Just where and what is “Middle England?” Is Slough really as bad as Ricky Gervais makes out? From Shakespeare to Midsomer Murders, Stuart Maconie goes in search of the truth, with plenty of stop-offs for tea and pastries.

Adventures on the High Teas: In Search of Middle England

‘Adventures on the High Teas’ (2009) is the third book by author, presenter, muso and former NME journalist – Stuart Maconie. ‘High Teas’ is Maconie’s attempt to find the heart of the oft referenced ‘Middle England’ and it is a book which is quite rightly unashamedly and unapologetically about all things Middle England and English.  In his attempt to define what is actually the heart of Middle England rather than the oft-quoted metaphorical Middle England, Maconie embarks on his tour of towns and villages considered by many to by typically and quintessentially Middle England.   Whilst Maconie does make many prescient points throughout, ‘High Teas’ is very much written in a style akin to that of Bill Bryson, no bad thing in itself – but does however feel as though it is aimed squarely at the English or at least UK reader. Many of the reference points being perhaps too esoterically English to successfully travel to those further afield – a point about which I’m sure Maconie is more than fully aware.   Without wishing to unfairly patronise or condescend – ‘High Teas’ is a very pleasantly amusing book (perhaps Middle English in itself?) with many a Brysonesque anecdote or transgression thrown in for good measure – the reading of which is a very comfortable and quietly entertaining experience, much as I imagine enjoying a nice chat and a latte with Maconie would be.  That is not however to take anything away or detract from Maconie’s ‘High Teas’ - but don’t expect any serious or meaningful sociological deconstruction or political analysis here, but then again that was never the point.  Overall – Adventures on the High Teas’ provides lots of good, clean and inoffensive Middle English fun!

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