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This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
Adam Kay | 2017 | Biography
9
9.0 (44 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny and doesn't hold back (0 more)
Gives an amazing insight into the life of a junior doctor in Britain. It is funny but also horrifying just how overworked and mistreated our Dr's are.
  
The Good Immigrant
The Good Immigrant
Nikesh Shukla | 2016 | Essays
10
9.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
An important read for modern Britain
Nikesh Shukla has done a phenomenal job in compiling various essays to highlight the voices of marginalised Britain.

From bloggers to actors such as Riz Ahmed, the writings show the experiences of growing up with dual cultures and how society continues to be colour blind instead of embracing these differences.

In Ahmed's story for example, he describes going to America because he was constantly typecasted in the UK film industry. As he headed to play a role in the new Star Wars movie, he was detained at the airport for the umpteenth time to be questioned. It shows no matter how much he strived, the prejudices remain.

And that's just one anecdote of many voices. It is riveting and engaging, finally giving the opportunity to hear about second generation, children of immigrants in Britain.
  
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Guy Garvey recommended Smiley's People in TV (curated)

 
Smiley's People
Smiley's People
1982 | Drama, Mystery
8.5 (2 Ratings)
TV Show Favorite

"I love a Cold War thriller. This is an exercise in subtlety. It’s about bringing down Smiley’s arch rival, Karla, played by Patrick Stewart. It’s a really interesting portrait of Seventies Britain. Cortinas and flares: bring it on"

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Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
1981 | Classics, Comedy
10
8.0 (40 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
The benchmark all sitcoms should be measured by. (0 more)
Lovely Jubley
So most of Britain has seen this but as it's now on Netflix, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD SHOULD SEE IT. I still laugh at this and I've seen every episode 20 times.
  
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Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about Darkest Hour (2017) in Movies

Oct 15, 2017 (Updated Oct 15, 2017)  
Video

DARKEST HOUR - Official Trailer

A thrilling and inspiring true story begins at the precipice of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials.

  
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race
10
9.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
A thoughtful collection of essays talking about race issues in Britain. Clear, concise arguments and points that are consistent and well thought out. This one really made me think and consider my own experiences as a white middle-class woman. I adored this. Everyone needs to read it.
  
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Charley (64 KP) rated Gilded Cage in Books

Jan 26, 2019  
Gilded Cage
Gilded Cage
Vic James | 2017 | Children
9
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dystopian fantacy (0 more)
The first book I what I thought was an amazing trilogy. Set in a dystopian Britain where the elite ruled because of a skill they had not unlike magic. It follows the struggles of the country as ultimately the normal people wish to take their country back.
  
Notes from a Small Island: Journey Through Britain
Notes from a Small Island: Journey Through Britain
Bill Bryson | 2012 | Travel
7
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rambling, in all ways
A friend recommended this as a good read, although just quite why escapes me, but I thought I’d give it a read. Whilst there are some great bits in this book, it’s let down by its rather rambling and long winded nature.

This is rather like a informal guide book, and actually, I’d love to see real guide books like this - giving a rather honest and frank opinion on a city or area. I do think Bryson might have held back a little on his opinions, but there are still quite scathing in parts and that’s what I liked about this book. He’s really captured the essence of Britain and British life, even considering the fact that this book was written over 20 years ago! From terrible lift maintenance, the nightmare of driving in Britain and the mick-taking way of life, he really has got us spot on and there are a lot of times I laughed out loud reading this.

The problem is that Bryson goes on a rambling trip across Britain, and his writing style is rather rambling and long winded too. I struggled to get through some of this book as it doesn’t half ramble on, especially as it’s a country I know a fair bit about already.

Still I’d recommend this to anyone wanting to find out more about Britain, just bear in mind it’s a few years out of date!
  
Midway (2019)
Midway (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, History
When I was at school, the Battle of Midway was barely touched upon.

The Somme? Yep.

The Battle of Britain? Absolutely.

Pearl Harbour? Briefly.

That, I'm guessing, would be completely different if I lived in America (instead of, as I do, Great Britain).

So Midway, itself, was a battle that I really only learnt about in later life and then really only in the most general of terms.

This movie seeks to retell the events that led up to, and occurred within, that battle after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbo(u)r that led to the US joining the Second World War, Unfortunately, it's largely forgettable (and largely bloodless), with none of the cast really making all that much of an impact.
  
Five on a Treasure Island: Book 1
Five on a Treasure Island: Book 1
Enid Blyton, Eileen Soper | 2015 | Children
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I grew up reading the Famous Five books, and recently I reread the first one and was shocked to realize it contains the first trans person I ever encountered, and also how much its almost fetishistic description of food had everything to do with the rationing that Britain was ensuring at the time. Lashings and lashing of ginger beer!"

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