Stephen Fry in America

I've long been a fan of Stephen Fry. His verbal dexterity in live comedy, such as on QI, is clearly of genius quality. His intellect is often superb, such as his sensitive programmes on manic depression, or the performance he gave at the Hay Festival, a tour de force in which he came up with fascinating and broad-minded insights into the American psyche. It was based on that interview that I bought this book, hoping to learn more.

What a disappointment. This is a lazy TV spin-off, which has occasionally funny-ish remarks, but is otherwise full of whimsy, mawkish sentimentality, and a shallowness of quite stunning proportions. He makes clear from the preamble that he is "more anxious to convey the experience than to interpret it", without ever really explaining this stance. For a man of his intellect, that's just an abdication. Thank God that at the same time I was reading the masterly Howard Zinn's People's History. I know they didn't set out to do the same thing of course, but this book certainly suffers when set alongside anything of real depth. The section on how Texas "seceded" from Mexico is but one example - the sort of history you'd find on the back of a cereal packet, between the advice on Riboflavin and the picture of the happy white family ingesting the box's plastic contents. Shockingly shoddy stuff. And he must know it.

In fact the whole chapter on Texas, to take just one example, is indicative of his a) lack of understanding of, or b) cynical decision not to bother going into (take your pick) the issues in front of his face. The high-security set-up at the oilfields, the border controls, the wealth gap between Mexico and the US (which he manages to describe without mentioning NAFTA - an incredible omission for anyone who knows more than a hedgehog about US-Mexican relations) - all go unremarked or referred to fleetingly, tritely. Come on Stephen, you can do better than this.

Nevertheless, our Stephen trundles waggishly across the continent in his cutesy taxi, meeting the odd interesting character, conjuring up the odd impressive landscape, but generally just being fey. And in doing so he skates over the surface of minor episodes such as slavery, mass over-consumption, America's role in the world, five centuries of unbridled capitalism, the genocide of the native populations, and comes up with an intellectually bone-idle book as nourishing as a lunch of chewing gum. No, make that chewing gum wrappers.

Entertaining (1/1 people found this helpful)

It seems there is a common misunderstanding with books published inspired by programmes broadcast on the BBC. Most readers are also viewers of the programme broadcast on TV and they would like and expect to find the same content and feel the same emotions as when they watched and - possibly - enjoyed the programme, which is totally unfair.

If one enjoyed the TV programme, then buy the DVD. A book is a different product from a TV programme.

Fry is quite clear about his intentions with the book: 'I do hope... that it will communicate the scale of the nation, the diversity, depth of identity and wealth of pride that prevails in every one of its fifty distinct states.' (p. 4)

As a consequence of that objective, and necessarily limited by the 314 pages available to write and display photographs on, this book is certainly not an encyclopaedia, and a wise reader would be better taking this book as a travel diary in the early 21st-century rather than as anything else.

Every single state is given uneven attention, from a couple of pages (for Delaware) to several pages. For every single state, there is a map of the region of the state and main local cities, and a 'Key Facts' frame with essential information: the abbreviation of the state name, its nickname, capital, flower, tree, bird, motto, and well-known residents and natives.

The text is a pleasant read and there are some nice illustrations, although many pictures make one think: here was SF in the Prairie, here was SF in the city, here was SF tasting ice cream...

But then, it's a personal and partial take on an immense reality; it's the law of the genre.

Some might wish this is given a sequel...

Ambitious (0/0 people found this helpful)

I did not watch the TV series but gave the book a go nevertheless. Loved the introduction and couldn't wait to dive in. Obviously an ambitious attempts to write about all 50 states. Generally well-written, teasing most of the time because each state had just about enough to make you want to read more but alas, there is no more. Main criticism would be the short lengths afforded some states, which unfortunately renders you no more informed about the said state.

Nice touch with the odd facts about each state. Funny and engaging at times and definitely not as condescending as you would expect. A pleasant read overall.

Inspiring and beautifully written (0/0 people found this helpful)

Stephen Fry is simply awesome. His beautiful and eloquent use of the English language is as stunning as the landscapes within. Fry's trip around the US has inspired me to undertake my own trip of the US, visiting all of the lower 50 states on a motorbike. Its a great read to accompany the TV show or even on its own.

potboiler (0/1 people found this helpful)

A spin off from the TV series [which I didn't see] it is a cynical, moneyspinning mistake. Stephen Fry can do so much better if he puts his mind to it but he clearly devoted little time or effort to this. Not really worth reading.

Stephen Fry in America

Stephen Fry

Reader Reviews:

Unutterably silly (1/2 people found this helpful)

Entertaining (1/1 people found this helpful)

Ambitious (0/0 people found this helpful)

Inspiring and beautifully written (0/0 people found this helpful)

potboiler (0/1 people found this helpful)

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