Published in 1893, Friend Mac Donald is Max O'Rell's witty and insightful look at English life, written for his French countrymen. O'Rell (whose real name was Léon Paul Blouet) wasn't just a tourist; he lived in England, married an Englishwoman, and became a popular lecturer. This book collects his sharp-eyed observations on everything from British food and fashion to politics, education, and the famous 'stiff upper lip.'

The Story

There isn't a traditional plot here. Instead, the book is a guided tour of Englishness. O'Rell acts as your cultural translator, explaining why the English love their clubs, how they raise their children to be stoic, and what they really think about the French. He pokes fun at their love of understatement, their peculiar sporting obsessions, and their baffling culinary habits. But he does it all with a clear fondness. The 'Mac Donald' of the title represents every Englishman—a friend, but a friend whose habits are endlessly amusing and puzzling to a lively French mind.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book so engaging today is its timelessness. While some references are of their era, the core observations about national character feel surprisingly fresh. O'Rell's humor holds up—it's cheeky, not mean. You get the sense he's laughing with the English, even as he points out their oddities. It's also a fascinating mirror on French attitudes of the time. Reading it, you're getting a double portrait: a sketch of England drawn by a French artist. For anyone interested in history, culture, or just human nature, it's a delightful and quick read that proves some social commentary never goes out of style.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for history lovers who want something light and funny, or for anyone who enjoys travel writing and cultural comparisons. If you like Bill Bryson's observations on modern nations, you'll appreciate O'Rell's Victorian predecessor. It's also a great book for dipping in and out of—each short chapter is a self-contained nugget of wit. Just don't expect a novel; expect a charming, intelligent conversation with a very clever 19th-century dinner guest.