Jimmy
As someone who watched plenty of British comedy while living in the UK as well as being an avid follower of the Would I Lie To You? show, Unruly comes across as a very faithful representation of what it would be like if David Mitchell did an extended history show, replete with sardonic side-notes and rambling rants together with some astute observations. I essentially read this book with the iconic voice of David Mitchell in my head, without even needing the audiobook.
I found it a decent balance between a good chortle and some serious historical analysis, which certainly provides a modern-day dressing down of some of the institutions, relics and personages which are considered hallmarks of British history, but I can see the enjoyment of this book depends heavily on whether the reader enjoys David Mitchell's sense of humour. I'm also unsure about the impact or longevity of the book for a non-UK reader thanks to its high concentration of references to contemporary and recent UK events, many of which would have flown over my head had I not lived there for a few years.
If you are looking for a detailed and intensely researched chronological narrative of the English monarchs, this is not the book for you, but if you instead want to take a cynically lighthearted romp through the Dark to Middle Ages of British history with a focus on those at the top, I think this suits well. Bonus points if you are already semi-engaged with British politics and culture.
As someone who watched plenty of British comedy while living in the UK as well as being an avid follower of the Would I Lie To You? show, Unruly comes across as a very faithful representation of what it would be like if David Mitchell did an extended history show, replete with sardonic side-notes and rambling rants together with some astute observations. I essentially read this book with the iconic voice of David Mitchell in my head, without even needing the audiobook.
I found it a decent balance between a good chortle and some serious historical analysis, which certainly provides a modern-day dressing down of some of the institutions, relics and personages which are considered hallmarks of British history, but I can see the enjoyment of this book depends heavily on whether the reader enjoys David Mitchell's sense of humour. I'm also unsure about the impact or longevity of the book for a non-UK reader thanks to its high concentration of references to contemporary and recent UK events, many of which would have flown over my head had I not lived there for a few years.
If you are looking for a detailed and intensely researched chronological narrative of the English monarchs, this is not the book for you, but if you instead want to take a cynically lighthearted romp through the Dark to Middle Ages of British history with a focus on those at the top, I think this suits well. Bonus points if you are already semi-engaged with British politics and culture.