A Review By Keith Smith

Stuart Maconie is well known to many from his radio shows and TV but also the book ‘Pies and Prejudice’ which we sold really well and got to grips with ‘Up North’. His latest quest to find out if ‘Middle England’ really exists and if so what it is like is a wonderful, absorbing, humorous read. And it features Leamington Spa…now there’s a surprise!

The Observer described him ‘as funny as Bryson and as wise as Orwell’ and I agree. Bryson is funny and observant and quick to get to the nub. So is Stuart Maconie. What I particularly liked was the way in which in seeking ‘Middle England’ he picked up and explored various themes..music would be one, spas another, sense of humour another, and he really picked at them until he felt he had ‘Middle England’ nailed.

Does ‘Middle England’ exist? Of course it does. Does Stuart approve? Surprisingly, yes..he is a big fan. He knows the foibles, the weaknesses, the irritations, but he still concludes that on the whole he’d rather have an England with them and their pies and prejudices (genuine Melton Mowbray from Waitrose) than without.

There’s much to like about this book, not the least that it encourages you to think, and it encourages you to actually want to visit the places involved - from the banal – Slough to the quirky – Edgbaston. I loved being with him on his travels. I loved his sense of humour – understated rather like Alan Bennett. And I thoroughly recommend this book ( and any others he writes! ).