High Tea and the Low Down: An American's Unfiltered Lif… (2024)

I was intrigued by this book which covers Claire’s experiences as an American living in the UK and I was interested to see what things she would pick as standing out the most to her and being worthy of comment. Having moved from England to Massachusetts twenty years ago, I found that most of the things she mentioned as being different and noteworthy to her life in the USA are the things I find myself missing, such as the chocolate, TV shows, British sports, even the NHS, with its ridiculously long wait times for appointments and common sayings that are met with blank faces when I say them here. I was also reminded of things I definitely don’t miss about England life, such as the weather and its associated Seasonal Affective Disorder, the bureaucracy and the unreliability of train and bus services.
Claire has a great sense of humour and her experiences are relayed with wit - she doesn’t shy away from telling stories in which she ends up being the butt of the joke. If you are a fan of England or curious about what it’s like for a foreigner to live there you will find this a useful and enjoyable read.

Actually enjoyed about the first half but then the last half was just 2 or 3 page chapters ending with not very clever punchlines. The humor just did not land for me. If the book ended about page 203 I would have rated it higher. The last chapters annoyed me that much.

Fun into to British culture

Evans has a fun, breezy way with words and remembrances. Marrying that British guy was great, jumping into the culture a tad less - just as it would be for all of us Americans. However, Evans lets us in on the often amusing personal moments of her intro into the UK.

The book started out interesting but then it turned into the same kind of snarky writing à la Bill Bryson whose writing I cannot stand. There were some funny moments that I, as an American expat, could relate to, but that was rare.

As an Anglophile, I'm always skeptical about books about "abroad" life in the UK. But, Evans puts my skepticism to rest in this charming series of essays on life across-the-pond as an American. I know Evans from my work as a library programmer and hired her do virtual programs for my library multiple times...all about various aspects of UK life. Her take on the differences between the Brits and the Yanks is funny, irreverent and sincere. I imagine all of these stories actually happened to her as opposed to invented fodder for this book. Thoroughly enjoyed this interesting and at times, wild, ride through Great Britain.

I love books about living abroad. Whether the book is by a British writer trying to get the plumbing fixed in Paris, an American navigating roads in China or Italy, I'm fascinated.

What I love about these books are the interactions with the people in the country and the observations of cultural differences-- the way Danes can leave kids in strollers outside a shop while Mom pops in, the way Italian workmen dress in spotless coveralls. In Rome, I once had a frustrating conversation with an Airbnb landlord about lack of hot water in a rented apartment. It was the third Airbnb we'd rented in Europe with hot water issues and I asked him why. He told me the system they use usually works and is far more modern and superior to the hot water heaters we use in the U.S. "yes, I said. "But in the U.S. I have hot water." (I didn't also mention the awful one cup coffee machines in U.S. rentals-- not the time I thought.")

Unfortunately this book includes almost no interactions with British people. The author seems determined to isolate herself from her English neighbors. She doesn't tell them shes American for fear of getting into political conversations.

There's almost no real local color and the author sounds at times, like a bad guidebook. Consider that her introduction of a chapter on a visit to York starts by telling the reader that York is the birthplace of Yorkshire pudding and leaves out almost everything else including history, literary references and people. Instead we're treated to a description of tourist activities.

The author seems to think her personal story of meeting her husband and falling in love is enough. We dont really get a picture of what it's like to fit into a new culture with new relatives. Instead we get constant complaints about the lack of ice in soft drinks. Really?

It's odd that this author decided to write about England. Shes learned very little about it. How sad.

If you're looking for a story with scenes that lead to climaxes, the dark moment, and a resolution, this isn't the book you want. This book, instead, shows various slices of life for an American who moves with her husband to the U.K. I am an American who has lived in New Zealand for 25 years. I wanted to compare NZ culture with British culture since British culture strongly colors NZ culture. It felt like about 50% of the differences between US and UK culture are similar to NZ culture. The other half are different. I felt Claire Evans was fair in showing the differences, not necessarily making British culture better or worse than US culture, just different.

My favorite line was: "I didn't like the idea of stifling enthusiasm for decorum's sake." New Zealanders (Kiwis) are friendly people, but not emotional. I maintain that American enthusiasm often comes across as aggressive in NZ. So I could identify with the author in that respect.

The book does give insight into British-American cultural differences in a fun way without putting either culture down.

This is a witty, snarky book about the cultural differences between the US and the UK. It’s a memoir of the (mis) adventures of the American attorney author, Claire Craig Evans, who tries to adjust to life in the UK after moving there with her British husband. The book is filled with funny misunderstandings about language, idioms, and customs. The chapters on her getting her UK driver’s license and going antiquing and mistaking a chamber pot for an oversized coffee mug were especially hilarious.

Relishing this wonderful memoir. And, enjoying so many great laugh-out-loud moments as I learn about the realities of not only living in England but especially being an American expat in England. Love the author’s writing style and sense of humor. Enjoying reading about the author’s online dating experiences (what a hoot); how she and her husband found one another; the relocation/moving process; and English culture, food, dialogue, attractions, and more. Highly recommended it for everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed Claire’s absorbing story of giving up a career as an American lawyer to follow her British engineer husband back to England. The book was never short of smiles, chuckles and loud gasps of laughter. Even in the midst of the difficulties of finding her place in a different culture and faraway land, Claire’s quick wit shines through. Uplifting, fun and encouraging. Will enjoy rereading this one in the years to come.

England

For me this was a fun read as I lived in England—3 different places for 12 yrs. Driving—yes the scariest thing until I told myself—passenger on the curb-it was fun reading about the different words she had to use with different meanings from the US and she did really well—is she going to live there forever?

Fun and easy breezy read - she makes good fun of herself and situations. She meets & marries a British guy from Cornwall who she meets online in the Chicago area when he was here working in the States --they move back home after awhile--- I would recommend for anyone who loves Great Britain !

Punishing. The author tries too hard to be amusing, funny, fails miserably.
Usually, in fact always I read a book to the end , even if I have to skim it, but with this book it was just a cry from the heart to let it end. This book is just plain silly beginning to end.

Like the stories. Well put together. Even a couple of laugh out loud moments (big coffee cup)

A lovely book to read while planning my trip to England.

A fun, light and descriptive read about living in the UK as an American.

There was an undertone of mockery that bothered me. YMMV.

This was a very funny tongue in cheek book. I liked it very much. Dangerous to read in public as eating alone and laughing aloud is looked on suspiciously. Those who travel to Europe would enjoy it a lot, and those who stay home will too.

I struggled until I arrived at the packing up the US residence to move to the UK part...not very far along thankfully... before post-menopausal and menopausal were used as further descriptors for the 'three hardy women' who were doing the packing work. Did not finish.

Fun read - she has a great writing style - very easy-breezy -- about her