Review by Matthew Tett of "The England No One Cares About: Lyrics from Suburbia" by George Musgrave

George Musgrave’s The England No One Cares About: Lyrics from Suburbia is a fresh, original exploration of England’s suburbs: what they are, where they are located and why they are ‘forgotten.’ Throughout the book, which is academic in many ways but poetic in others, Musgrave writes autoethnographically about the important role that storytelling has in all of our lives.

Towards the beginning, there is a focus on Musgrave with others, including where he has lived: one example is ‘George & Victoria’ (Victoria is his mother) and then ‘Tuxford and Louth’ – places he has resided. There are even links to playlists connected to different life experiences. Readers are able to listen to these through the links provided.

The third chapter – ‘What Stories Do, Why Stories Matter’ – is of particular interest to me. Earlier parts of the book concentrate on Musgrave’s own story; but here, in this section, the focus is broader. There is a specific emphasis on rap music and songwriting as forms of storytelling. In the fifth chapter, ‘Small Town Lad Sentiments,’ Musgrave includes a collection of songs written over a four-year period  - all contain lyrics linked to the specific themes of the book. I really like the way that these song lyrics are included amongst more academic sections, although I can’t deny that these would be best if listened to, preferably being read by Musgrave himself.

Closer to the end, Musgrave explains that the book is ‘a deep and extended vignette on one person’s subjective experience of peripherality.’ This is explained further, thankfully, with Musgrave saying how it is linked to ‘a physical removal from centres of power and/or decision-making.’ Essentially, then, he is referring to many rural, or semi-rural, areas of the country. 

The book concludes with thanks, albeit subtly, to ‘George & Camille’ – his children. Musgrave states how his son is the fourth generation in a row to have the same name as him. 

The England No One Cares About: Lyrics from Suburbia is a thought-provoking, varied read, a book that offers plenty to all readers. 

About the reviewer

Matthew Tett is a freelance teacher and writer living in Wiltshire, UK. He is the creative producer for StoryTown and a developmental editor for the Flash Fiction contest. In his spare time, he enjoys running and hiking in the countryside.