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sams84's review against another edition
4.0
This actually did have me laughing and giggling out loud. Bryson is descriptive and witty and he travels around Britain and it was thoroughly enjoyable and somewhat enlightening to get an 'outsiders' view of the country I call home. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't foray further into Wales (but I an slightly biased on that point) and that he completely missed out Northern Ireland but on the whole a very well written, witty, enjoyable and yet informative book. It really made me want to get out and about with a pair of hiking boots and an OS map and see what hidden treasures I can find.
zbmorgan's review against another edition
5.0
While things may have changed in the 14 years since Bryson wrote this, there is enough about the UK that remains constant to get the general jist of what he's talking about. This book is woven with a fondness for England, a frustration with humanity, and a keen power of observation. Fascinating, and so laugh out loud funny I wouldn't read it in public.
hazmatscott's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
whooperswan's review against another edition
4.0
Wish he covered The Peak District and a bit more of the Midlands. Really enjoyed it although at times wondered whether he really is a bit mean.
kirahaynes's review against another edition
Dnf at 38%
I read this because of a scratch off poster and while I enjoyed parts I think the cultural references of 25+ years ago didn’t age the best and I struggled to work out when he was over exaggerating something ( i think that’s an autism thing though) I’d consider reading the sequel because it’s more modern and i might enjoy it more
I read this because of a scratch off poster and while I enjoyed parts I think the cultural references of 25+ years ago didn’t age the best and I struggled to work out when he was over exaggerating something ( i think that’s an autism thing though) I’d consider reading the sequel because it’s more modern and i might enjoy it more
angie_dutton's review against another edition
1.0
Was recommended this years ago and read it in my teens and I really, really hated it. It was basically Bill Bryson making endless coy observations on how weird the British are; you're general "oh, they are so polite." and "the size of their junk mail, it just pours through the letterbox."
samsundaram's review against another edition
2.0
It's worth reading the first couple chapters of the book as well as the last one.
The rest of the book can be easily summarized: Bill Bryson goes to a town in England, doesn't like it because it's rainy, disapproves of the architecture, and chooses to eat Chinese food which he doesn't really like. This happens in every town he visits.
Most of the humor in this book comes from Bill Bryson insulting people, which is problematic because he chooses to insult people with disabilities, the elderly, etc., instead of poking fun of himself for being such a curmudgeon for the entire trip.
The rest of the book can be easily summarized: Bill Bryson goes to a town in England, doesn't like it because it's rainy, disapproves of the architecture, and chooses to eat Chinese food which he doesn't really like. This happens in every town he visits.
Most of the humor in this book comes from Bill Bryson insulting people, which is problematic because he chooses to insult people with disabilities, the elderly, etc., instead of poking fun of himself for being such a curmudgeon for the entire trip.