Sunday book pick: The pleasures of abiding by your convictions in ‘The English Understand Wool’

American novelist Helen DeWitt’s 2022 novel, The English Understand Wool starts and ends with the same line – “The English understand wool.” In between these lines is an extraordinary, delightful satire about growing up with wealth and taste and the perils of the publishing industry.

In this 70-page novella, DeWitt grants a voice to her 17-year-old protagonist who narrates in a matter-of-fact way how she was brought up, the lessons her mother imparted to her, and everything that’s c’est curiex – curious – about the world. Her mother – maman as she calls her – has strong opinions about how one must conduct oneself and the roles that each of us plays. For instance, she speaks French with “a pure Parisian accent”, “standard Arabic” on formal occasions, and “Daridja, the Moroccan form of Arabic” with the servants. She considers it “mauvais ton” – poor taste – to “inflict one’s music on persons who have expressed no desire to hear it.” It is important to know one’s place at all times.

Maman and Marguerite

Similarly, one must be aware of one’s strengths too – for instance, the Irish understand linen while the Scots understand wool. She had found a Thai seamstress whom she relocated to Paris so she could sew a...

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