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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Sooo slow and negative. I've really enjoyed other Bryson books but this was a slog.
Apparently nothing in England is as good as it used to be...including this book! My advice is, stick to the original book [b:Notes from a Small Island|28|Notes from a Small Island|Bill Bryson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479653223s/28.jpg|940892]. There were occasional sections of laugh-out-loud humor, but mostly it was a rant against traffic, stupidity and how many places he visited before are now closed.
Listening to a cantankerous old man gripe about how the world is changing is far more entertaining than it should be.
Bill Bryson has a fantastic knack for making even the most mundane of journies full of wonder, excitement, and things to grumble about. I have never met a man who embraces the description of "crotchety" as much as Bill Bryson does, and frankly, it is quite inspiring. His travels make me excited to grow old.
This is a wonderful, entertaining, and truly funny book about Bill Bryson's return to the United Kingdom. I laughed so many times! It's not just what he writes; it is how he writes his stories, his unexpected phrases, that make his sarcasm endearing rather than irritating.
In this book, Bryson returns to many of the same locations in Britain as he wrote about in his book of 20 years ago, [b:Notes from a Small Island|28|Notes from a Small Island|Bill Bryson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479653223s/28.jpg|940892]. He compares the progress--or lack of it--in many of these locations.
Bryson tells a lot about the history of the various places he visits, as well as the people behind these places. He writes a lot of social commentary, and discusses in detail many of the decisions made by city planners--both good and bad. He fills the book with all of the personal anecdotes of his travels. It is obvious that he often exaggerates, but nevertheless, he is so funny!
I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Nathan Osgood. He did an excellent reading--I highly recommend the audiobook.
In this book, Bryson returns to many of the same locations in Britain as he wrote about in his book of 20 years ago, [b:Notes from a Small Island|28|Notes from a Small Island|Bill Bryson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479653223s/28.jpg|940892]. He compares the progress--or lack of it--in many of these locations.
Bryson tells a lot about the history of the various places he visits, as well as the people behind these places. He writes a lot of social commentary, and discusses in detail many of the decisions made by city planners--both good and bad. He fills the book with all of the personal anecdotes of his travels. It is obvious that he often exaggerates, but nevertheless, he is so funny!
I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Nathan Osgood. He did an excellent reading--I highly recommend the audiobook.
Bill Bryson's books are ones I will go to when I want a good chortle and a wry, sometimes exasperated look at the world we're in. Whilst I enjoyed this book enough, I didn't feel it was as fresh and entertaining as some of his previous works. His love for the natural world and fascination about people still shines through and there were one or two genuine laugh out loud moments, but on the whole, I think I would rather re-read Notes from a Small Island or The Lost Continent, before revisit this one.
Mellow, pleasant book to peruse before bedtime. It's just like his other books that I've read, which is a good thing. I'm not looking for something startling and unknown when I pick you a book by him. I'm looking for a light-hearted easy read that teaches me a bunch of random history facts. And that's what I get.
I normally can't stop laughing while reading Bryson's books. This one, however, regularly--like in every chapter--made m want to smack him.
He's just a cranky old man. Too bad; he used to be a fun travel companion. Now he's just a fuckin' grouch.
He's just a cranky old man. Too bad; he used to be a fun travel companion. Now he's just a fuckin' grouch.
It was nice to revisit Britain with Bryson as guide. Sure, sometimes his curmudgeonly rants are get too much, but he's still an enjoyable author. And I like the reader, as well.