keagsbosch's review against another edition
4.0
Laughed out loud often, loving Byron's writing. I am a little bit disappointed that he did not visit London though.
busybeezle's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I enjoyed this book at the beginning. Bryson seemed to have a genuine affection for (some of) Britain (the bucolic bits, the historical bits) and for (some of) its people (the ones who barely interacted with him and on whom he could project his own ideas of what British people are like and what he liked about them). I was charmed by the early chapters, although since they took place in a part of England (Dorset) I visited as a child, I'm pretty sure personal nostalgia played a big role in my liking that part of the book. But as others have said, this gets repetitive fast, and Bryson quickly becomes an atrocious travel companion.
He may very well be a lovely person in real life, but here he comes across as a smug, condescending, sexist, fatphobic bully with a serious anger management problem. He screams at a couple out walking their dogs. He screams at manager of a hotel he's staying at. He melts down when some poor teenager working at McDonald's asks him if he wants to add an apple turnover to his order. And he seems to think we should be cheering him on: 'Yeah, Bill! You sure told that McDonald's employee! How dare he follow his manager's instructions and try to upsell you? No, of course you shouldn't have said "no thanks" like any normal person. You needed to put him in his place!'
At one point, he gleefully recounts hitting a ten-year-old child with his bag, just because the kid happened to be sitting across from him on a train and I guess Bryson couldn't cope with another human daring to exist in the same space for the length of a single train ride. It's no wonder his own wife and children didn't accompany him on this trip--he sounds like a terrible person to have to travel with. It's a shame, because I enjoyed one of his other books (America: One Summer, 1927) and had heard such great things about this that I went into it with high hopes. I left with such a strong dislike for the author, I don't know that I'll ever want to read anything by him again.
He may very well be a lovely person in real life, but here he comes across as a smug, condescending, sexist, fatphobic bully with a serious anger management problem. He screams at a couple out walking their dogs. He screams at manager of a hotel he's staying at. He melts down when some poor teenager working at McDonald's asks him if he wants to add an apple turnover to his order. And he seems to think we should be cheering him on: 'Yeah, Bill! You sure told that McDonald's employee! How dare he follow his manager's instructions and try to upsell you? No, of course you shouldn't have said "no thanks" like any normal person. You needed to put him in his place!'
At one point, he gleefully recounts hitting a ten-year-old child with his bag, just because the kid happened to be sitting across from him on a train and I guess Bryson couldn't cope with another human daring to exist in the same space for the length of a single train ride. It's no wonder his own wife and children didn't accompany him on this trip--he sounds like a terrible person to have to travel with. It's a shame, because I enjoyed one of his other books (America: One Summer, 1927) and had heard such great things about this that I went into it with high hopes. I left with such a strong dislike for the author, I don't know that I'll ever want to read anything by him again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexism
afox98's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. The book chronicles the author's tour through Great Britain before moving back to the United States. I laughed out loud several times. His descriptions of the various towns and villages he visited were humorous and thorough and very interesting. The stories gave me a glimpse into what daily British life is like in towns outside of London. Book could've been about a quarter to a third shorter and still been good… it just got repetitive after a while. The glossary in the back of English terms was also helpful.
tarikalily's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
A hilariously readable account of Bill Bryson's travels around the UK. Although now reasonably out of date, the quaint Britishisms are still incredibly recognisable. A great read for anyone wanting to understand rural Britain a little better, or considering a trip into the countryside to see a more traditional way of life.
Bryson writes critically of everyone he meets, whilst constantly professing his love of Britain, Britons and British culture. It's paradoxical but lovely.
Bryson writes critically of everyone he meets, whilst constantly professing his love of Britain, Britons and British culture. It's paradoxical but lovely.
fuckthisshit's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Bill Bryson, what a writer!!!