Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'
Why the Dutch are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands by Ben Coates
2 reviews
zluke's review
funny
informative
slow-paced
2.5
I was interested to learn about the Netherlands as I'm learning Dutch and visiting next month. The book contains some interesting history and insight into modern Dutch attitudes.
However it was rather let down by several factors. One of the most disconcerting was the constant misogyny of the author when describing his encounters with women throughout the book. The first few chapters were the most interesting to me, but also had the most misogynistic comments. Another issue I had was that the author is anti-immigration and details his racist attitudes toward Moroccan immigrants in particular. There's quite a bit of racist apologism in the book and it didn't feel balanced.
There were also a fair few inaccuracies I noticed in the second world war chapter which left me wondering what other mistakes there were. A lot of the anecdotes and stories appear to have been sensationalised and embellished to make a light fun book without caring much for accuracy.
However it was rather let down by several factors. One of the most disconcerting was the constant misogyny of the author when describing his encounters with women throughout the book. The first few chapters were the most interesting to me, but also had the most misogynistic comments. Another issue I had was that the author is anti-immigration and details his racist attitudes toward Moroccan immigrants in particular. There's quite a bit of racist apologism in the book and it didn't feel balanced.
There were also a fair few inaccuracies I noticed in the second world war chapter which left me wondering what other mistakes there were. A lot of the anecdotes and stories appear to have been sensationalised and embellished to make a light fun book without caring much for accuracy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Antisemitism
heatherinthenether's review
medium-paced
1.5
There is some really interesting history included in this book, which is why I persevered, but I wouldn't blame someone for missing it. The little nuggets of worthwhile information are nearly drowned out by a constant reminder that the author hates the Dutch weather, finds the landscape hideous, and thinks the food is terrible. He also hates the trains and finds little value in the political system, and misses no chance to point out his disappointment in Dutch music and fashion. He also, every few chapters, creates a narrative of a random Dutchie striking up an unsolicited conversation that always seems to handily further the moment in the story. It is a strikingly non-Dutch behavior that leaves the rest of the narrative up to question. More disturbingly, there is an underlying current of the creepy brand of misogyny, as the writer seems incapable of observing women around him without being unable to stare, or describing them as scantily clad, busty, and sadly not topless (and that was about the nuns!). I'm sure he thinks he's a laugh riot, but it just comes off like a creepy old man. Much later in the book, he also ours himself as an absolute racist, so that's fun. If you're looking for a really good understanding of Dutch history and culture, look elsewhere. The combined few pages of actual worthwhile content aren't worth the slog through the muck.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Sexism
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