England for all seasons

Toth (England As You Like It) offers homely chats about the things she and her husband like to do and see on their travels to England. An irrepressible Anglophile, she raves about English rain and puddings. In London, the couple likes to stay in a historic flat in Cloth Fair, an enclave in the financial district, which they rent from a British Landmark Trust. While it is far from the residential areas and shopping, the author's husband likes it particularly because he can drop in at the wholesale meat market nearby. Although there are only two flats available for short-term rentals, in one of her few lapses into practical details, Toth divulges the landlord's address and phone number without, however, hinting at the cost. English gardens are a special love of this husband and wife, and she conveys their pleasure in several both within and beyond London. They also like castles and museums and find many little known to tourists. They have favorite picnic spots along the Thames, places for walks along the Cornish coast and sites with literary associations. Travelers eager to find the "real" England, off the beaten track, who don't need the help of a guidebook that deals in more logistical detail, will find Toth's oozy style and quirky enthusiasms appealing. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Following the success of her two recent books, England as You Like It (LJ 2/15/95) and My Love Affair with England (LJ 8/92), Toth has taken a seasonal approach to the glories of the island. Since the author has traveled extensively in Britain, she has the basis to present a wealth of information to potential travelers through her personal reflections on gardens, museums, villages, and historical sites. Her infectious enthusiasm and detailed descriptions stimulate the reader's imagination to ponder such things as the exploration of the Thames, a visit to a Donkey Sanctuary, and the joys of a pub lunch. Toth's eclecticism of location and subject matter will appeal to assorted audiences from history and literature buffs to food connoisseurs and naturalists. Toth's work can be a valuable tool in planning one's itinerary. It has merit as a literary indulgence and a source of reference.‘Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Osgoode, Ontario (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.