A topical and engrossing look at the changing face of Europe
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Review
A hugely ambitious project, a mix of anthropology, history, politics and travelogue, but Drysdale brings it off brilliantly. -- Sunday Times
It is a great subject, and she does it more than justice in this unpretentious, well-written, sad and funny book. -- Literary Review
Mother Tongues is humane and scholarly, and wonderfully interwoven with the stress of child-care at very close quarters. -- Independent on Sunday
My book of the year...Drysdale’s writing is simultaneously engrossing, descriptive and diverting. She is the best of travelling companions. -- The Times
Rich in anecdote and linguistic analysis, in expert reportage and insight...Drysdale’s powers of description are as fresh as ever. -- Evening Standard
It is a great subject, and she does it more than justice in this unpretentious, well-written, sad and funny book. -- Literary Review
Mother Tongues is humane and scholarly, and wonderfully interwoven with the stress of child-care at very close quarters. -- Independent on Sunday
My book of the year...Drysdale’s writing is simultaneously engrossing, descriptive and diverting. She is the best of travelling companions. -- The Times
Rich in anecdote and linguistic analysis, in expert reportage and insight...Drysdale’s powers of description are as fresh as ever. -- Evening Standard
Book Description
Over eighteen months Helena Drysdale and her family rattled over the roads and motorways of Europe in their mobile home. Their journey took them to the heart of tribal Europe: to the Frisian Islands, Samiland, the Basque country; to Macedonia, Corsica and Provence. Curious and sympathetic, Drysdale sought out Europe’s indigenous tribes and took stock of their place in our modern world, analysing the vital link between language and identity and capturing beautifully many of the voices and cultures that are already fading away. ‘This is a hugely ambitious project, a mix of anthropology, history, politics and travelogue, but Drysdale brings it off brilliantly . . . If you still have doubts about the relevance of travel writing in the twenty-first century, this book will satisfy them’ Sunday Times ‘Every page of her new book carries the imprint of her originality of thought and expression’ New Statesman ‘A rather magnificent family journey’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Rich . . . expert . . . beautiful’ Evening Standard ‘Humane and scholarly . . . wonderful’ Independent ‘My book of the year’ The Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The idea of the book tempted me to buy it, though I wish I'd been warned off by the reviewer who commented that it would have been improved by less information about the author's kids. It is less a book about the minority languages of Europe and more a family diary of an overlong holiday. I was torn between feeling sorry for Tallulah (being dragged away from her friends to live in a converted lorry) and wishing the child would behave well enough so that there could be more information on the topic the book is supposed to be about.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The author travels with her husband and 2 young children through Europe in search of "tribal Europe" - Europe's (mostly)stateless "tribes" such as the Catalans, Bretons, Macedonians & others, including some you probably haven't heard of. She investigates their history , politics, language and lifestyles and paints a lively picture of Europe's nooks & crannies. Though rather low on humour, and containing rather more trivia about her children than I wanted to know, it's a compelling and illuminating read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I bought this book for its fascinating subject matter but as I read I found myself increasingly distracted and irritated by the presence of two badly-behaved children and by their parents' indulgent attitude to their behaviour. The author has completely disregarded the principle that one's children are profoundly fascinating only to their own parents, and I really could have done without details of Tallulah's toilet visits and nose-picking.
That said, I gained good insights into the psyche of stateless ethnic minorities in Europe, but unfortunately for me this was overshadowed by the endless minutiae of family life in a camper van.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating insight into european history and society
I really liked this book, the style of writing and for the most part the subject matter. I learnt so much about the structure and history of european states which has helped me... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jesa
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book if you are curious about languages - and travel!
Yes I can agree with some of the other reviewers in that at times there is maybe a little too much about the children but at the same time this unusual mix of travelogue,... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2008 by Mark Baynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
read this great book
I love this book. It weaves together two strands, about the endangered minorities of Europe, and about travelling quite rough with a young family over a period of 18 months. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by Natalie Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Travels Among European Minorities
This book is a mixture of a travelogue, investigative journalism and history combined, written by a sympathetic amateur. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2005 by Laszlo Wagner
5.0 out of 5 stars
compelling and essential for Europeans
Anyone wanting a deeper understanding of Europe - for whatever reasonns (travel, anthropological, language...) - NEEDS to read this book. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2002 by richard@arthurone.freeserve.co.uk
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book That Mirrors And Reveals The Realities of Europe
As a Gaelic speaker from the Outer Hebrides, reading Helena Drysdale's 'Mother Tongues' was like stepping into an amazing Hall of Mirrors - in which my own experience was reflected... Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2002 by donsheild@aol.com
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