Synopses & Reviews
Hugh Dennis has secretly been worrying about what being "British" meant for nearly a decade, ever since his friend Ardal O'Hanlon had told him in passing that he was the most British person he had ever met. Hugh was unclear whether he was being praised, teased, vaguely insulted, or possibly all three—because it has always been very difficult to know how to feel about being British. And then the London Olympics came along. We gave the world a gleaming new vision of Britain: a smiling Britain of achievement, a Britain responsible for leading the world into the modern era through the Agrarian and Industrial revolutions, a nation proud to embrace multiculturalism, individuality, and eccentricity. A country where a major politician can dangle helplessly from a zip wire like a discarded straw dolly and gain in popularity, and whose Queen can send herself up and then descend by parachute. The unexpected legacy of the Games has been a Britain with a newfound self-confidence in which we all know how to be British. A Britain which should be embarrassed by nothing and proud of everything, from sheep to chimneys to the Spice Girls to industrial action and what had always previously been described as our "ailing transport network." A Britain which having been pinned firmly in its own half, has dribbled the length of the field, tackled the defenders, unleashed a curling dipping shot into the top right hand corner, scored a wonder goal, and is now kissing the badge. This is Hugh Dennis' exploration of the changing image of Britain and Britishness.
Synopsis
Hugh Dennis' hilarious and insightful exploration of the changing image of Britain and Britishness will enthral those who love Outnumbered, The Now Show, Mock the Week and quintessentially British humour.
'Utterly readable and laugh-out-loud funny' - Stephen Fry
Hugh Dennis has secretly been worrying about what being "British" meant for nearly a decade, ever since his friend Ardal O'Hanlon had told him in passing that he was the most British person he had ever met. Hugh was unclear whether he was being praised, teased, vaguely insulted or possibly all three - because it has always been very difficult to know how to feel about being British.
In 2012 we surprised the world. Not only did we provide an Olympic Games much better than Mitt Romney expected, or the French hoped, we also presented a completely new face - a gleaming fresh vision of Britain.
Who thought that the country we knew so well would suddenly nip up into the national loft and bring down so much we had all forgotten about?
What are our great traditions?
Are we really good at inventing stuff?
Are we obsessed by the weather?
Did we invent Democracy?
Who was Kenneth Branagh meant to be in that opening ceremony?
Frankly this country has got some explaining to do...
What readers are saying about Britty Britty Bang Bang
'Pure Hugh Dennis Witty Britty A witty anecdote in every other sentence'
'An amusing yet also enlightening trawl through British history and cultural values'
'Hugh Dennis writes very much in character - highly amusing and observant'
About the Author
Hugh Dennis is an award-winning writer, actor and comedian best known for weekly satirical panel show Mock The Week, Radio 4's The Now Show and BBC sit-com Outnumbered. He lives in Sussex with his real wife and his real children. To their annoyance he is interested in almost everything. He reads, runs, cycles, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.