishes him as one of our most engaging travel writers.

“"In the face of waning traditions and modern tensions, [Bennett] still manages to capture the essence of England."”

"Any travel collection that seeks depth and authenticity should get [this book]." --"Library Journal"
--"Kirkus Reviews"
"His viewpoint is refreshingly simple, deadly accurate and absurdly funny."

Joe Bennett was born in Brighton and since leaving Cambridge University has taught English in a variety of countries including Canada, Spain and New Zealand. He lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Fifteen years ago, Joe Bennett left England for a holiday, but now it's time to come back. But how is the England of his memory different from the England of the motorway? Identikit High Streets, imported cheeriness, and chicken tikka poker machine pubs--things aren't what they used to be. The longer Joe travels, the more he wonders whether things were ever what they used to be in England. Even a century ago, H. V. Morton, the nation's most celebrated eulogiser, was In Search of England. Crisscrossing the country by varying means of transport and with varying degrees of enthusiasm, Joe Bennett delivers a dazzlingly funny and poignant portrait of his homeland--part love letter, part eulogy and part diatribe, it is a wonderful memoir that establishes Bennett as one of the most engaging travel writers.

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