Rules Britannia

Sep 23, 2024 6:24 AM

Author:Rohan Candappa

Rules Britannia

What exactly does it mean to be British? Forget the official Citizenship Test, what do newcomers really need to understand to be part of this Great Nation? Does it involve wearing plastic Union Jack bowler hats? Perhaps sinking a tankard of ale? In these confused multicultural times it's difficult to know...

Well, fear not, because Rules Britannia is here to answer the 101 Essential Questions of Britishness - from the straightforward ('What is the point of the Boat Race?') to the historical ('Why couldn't the Daleks conquer the universe?'); the metaphysical ('Who is the "one" who has been barred from "All Bar One"?') to the totally unfathomable ('Elizabeth Hurley. Explain.'). Within the wisdom-packed pages of this seminal tome you'll also discover how Tim Henman can be both a hero and a villain, why a stiff upper-lip is treated as a source of pride rather than a facial condition, and why custard and gravy - the two key lubricants of a frankly limited cuisine - are locked in a yin-and-yang like struggle for dominance which neither can ever win.

Written with an absurd, off-beat sense of humour, bestselling author Rohan Candappa both sends up and celebrates our Sceptered Isle. And, after all, what could be more British than an absurd, off-beat sense of humour?

Reviews

The perfect Christmas present for Gordon Brown... Shrewd.'

—— Olliver Pritchett , Sunday Times

An extremely funny, tongue-in-cheek look at characteristics of the British.'

—— The Good Book Guide

One of the few books I've read and thought “I get that”. Honest, joyful and relatable

—— Nadiya Hussain

Who hasn’t tried the French tuck? Peppered with fashion dos and don’t s, the memoir of arguably Doncaster’s most famous TV export is a must for any Queer Eye fan.

—— Evening Standard

Tan's book is moving, insightful, and hilare. Any bad stories about me are totally untrue, but the rest is brilliant. Best book of the millennium!

—— Jonathan Van Ness

Just when I thought I knew everything about Tan, he hits me with this. His story is so heartwarming, and wickedly funny.

—— Antoni Porowski

It's full of everything you’d hope to read from Netflix’s most popular fashion expert – styling tips, tongue-in-cheek quips and a candid, conversational dive into his personal life … It’s hard to imagine how readers wouldn’t be touched by at least one of the many stories Tan tells

—— Refinery29

A breezy and refreshingly candid look at the man behind the patterned shirts … a genuinely fascinating life story

—— Irish Times

Naturally Tan is a joy … he doesn’t shy away from topics of homophobia, racism and mental health, and how they’ve touched his life and influenced his decisions. Laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes blunt and always honest, reading Naturally Tan is like hanging out with Tan himself … [it will] inspire anyone wondering how to make their voice heard in a world that doesn’t always want to listen.

—— The Skinny

Always a fan of Orsola, her thinking & doing. You'll not want to put her new book down!

—— Safia Minney, MBE, Founder People Tree, Author & Climate Activist

A high energy book which brings powerful ideas of change to a new audience

—— Professor Kate Fletcher, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, University of the Arts London

This is such a progressive step for humanity! Orsola makes changing our consumption habits and saving our planet a fun and doable practice. With all the glaringly obvious facts, how can we not take part in the fashion revolution? Yes to mending, repairing and rewearing!

—— Samantha Moyo, ‘Extinction Rebellion Together’ Diversity Coordinator

A helpful inspiring book with simple steps that we can all commit too and benefit from straight away

—— Melissa Hemsley, author and columnist for British Vogue

I'm a huge admirer of Orsola and her work. I love this book's mindful approach to looking after our clothes, giving us the tools to love them for longer and show respect to the people who made them

—— Venetia La Manna 'Slow fashion campaigner, broadcaster and co-founder of Remember Who Made Them'

Hands down Academic Couture. Loved Clothes Last is a beautifully constructed and eloquently written masterpiece. Orsola weaves the importance of the cultural influence of the fashion industry, how it's destroyed us and how it can save us with the economic and environmental impact on people and planet, the beauty of buttons and how to darn a sock, she successfully interlaces "why we wear" with "why we should care

—— Patrick Duffy

Orsola represents both radical grace and graceful radicalness. This book is a super inspiring how to guide for all of us that want to emulate her

—— Alice Jay, activist and conservationist

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