Janice Turner puts the boot into @glinner

[chilling19]

Janice Turner's 'review' of Graham Linehan's book. Why would she do this?
archive.ph/72B9W

From your perspective it’s a generalisation, from my perspective (and the perspective of other Irish people, cos we talk to each other about it) it’s a consistent experience.

In my own experience, it’s happened when I’ve been in England (or dealing with English people for social or work situations). It’s happened more with people from Southern England, not as often with Northern English people. It’s happened most with middle-class people. It also tends to happen more with older English people who remember The Troubles. It also happens with English people who are visiting Ireland on holiday. Often, there are also comments along the lines of ‘Oh, you Irish are so [insert stereotype]’ that seem to be made with no understanding that the recipient would be upset or find it inconsiderate.

To be fair, I’ve experienced this a lot when interacting with Americans too 🤷‍♀️

Often, Glinner’s manner is just very Irish and I’ve found it interesting to see that some English people dislike it and see it as rude, whereas the behaviour is acceptable for Irish social norms. Ireland and England have different communication styles and, based on my experience, it would seem that this is a factor when it comes to opinions on Glinner. I’m not saying it covers (or excuses) all his interactions, it’s just something to bear in mind.

I still don't think you can make such sweeeping generalisations about whole groups of people ( Northern English, Southern English, Older English, Middle Class English...) - neither Irish, nor English. Although I appreciate people form their identities around the 'othering' of people perceived to be not like them.

I live in Liverpool, and there is the whole mythology here too of what 'Scousers' are supposed to be like. It is actually quite oppressive, and tends to solidify stereotypes - with people becoming professional Scousers. And then they complain when people make comments and negative/unflattering generalised judgements about "people from Liverpool".

English is what the Anglo Normans called themselves @RebelliousCow . They weren't particularly bothered about their Norse dna or the fact their elite groups spoke French. Neither do we and we don't care who is or isn't a Celt. Beyond the interest some of us take in our language.

I've long since stopped worrying about other people's perceptions anyway. That's one thing I've learnt from this ID politics garbage : a preference isn't necessarily a prejudice.

I finished the book last night and re-read the “review” this morning. It’s not a book review.
I did notice Ms Turner isn’t namechecked in the Acknowledgments alongside other prominent GC female journalists.

That’s an interesting piece of information borntobequiet, I don’t know if it’s significant with regards to the tone of Turner’s article about Glinner (given that she managed to overlook him thanking WPUK, so she doesn’t seem to have been reading the book very closely), but it’s definitely interesting to know 🤔

I have felt a bit uncomfortable at some of Glinner’s “excesses” but at the end of the day I find it hard to criticise someone for being so upset, angry and emotional about the impact of trans rights on women.

It’s weird that both she and Hadley Freeman have written about this without reading the actual book? It seems a bit of an odd thing to do.

Going against the grain, I thought it was a good review and the way it was written was generally in line with most Times book reviews, especially as it was an autobiography making Linehan himself the subject. Sometimes authors are praised, sometimes they are panned and Linehan (fairly imo) came in for a panning this time like many before him.

I also don't see any reason to believe Janice Turner didn't read the book because a brief mention in the acknowledgements but no mention in the main text does mean the person or group is left out - again probably fairly imo because it's Linehan's autobiography, but it's still true.

Because it is what she thinks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It's not allowing people to say what they believe that is the problem.