Unruly

by David Mitchell

Bestseller Unruly tees itself up as horrible histories for grownups, and it is an apt description. Actor and comedian David Mitchell runs through the English monarchy since King Arthur to Queen Elizabeth. The aim here is to learn the odd bit of history but mainly to have fun, so lets find out how good a job it does of that.

First and foremost, this book is more in the entertainment category than history book. It is very much not rigorously backing up what it says with evidence, nor afraid to go off on a tangent in pursuit of the punchline. And, so long as you know it going in, it is very funny and therefore effective. If you happen to not find Mitchell’s style funny, it’s likely one to steer clear from, since besides historical anecdotes about the monarchy, there isn’t really much else here.

The style is casual, as this excerpt illustrates. I open quote:

Medieval kings really liked being in charge of things. Not just lots of things, but everything. All the things in their kingdom. The poor kings of France were miserable for hundreds of years, because there were times, like the one we’re talking about now, when there were hardly any bits of their kingdom they were in charge of.

English kings were different. English kings really do aspire to run the place in a control-freaky kind of way. It sounds obvious, but I actually find it strange.  Personally, I don’t want to be in charge of much

It’s an admin hassle and it makes things your fault. I’d much rather cart from the sidelines.

Political leaders today in Britain at least are increasingly of my way of thinking. Many politicians seem to want to hold high office, but for most of the things that actually happen, which inevitably go a bit wrong and piss people off, to be someone else’s responsibility.

(Chapter 18: King Henry II, from the audiobook)

Mitchell reports that Beckett travelled in ridiculous splendour, even going so far as to have monkeys riding horses in his baggage train. Thomas beckett “if I don’t have monkeys riding horses, the king of france wont take me seriously”.

Quoting lacks the effects of timing, intonation and build up, but quite simply the success of this book relies on whether you actually find it funny.

That History & Webb look

Fortunately, it is funny. I was genuinely laughing out loud at some points, and could see myself re-reading the A Pair of Cnuts chapter. The main joke centres around, well, respelling Cnut into a different word, but it’s a lot funnier when you read it. This is a good time to note the offence I saw some commentators take about the language. There’s a lot of naughty words in this book, so if you don’t like that, it’s one to avoid. Personally, I think it was almost always in the context of comedic effect, and therefore made a lot of sense, although I definitely sit on the side of not really caring how coarse the language is in a book (especially for comedy).

The comedy often falls down on how absurd, dirty, challenging historical times were, and often the parallels with the modern day. The absurdity of how kings and queens ruled, their riches, the squabbling bourgeoisie underneath hem willing to shift sides in an instant. Mitchell is often sarcastic, drawing parallels with his own, rather cushy modern life, to the death, grit and grime of historical times. It never comes across smarmy either, striking just the right balance between critique, mockery and gentle self-deprecation.

It’s worth getting the audiobook if you enjoy them, since it is voiced by Mitchell himself in an excellent performance. Not only is his voice distinctive, but he delivers lines enthusiastically, the sarcastic, sardonic wit dripping from every line. It’s great.

The structure of the book is about as simple as it comes, simply taking us from King Alfred chronologically to Queen Elizabeth. Nothing wrong with a simple and clear structure. With so many monarchs, about 30 minutes was dedicated in the audiobook to each of them.

At one point a diversion into Oxford prison seemed an odd inclusion, since I’m not sure whether the point was to make a joke, or simply it was included because Mitchell had visited it. I do wonder if a little more effort could have been put into research and that aspect, because it is heavily weighted on the comedic side.

Fortunately, this was an exception. Typically the anecdotes are more focussed and related to the monarch in question.

Final score

This book delivers what it promises, an entertaining read that Mitchell delivers impeccably. I highly recommend the audiobook version, as it felt made for this. Ultimately, a book like this receives a score, in the main, on how funny and entertaining it was. This is its purpose. And this one hits the mark, whilst perhaps illuminating you on the odd story or monarch.

It won’t be for everyone, but for those it clicks with, the niche of those interested in history with a light-hearted approach, it nails it.

9/10