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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
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.
alreadyemily's review
3.0
As with every Bryson, there are chuckles at his bumbling about, interested explanations over some of the cool history, and plenty of eyerolling over his complaining or rudeness. It's fine enough, I suppose.
Bryson comparisons:
If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and Little Dribbling, choose Notes From a Small Island.
If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and The Lost Continent, choose Notes From a Small Island. If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and A Walk in the Woods, choose a Walk in the Woods. When in doubt, just read A Short History of Private Life.
Bryson comparisons:
If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and Little Dribbling, choose Notes From a Small Island.
If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and The Lost Continent, choose Notes From a Small Island. If choosing between Notes From a Small Island and A Walk in the Woods, choose a Walk in the Woods. When in doubt, just read A Short History of Private Life.
katiescho741's review against another edition
4.0
Although this book is dated now, it's still a great read for any fan of Bryson's. He wrote it 26 years ago so I had to google a few of his references to various celebrities and politicians of the 80s! On the plus side, some of the towns he visits that were in a slump seem to have improved since 1992.
I love Bryson's writing style and general tone-dry, sarcastic but also honest and joyful. This book taught me more about my country than I ever learned in school! And it made me want to drink many cups of tea and say "ooh lovely" I always feel Bryson is one of the most honest travel writers; you know he's enjoying himself but sometimes things go wrong and they don't "add to the fun of travelling" they just make you feel miserable.
Sometimes your quaint, independent hotel is dirty and run by a horrible person, sometimes you have a meal that wasn't worth the price, sometimes you're really looking forward to something but it turns out to be shut or a let down. And then there's the actual travelling-bus and train timetables that don't work well together, cancelled trains that only run once a day, and most of the time the people you speak to while travelling are boring or weird and not lifelong friends in the making.
Despite all this, Notes from a Small Island is such a happy jaunt around the mainland UK, and really makes you want to get out there and explore your own country-and see what's new 26 years later!
I love Bryson's writing style and general tone-dry, sarcastic but also honest and joyful. This book taught me more about my country than I ever learned in school! And it made me want to drink many cups of tea and say "ooh lovely" I always feel Bryson is one of the most honest travel writers; you know he's enjoying himself but sometimes things go wrong and they don't "add to the fun of travelling" they just make you feel miserable.
Sometimes your quaint, independent hotel is dirty and run by a horrible person, sometimes you have a meal that wasn't worth the price, sometimes you're really looking forward to something but it turns out to be shut or a let down. And then there's the actual travelling-bus and train timetables that don't work well together, cancelled trains that only run once a day, and most of the time the people you speak to while travelling are boring or weird and not lifelong friends in the making.
Despite all this, Notes from a Small Island is such a happy jaunt around the mainland UK, and really makes you want to get out there and explore your own country-and see what's new 26 years later!
maskedturtle's review
4.0
I've been reading it on and off and am now halfway through it. I'm not sure I'll finish it but it's pretty light reading and hilarious too.
It's the typical Bill-Bryson-American-and-British-mixed humour and I must say that's what attracts me the most. I've never been to Britain before but I can already get a clear image of what each city is like. What I like the most from this book, and also most of Bill Bryson's other works, is that he includes many anecdotes about other writers or celebrities. I'm just impressed by the amount of small facts he knows about a place, e.g. where George Orwell once resides or the hotel where Agatha Christie once stayed.
Well I must say this book cannot be compared with A Walk In the Woods, which has an overarching theme about nature and some deep thoughts on our relationship with nature. However, it's still pretty funny to read.
It's the typical Bill-Bryson-American-and-British-mixed humour and I must say that's what attracts me the most. I've never been to Britain before but I can already get a clear image of what each city is like. What I like the most from this book, and also most of Bill Bryson's other works, is that he includes many anecdotes about other writers or celebrities. I'm just impressed by the amount of small facts he knows about a place, e.g. where George Orwell once resides or the hotel where Agatha Christie once stayed.
Well I must say this book cannot be compared with A Walk In the Woods, which has an overarching theme about nature and some deep thoughts on our relationship with nature. However, it's still pretty funny to read.
sophiaofbroadmoor's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content