The Full English cover art

The Full English

A Journey in Search of a Country and Its People

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The Full English

By: Stuart Maconie
Narrated by: Stuart Maconie
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About this listen

A Sunday Times Book of the Week and Top 10 Bestseller

A Waterstones Travel Book of the Year

A Spectator Book of the Year

What kind of country is England today?

What does it mean to be English?

Are we hungry for change or seeking old certainties?

Join Stuart Maconie on an enlightening, entertaining journey through England, from Bristol's Banksy to Durham's beaches, from Cotswolds corduroy to Stoke's oatcakes.

As his guide, Maconie walks in the footsteps of J.B. Priestley's classic travelogue, English Journey, to explore our national identity and how it has evolved over the last century. On his way, Stuart takes inspiration from the people he meets at bus stops and train stations, cafes and corner shops.

Travelling the length of the land, Maconie explores the differences between city and town, north and south, and examines our past and present with affection and insight. Whether he’s passing the boutique hotels of Manchester, the moors of Ilkley or the grand houses of Tynemouth, looking out over misty fens or urban skylines, he shines a light on the people who make these places and asks what the future holds for them. Along the way, he uncovers local heroes and secret histories over early breakfasts and last orders.

Through his journey, he lets us see our homes and habits, hopes and eccentricities with fresh eyes. The Full English challenges us to embrace the messy, shifting and diverse nature of England, and to ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be.

©2024 Stuart Maconie (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
Comedy & Humour Great Britain Travel Writing & Commentary England City Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring
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What listeners say about The Full English

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fascinating and funny

A most enjoyable listen from the man himself. he and I are of similar vintage and I am a fellow northerner (Preston) so his frames of reference resonate including his frequent visits to pubs and chippies. The every day observations and conversations he has with ordinary folk are hugely insightful. plus the man is seriously laugh out loud funny. Footnotes will never ever be so entertaining except in Maconies hands.

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3 people found this helpful

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An audible circular journey

Where ever you find yourself in our country there are things to learn from the past

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Maconie’s passion and understanding of the country and its towns and cities is heartfelt.

Excellently narrated and written by Stuart Maconie. His following of JB Priestley’s footsteps around the country has made me want to visit the places he speaks about with passion, knowledge and understanding. An insight into modern day England.

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An interesting insight

I enjoyed this audiobook delivered in Maconie's familiar tones. One of the other reviewers refers to Britain but this is distinctly a trip around England following Priestley's route. It encapsulates well an England divided by a multivariate number of issues. I enjoyed his visits to familiar and unfamiliar (to me) places.

A trip around Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland would discover similarities but also profound differences. It raises many important issues about England but also about a disunited kingdom. Worth a listen.

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Descriptive (overly so)

I’ve read a few of Maconie’s over the years. This is interesting when referring to the people he meets along his version of the English journey and the scathing attack of certain people at the end is great. However his overly descriptive accounts of the land, architecture etc intertwined with superlative and various cultural and literary references made me lose interest at times.

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Interesting retread of JB

I’ve always enjoyed English Journey and this was a fitting update. Stuart’s narration is good but I found it better as a “small chunks” listen. Depressing in some ways but also entertaining.

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Absolutely Superb

Mr Maconie’s best yet. Interesting, funny and truthful. This book makes you feel pride and discomfort at the same time.

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Brilliant.

Simply brilliant.
Great narration by the author.
Great re-telling of Priestley’s journey.
Enjoyable listen all round.

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  • Overall
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Phenomenal

The finest company you could wish for while out walking in parts of England that are, undoubtedly, good enough.
Laugh out loudly, thought provokingly, life affirmingly lovely. Thank You Stuart.

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A must listen!

The clear passion Stuart has for his craft is clearly evident in this. Following Priestley’s footsteps a great audio book.

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