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Notes From A Small Island

Notes From A Small Island

by Bill Bryson

3.49 out of 5 (67 ratings)

Format:
Paperback 
Pages:
259 
Publisher:
Transworld Publishers Ltd 
Publication Date:
01 August 1996 
Category:
Books 
ISBN:
9780552996006 

Description

After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move back to the States for a few years, to let his kids experience life in another country, to give his wife the chance to shop until 10 p.m. seven nights a week, and, most of all, because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, and it was thus clear to him that his people needed him. But before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of the nation's public face and private parts (as it were), and to analyse what precisely it was he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite, a military hero whose dying wish was to be kissed by a fellow named Hardy, place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells, people who said 'Mustn't grumble', and Gardeners' Question Time.

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Showing 1-4 out of 72 reviews. Previous | Next

  • Makes me want to travel Britain by public transport too. Powerful stuff :)

    5.00 out of 5

    Firehead

  • absolutely brilliant

    5.00 out of 5

    flydodofly

  • This is possibly my all time favourite book. I'm not saying that it is groundbreaking or anything like that, just a very fun read.I find Bill Bryson's style of writing very refreshing, and whilst there may not be many laugh out loud moments, I find an almost constant smile on my face whilst reading his work (or listening to the audiobooks in the car). It has been mentioned in an earlier review that Brysons cynicism can seem a bit forced, which I don't see at all. To me it comes across as good observational humour and I agree with most of it and wouldn't consider myself to be overly cynical.In this book, Bryson takes a journey round Britain, visiting various places both well known and obscure. Obviously the fact that I know a lot of the places is relevant and is probably one of the reasons this is my favourite Bryson travel book.Overall an extremely good read which I would recommend to everyone.

    5.00 out of 5

    KeithJenner

  • another of Bill Bryson's really clever attempt at describing the British people. He has obviously studied us Brits and describes our quirkiness in a gently and humorous way. Another of his books which had me crying with laughter. The only downside was the very quick Journey to John o'Groats. I felt that his trip to Scotland merited a book on its own.

    5.00 out of 5

    magentaflake

Reviews provided by Librarything.

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