Wish You Were Here: England on Sea

Description

In this gloriously original social history, Travis Elborough argues that our national character - our snobbishness and willingness to laugh at ourselves, our attitudes to sex and fair play and our chequered relationship with national pride - has been forged against a backdrop of stormy skies and pebbly beaches. Covering everything from Agatha Christie to the Prince Regent via Billy Butlin and Brighton Rock, this is a book for anyone who has ever wrestled with a deckchair, braved a sopping esplanade or felt the crunch of sand in a sandwich.

Descending from a line that pioneered pirate-themed eateries and shell-shaded electric lamps, Travis grew up in Worthing on the Sussex coast. It is quite hard to grow up in a place where almost everyone else has gone to die. He is the author of two acclaimed books, The Bus We Loved and The Long-Player Goodbye. He lives in London.

Elborough is an English nostalgist in the mode of John Betjeman... as a cultural commentator [Elborough] is a terrific companion... Wish You Were Here is quirky, chatty, charming and optimistic - an ideal read for the English beach. - Frances Wilson, Sunday Times Meticulously researched and trenchantly expressed, Wish You Were Here is as bright and breezy as a trip in a pleasure steamer. - Daily Mail The perfect beach book - Marie Claire [Elborough] has done his research thoroughly and writes with enormous wit and feeling. His book punches far above its weight in both style and substance. - Mail on Sunday a charming study of our national beachside frolics - Independent Timely, bittersweet beach reading - Telegraph