England, England

by Julian Barnes

Knopf, 275 pp., $23

The British empire is fading, and patriotic entrepreneur Jack Pitman can’t stand to see it go. His last great project, he vows, will restore England’s international prominence, and make him some serious money in the process. The project? A miniature recreation of England as a tourist destination on the Isle of Wight, replete with its own royal family, quaint village pubs, Stonehenge, and Merry Band of Thieves. When this absurd concept is played out to its extreme possibilities, the result is not only hilarious but laden with philosophical implications. Author Julian Barnes raises questions about the nature of national identity and the commercialization of culture in a way that sneaks up on you; this is a book you will ponder weeks after finishing it. England, England is a modern masterpiece of imagination, wit, and depth by one of England’s most original and intelligent authors.

This article appears in November 5 • 1999.

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