Book info

• Title Unruly
• Author David Mitchell
• Year 2023
• Genre History

Think you know your kings and queens? Think again. Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), Unruly tells the founding story of post-Roman England up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut. How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David Mitchell answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history – and won't let it off the hook for the mess it's made.

Thoughts

This was a really great book, particularly if you love David Mitchell’s style of humour. He delves into the history of the ruling families, up until the point where the monarchy has no real power any more. I did feel like you sort of have to power through the start a bit, David himself says it’s all a bit of a murky mish-mash of stuff so far back so I’m surprised there is quite so much time spent on it. But the style is so fun, so engaging, and everything is explained really well, you barely notice that you might be learning something along the way.

Rating: 4 / 5