How to be an Alien

How to be an Alien is a 1946 comedic guide to British culture and manners, written by Hungarian immigrant George Mikes and illustrated by Nicolas Bentley. The book became a bestseller in post-war Britain, selling over 300,000 copies by 1966. The text is structured in two sections: "How to be a General Alien" covers broad cultural topics like weather, tea, and queuing, while "How to be a Particular Alien" examines specific British occupations and social roles. The writing style is concise and witty, with some chapters consisting of just a single memorable line. The success of this book led to two follow-up volumes - How to be Inimitable (1960) and How to be Decadent (1977) - and spawned a 1964 television adaptation featuring prominent British comedic talents. The book serves as both a satire of British social customs and a testament to the immigrant experience, using humor to explore themes of cultural identity and assimilation in post-war England.

Readers describe this as a humorous, lighthearted look at British culture through a Hungarian immigrant's eyes. Many note it remains relevant despite being written in 1946. Readers appreciate: - The short, punchy observations - The self-deprecating Hungarian perspective - Accurate insights into British social customs - The simple, clear writing style Common criticisms: - Some jokes feel dated - Cultural references can be obscure for non-British readers - The humor occasionally relies on stereotypes Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) Sample review: "As a Brit, I found myself laughing and cringing at how accurate his observations are. The section on tea-drinking is spot on." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "The observations about weather small talk and queuing culture are as true today as they were 70 years ago." - Amazon UK reviewer

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🔸 The book was an unexpected success, selling over 500,000 copies within five years of publication, despite initial skepticism from publishers who feared it might offend British readers. 🔸 George Mikes arrived in London in 1938 to cover the Munich Crisis for a Hungarian newspaper, intending to stay for two weeks, but remained in Britain for the rest of his life. 🔸 The famous opening line "In England everything is the other way round" became a cultural touchstone and is still frequently quoted when discussing British peculiarities. 🔸 The book sparked a series of sequels including "How to be Inimitable" and "How to be Decadent," establishing Mikes as a leading commentator on British life. 🔸 During World War II, Mikes worked for the BBC's Hungarian Service, an experience that helped shape his unique understanding of both British and European perspectives.