Rating: 
Summary: Amusing and worth reading (unless you're English!)
Review: I bought England, England after watching an interview with Julian Barnes on French television. The commentator made it clear that, in her view, the English had received the book badly, being upset that somebody could mock their monarchy and their traditions. Being Manx (which is British, but NOT English) I couldn't wait to get my hands on the book, and sat feeling smug as the postman arrived.I wasn't disappointed. Barnes lets rip at commercialisation, and at the outdated English acceptance of things they feel to be beyond their control. He portrays England as a Disneyland, with the prince (guess which one!) as one of the buffoon Mickey Mouse characters. Good for him - he hit that one right on the nose! Whether or not the English didn't like England, England, I can't say (there are plenty of non-Monarchists over there), but the book was a worthy read and kept me giggling and guffawing for some days. Barnes' characterizations are somewhat mixed (some good, some less so) but his portrayal of 'Sir Jack' makes up for any shortcomings in that particular department.
Rating: 
Summary: Reader
Review: I could not trust the brief from the hard cover editions, If you want to compare nationalistm, there is MAUVEIS SANG from Arthur Rimbaud. Mr. Barnes is right abuot England is becoming Disneyland (even Disney was spanish born). He depicts much from the british culture.It is quite different from Spain ( because I'm from a former spanish colohy), where althought there are not becoming Disneyland. After a few years living in the island ( England) it shall not notice such a big difference between US and England. Let the Connaisseur talks.
Rating: 
Summary: Good idea, flawed execution
Review: I enjoyed the premise of the book, given that England seems to be well on its way to becoming one big theme park, almost overflowing with so-called "experiences" to milk tourists. But Barnes doesn't quite deliver on the promise, although the writing is good and the book has its funny moments. I enjoyed the list of essential English traits and objects- only notable ommission was the Beatles (if I remember correctly). Having said this, the book is still worth reading, although I enjoyed The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters more.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, flawed execution
Review: I enjoyed the premise of the book, given that England seems to be well on its way to becoming one big theme park, almost overflowing with so-called "experiences" to milk tourists. But Barnes doesn't quite deliver on the promise, although the writing is good and the book has its funny moments. I enjoyed the list of essential English traits and objects- only notable ommission was the Beatles (if I remember correctly). Having said this, the book is still worth reading, although I enjoyed The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters more.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, flawed execution
Review: I enjoyed the premise of the book, given that England seems to be well on its way to becoming one big theme park, almost overflowing with so-called "experiences" to milk tourists. But Barnes doesn't quite deliver on the promise, although the writing is good and the book has its funny moments. I enjoyed the list of essential English traits and objects- only notable ommission was the Beatles (if I remember correctly). Having said this, the book is still worth reading, although I enjoyed The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters more.
Rating: 
Summary: enjoyable,... if only it were written by Aldous Huxley!
Review: I thought the book was witty in some places but I just wish that its themes of reality and class had been treated in a more, um, mature and serious way. I finished it in a few days and donated it to the local library.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed with the development of the Created England. I felt that more description should have gone into the societal development than into character development. I was really looking forward to reading the book. Although I found it to be contrived and predictable, it was entertaining to some degree.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining vision of capitalism and marketing!
Review: I would view this book like a sandwich with bread that has become a bit stale. Cut off the edges and you have a darn good meal. The meat of this novel is the center sections, surrounded on either side with sections of a very different character. It is in this center section that we are taken to the real heart of this book: a send up of our 20th/21st century need to repackage and remarket our world. Disney beware...this novel is a view into your fake heart, a clear vision of Marx's belief that capitalism will lead to the commodification everything. If your even an armchair cynic, you will find the heart of this book entertaining and enlightening. Just make sure you push through those 1st 20 pages. They are good, but not nearly as engaging as the middle of the book. Bon appetit!
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining vision of capitalism and marketing!
Review: I would view this book like a sandwich with bread that has become a bit stale. Cut off the edges and you have a darn good meal. The meat of this novel is the center sections, surrounded on either side with sections of a very different character. It is in this center section that we are taken to the real heart of this book: a send up of our 20th/21st century need to repackage and remarket our world. Disney beware...this novel is a view into your fake heart, a clear vision of Marx's belief that capitalism will lead to the commodification everything. If your even an armchair cynic, you will find the heart of this book entertaining and enlightening. Just make sure you push through those 1st 20 pages. They are good, but not nearly as engaging as the middle of the book. Bon appetit!
Rating:
Summary: Jurassic Park Meets Monty Python
Review: In Julian Barnes' extremely cynical work, England, England we find, not only terrific one-liners, but the finest example of that driest brand of wit so peculiar to the British Isles. England, England tells the story of Sir Jack Pitman, an ambitious but clumsy business tycoon who entertains, to put it mildly, illusions (or could it be delusions) of grandeur. A patriot in the extreme, Sir Jack gazes at his beloved England on the eve of the third millennium and is dismayed by what he sees: a tired and haggard Empire, one that has run its course and one on which the sun is just about to set for the very last time. As Sir Jack seeks to enliven both England and his own private empire, he hatches a novel idea. England, Pitman decides, could and should, become the center of world tourism. The world may have become jaded, Sir Jack decides, but England, with its rich history and centuries of accumulated wisdom, still has much to offer. Rightly or wrongly, Sir Jack decides that tourists would be just as happy viewing an historical replica as they would the real thing. With this idea in mind, he sets out to create England, England on the Isle of Wight, a small island off the southern coast of England. England, England is no Disneyworld, however, replete with dizzying rides and silly cartoon characters, and as Sir Jack strives to recreate all that the United Kingdom has come to symbolize, he decides to open this lavish theme park only to those with the most pristine of credit ratings. Pitman's assembled staff are quite an interesting mix. One of the best and, paradoxically, one of the worst, is Martha Cochrane, a cynical, bright and empty woman, hired specifically to elevate England, England to a level of absurdity previously unknown. Nothing is spared in bringing Sir Jack's dream to fruition and England, England emerges as the total British experience, complete with historical figures and pubs that dispense the requisite warm beer. In England, England, appearances are the most important thing. Writing with biting satire and a darkly misanthropic vision, Barnes fashions Pitman into a man who cares little for historical accuracy, but simply wants to make people feel better than they really are. At its heart, England, England is one of the most stinging indictments of today's corporate business practices and the erosion of social values that support the pursuit of money at the cost of personal humanity and freedom. Although England, England may be just a bit too British for the general American readership, I think most will still find this book immensely enjoyable. The characters are more than a little despicable, but each receives a reward that is proportionate to his deeds. Barnes, as always, writes brilliantly, and this alone, makes the book worth reading. Although I loved England, England, I can understand why many people may ultimately feel depressed by its theme and come to feel that we all, rather than just Barnes' characters, unfortunately, live in a world devoid of hope.
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