facoffee1984's review against another edition
5.0
The story about that Philadelphia politician is appalling.
snowbenton's review against another edition
4.0
Bryson takes his discerning eye and a few suitcases of sarcasm on a trip around the US to relive his childhood and rediscover his homeland (he grew up in Iowa but moved to Great Britain as an adult). He shows the best and worst parts of America, and seems to take equal pleasure in describing both the miseries of his journey and the joys of it. His books make me wish I could sit in the car with him as he travels.
sarahrara's review
2.0
Actually I didn't finish... I gave up about half way. It just.. wasn't funny. It was in fact kind of dull. And repetitive. And whiny. And dull. And repetitive... I seem to remember really enjoying Notes from a Small Island some 15 years ago. I remember him lovingly making fun of those whacky Brits, and recognising a lot of what he said, having lived in the UK myself. In this case I do not think it's solely the fact that I've never set foot in the US that makes the book boring though - if he'd given me some interesting descriptions, characters and funny anecdotes I would have been happy. That was all I was looking for.
kairosdreaming's review
2.0
Eh, I just had a lot of trouble getting into this one. Which is disappointing. I've read a few of Bryson's other works and enjoyed his sarcasm and take on things. But this one, it was really hit or miss on the humor, and in some cases just mean-spirited, which isn't my jam.
Traveling across America, starting in his hometown, Bryson explores the small towns in the East and the West, partaking of the scenery, people, and attractions in the area. Or well, sorta he does, he doesn't actually go look at things too often and just drives through most of it. There were some things he enjoyed, but far and few between.
I will say I had to look at the publish date on this book, because yeah, this book written today I don't think would do so well. It's definitely a product of its time and allowable nuances of the genre.
I would skip this one, check out a Walk in the Woods instead.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
Traveling across America, starting in his hometown, Bryson explores the small towns in the East and the West, partaking of the scenery, people, and attractions in the area. Or well, sorta he does, he doesn't actually go look at things too often and just drives through most of it. There were some things he enjoyed, but far and few between.
I will say I had to look at the publish date on this book, because yeah, this book written today I don't think would do so well. It's definitely a product of its time and allowable nuances of the genre.
I would skip this one, check out a Walk in the Woods instead.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
directional_verb's review against another edition
4.0
Being from the Midwest and having moved away, I can relate to much of Bill Bryson’s experiences in this book. Bryson’s humor is refreshing and honest. He brought me along with him on his road trip and I wish it hadn’t ended.
siobhanward's review
funny
medium-paced
2.5
I think the problems with Bryson's older works is that they're starting to get very dated - the language used, the way things are described (lots of creative ways to call people fat). I know that Bryson is still putting out works regularly, and clearly he's changed with the times, but his older works just feel old...
This was a decent read - not my favourite of his but it still had some good parts. I particularly liked his mention of Donald Trump as a real-estate mogul slowly taking over the New York skyline. Oh, 1989 Bill Bryson, if only you knew what was to come!
This was a decent read - not my favourite of his but it still had some good parts. I particularly liked his mention of Donald Trump as a real-estate mogul slowly taking over the New York skyline. Oh, 1989 Bill Bryson, if only you knew what was to come!
rkahn62's review against another edition
1.0
There’s satire and then there’s downright degradation of rural towns in America. This book is just that. A slap across the face to every person and place this man came across.
I did enjoy reading some about the landscapes through the US. I say some, as the rest of the book was marred by the author’s constant kvetching.
I did enjoy reading some about the landscapes through the US. I say some, as the rest of the book was marred by the author’s constant kvetching.