Sentences you never thought you'd see in a book review 1

First of an occasional series, no doubt. From Jeremy Paxman's lukewarm review of Simon Jenkins' A Short History Of England:

And what are we to say of the National Trust? Of course, it's a force for good. But it is also like an unapproachable distant relative who somehow, without ever obviously intending any such thing, makes you feel gauche and inadequate. Can anyone see its oakleaf emblem without checking to see their flies are done up?

Can anyone? I don't know? Has the question ever been asked before?