DEBORAH REED-DANAHAY, 2025, Sideways Migration: Being French in London, New York: Routledge, 178 pp. ISBN 978-1-032-73283-1 (hbk), ISBN 978-1- 032-73434-7 (pbk), ISBN 978-1-003-46416-7 (ebk).

KEYWORDS: Sideways migration, the French, London, Brexit, Emplacements and Dislocations

Migration studies is a major well-established area of research with a focus on dangerous escape and precarious conditions in the new country. Yet there are large movements of middle-class lifestyle migrants who relocate to a geographically nearby country similar socially, politically and economically to their country of origin. The French in London are a case in point. In this brilliant book, Deborah Reed-Danahay explores: “The ways in which French citizens experience living in London, as well as the way in which the French are in turn perceived and positioned in London” (p. 19). In order to capture this process, Reed-Danahay introduces the apt concept “sideways migration.” It draws on Ulf Hannerz’ (2006) notion of “studying sideways” which he applied for his study of foreign correspondents. The concept refers to fieldwork where the anthropologist shares status and outlook with interlocutors, this has become quite common.   

Reed-Danahay is a leading Bourdieu expert. In Sideways Migration she develops Bourdieu’s ideas by “placing understandings of capital and habitus in the wider contexts of social space” (p.37) and, importantly, shows how French social space reaches beyond the borders of France – to “Paris-on-Thames” – both when it comes to affiliations and practices of French citizens in London and to how institutions, the “French emigration apparatus,” operates. Another explanation to the thoroughness of this well-crafted book is Reed-Danahay’s extensive ethnographic experience of rural migration in France and thus of France. It is a rare advantage when migration scholars are as familiar with the country of origin of the migrants as she is. Reed-Danahay has robust knowledge of French society, culture and politics. It goes without saying that she is a fluent speaker of French. For this study, she has collected personal narratives of relocation to London from France. They illuminate larger structures such as the free movement of EU citizens that was disbanded with Brexit and suddenly turned these rather privileged middle class movers into ordinary migrants that had to submit a cumbersome application to be able to stay in the United Kingdom. This was experienced as humiliating, especially by the aspirational middle classes that perceived “migrants” as poor people they had nothing in common with.        

There is no doubt that Reed-Danahay’s appreciation of French culture was key for the success of her research. It unfolded between 2014 and 2024 and included ethnographic fieldwork with participant observation at institutions related to the French population, and social events, during ten visits of altogether 12 months. Since there are few neighborhoods in London where French people typically reside or work or go for entertainment, this is a fieldwork that took place over many sites across the city. Such “several fields in one” (Hannerz 2006; Wulff 2026) is one aspect of urban ethnography. In addition to informal conversations, Reed-Danahay conducted about 60 interviews with French residents. She also included institutional, governmental and business materials for her designation “the emigration apparatus,” as well as some information from