The English Understand Wool

Storybook ND Series

By: Helen DeWitt

Narrated by: Lucy Raynor

A modern amorality play about a 17-year-old girl, the wilder shores of connoisseurship, and the power of false friendsMaman was exigeante—there is no English word–and I had the benefit of her training. Others may not be so fortunate. If some other young girl, with two million dollars at stake, finds this of use I shall count myself justified.

Raised in Marrakech by a French mother and English father, a 17-year-old girl has learned above all to avoid mauvais ton ("bad taste" loses something in the translation). One should not ask servants to wait on one during Ramadan: they must have paid leave while one spends the holy month abroad. One must play the piano; if staying at Claridge’s, one must regrettably install a Clavinova in the suite so that the necessary hours of practice will not be inflicted on fellow guests. One should cultivate weavers of tweed in the Outer Hebrides but have the cloth made up in London; one should buy linen in Ireland but have it made up by a Thai seamstress in Paris (whose genius has been supported by purchase of suitable premises). All this and much more she has learned, governed by a parent of ferociously lofty standards. But at 17, during the annual Ramadan travels, she finds all assumptions overturned. Will she be able to fend for herself? Will the dictates of good taste suffice when she must deal, singlehanded, with the sharks of New York?

©2022 Helen DeWitt (P)2024 New Directions Publishing Corp.

Original, funny and biting

Classically constructed, like the best Agatha Christie novellas of 100 years ago.
I’m curious to know whether the author shares the (often unreliable) narrators worship of taste and refinement as an ethical code. I haven’t read The Last Samurai, which many people love. The authors note at the end is odd and intriguing.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

The most surprising and delightful book I have had the pleasure of reading in a while. Thanks to Ann Patchett for the recommendation.

Thought Provoking

This is a gem of a book. I was surprised by character's astuteness and also by their understanding of the value of their education. I will be thinking about this for a long time. I had not yet encountered Helen Dewitt. This novella has introduced me to her as an author. I intend to read more.

short story

excellent story. unexpected but likable characters. Interesting concept. I definitely wanted to hear more about the lead.

Poor Narrator

I hate the narrator. Although she has a lovely voice and accent, her phrasing and lilt is exactly the same for each sentence. It makes me crazy. It is so annoying. Speeding up does not help. Her speaking pattern distracts so much from the story. Lucy Raynor, please listen to yourself!!