Before New York Times bestselling author Bill Bryson wrote The Road to Little Dribbling, he took this delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation of Great Britain, which has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie’s Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey.
Notes from a Small Island
By billbryson
Bill Bryson is one of my favorite authors. He is responsible for my taking a trip to Australia. I have read most if not all of his books and would buy this one for a gift or recommend it to anyone who needs a laugh.
Very, very funny!
This book was really enjoyable during the first 50%. The author has a gift of wit, describing the mannerisms and history of the places he visited and the folks he encountered during his stroll/public transportation jaunt around Great Britain. As a long-term visitor to Britain (decades) but an American, his perspective was charming as he expressed opinions about the citizens of both great lands. I often smiled and sometimes laughed a bit out loud.
But about half-way through, the book lost steam for me. It became more of a trip-diary, noting places and names and durations of jaunts, but somehow it lost its originality and wit. So I did not finish it. But I appreciated what I had read, thus the partial-star recommendation.
An anglophile’s delight!
Witty and fun book.
Bill Bryson is always a winner
Read it years ago in paperback. Loved it!
Great information presented in an enjoyable way.
Good read with lots of info about Great Britain.
I loved this book. Bryson never fails to deliver information in a wonderful way.
Whether you are a Bill Bryson fan or not, this book is a delight!
Traveling with Bill Bryson is hysterical and so informative.
Bryson is laugh out loud hilarious while also providing quirky, informative perspective on comparitive cultural norms and the challenges of living as an expat.
It was great to read witty observations about the country I live in. Bryson understands us Brits and our funny ways.
A really good giggle all the way through, especially if you have been to the places and can picture what he is taking about.
Interesting and the author has a great writing style, but after a while the cities/towns start to seem all the same.
Short travel articles written while Bryson lived in England. Delightfully witty and often thought provoking as well.
Disappointed. Read “The Mother Tongue” and found it delightful (and gave it as a gift several times). This one is just one long harangue about an American in England — who needs it? He must have needed the money… A bad buy and a bad read.
Notes From a Small Island makes me laugh. As an American who used to live in England and who has a large, lovely family there, Bill Bryson really nailed the differences between the English and American cultures. My daughter and I listened to this once as a book on tape and laughed through the entire long car ride. It’s an entertaining read.
I really enjoy reading Bill Bryson’s books, he is very funny and kind of makes me want to visit England some day.