You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Kind of like Notes from a Small Island, but with everything clever and amusing removed.
Though not as laugh out loud funny as many of Bryson's previous books, this was still such a light and airy read, as easy on the mind as the English countryside he describes. I hope Bryson's England remains to be enjoyed by all. I think it's great his work has already done so much in the way of inspiring real life change.
I did chuckle at some parts, but I have to admit there's something about Bryson's writing that just doesn't resonate with me. I can see why he's popular, but I think this will be the last one of his I try.
I confess….The Road to Little Dribbling is the first of Bill Bryson’s books that I have read, and I have mixed feelings. I am sad (and a little ashamed) it took me so long to discover his books. But I am thrilled to have so many of his books to look forward to reading. Bryson is an American ex-patriot living in the United Kingdom. Before moving back to the United States in 1995, he traveled around the UK on a farewell tour. He wrote a widely acclaimed book about his adventures titled Notes from a Small Island. He moved back to the UK in 2004. And now, 20 years after the original trek and book, he took another trip around his adopted home and chronicles the experience in The Road to Little Dribbling.
Our family has traveled to the UK on several occasions. It’s one of our favorite places to visit. I can geek out over all the museums and castles, my menfolk can attend hours and hours of soccer matches, we all can feast on the best Indian food ever, and the British can wonder (and most likely laugh at) our Southern accents and our confusion over all the coins in their monetary system.
The Road to Little Dribbling is not a guidebook and it will not help you navigate your travels around the UK. But, it serves as a wonderful companion and an ode to all the things unique to traveling around this wonderful island. Some of things are positive (the many accessible walking trails) and others are most decidedly not (the vagaries of the National Rail Service). The book also highlights how things have changed (for better and worse) in the UK during the 20 years since Bryson’s original trip.
Except for an excursion to Stonehenge, Bryson’s travels take him off the beaten path. He does not repeat any of the destinations he traveled to in the first book. You will not find him roaming the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. However, he does describe many lovely, quaint sites and villages that you will want to visit. I found myself highlighting many places to visit on our next trip. I especially liked his description of many the walking trails scattered across the countryside.
He recounts his travels like your lovable, but cranky grandfather. He is easily irritated and set in his ways, but despite this, you love him and your time spent with him. He has no filter and says exactly what he thinks. I honestly found myself laughing out loud during almost every chapter.
So now I have read another book that has added to my ever-growing TBR. I just added Bryson’s entire backlist. And, I have already started an itinerary for our next visit to the UK. Can’t wait!
Our family has traveled to the UK on several occasions. It’s one of our favorite places to visit. I can geek out over all the museums and castles, my menfolk can attend hours and hours of soccer matches, we all can feast on the best Indian food ever, and the British can wonder (and most likely laugh at) our Southern accents and our confusion over all the coins in their monetary system.
The Road to Little Dribbling is not a guidebook and it will not help you navigate your travels around the UK. But, it serves as a wonderful companion and an ode to all the things unique to traveling around this wonderful island. Some of things are positive (the many accessible walking trails) and others are most decidedly not (the vagaries of the National Rail Service). The book also highlights how things have changed (for better and worse) in the UK during the 20 years since Bryson’s original trip.
Except for an excursion to Stonehenge, Bryson’s travels take him off the beaten path. He does not repeat any of the destinations he traveled to in the first book. You will not find him roaming the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. However, he does describe many lovely, quaint sites and villages that you will want to visit. I found myself highlighting many places to visit on our next trip. I especially liked his description of many the walking trails scattered across the countryside.
He recounts his travels like your lovable, but cranky grandfather. He is easily irritated and set in his ways, but despite this, you love him and your time spent with him. He has no filter and says exactly what he thinks. I honestly found myself laughing out loud during almost every chapter.
So now I have read another book that has added to my ever-growing TBR. I just added Bryson’s entire backlist. And, I have already started an itinerary for our next visit to the UK. Can’t wait!
Bryson is getting cranky. Crankier, really. I still enjoyed the book, though.
I’m not sure why I haven’t read more by this author, but that will change. The first book I read was his adventures on the Appalachian Trail. It was a book club read. I liked it. I picked this one up and found it entertaining, educating, hysterical at times, sad at others.
I have a thing for the UK. Maybe it is the rich history, but it’s a place I’ve longed to visit and sometimes hope to move to. I’ll be lucky to ever visit, so moving there is highly unlikely. This book was a little of me living vicariously through Bryson and the thing is, I think I’d have some similar feelings for the most part.
I have a thing for the UK. Maybe it is the rich history, but it’s a place I’ve longed to visit and sometimes hope to move to. I’ll be lucky to ever visit, so moving there is highly unlikely. This book was a little of me living vicariously through Bryson and the thing is, I think I’d have some similar feelings for the most part.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
slow-paced
"In countless small ways, the world around us grows gradually shittier. Well, I don't like it at all."
This quote sums up the message and tone of the book. Unfortunately, this is on page 176, and you've got quite a few more repetitions of this basic thought.
Although I laughed out loud at stories toward the beginning of the book, I grew tired of the format: this thing used to be good/nice and now they're terrible. It seems to me that the type of things Bill Bryson thinks have become intolerable (waiters, parks, rail travel) are rather middle-class, and with his points about austerity governments and social policies of UK governments, I wondered how a person with a different class background would perceive this.
Other reviewers have found the book "curmudgeonly," and I'd definitely agree. Skip!
This quote sums up the message and tone of the book. Unfortunately, this is on page 176, and you've got quite a few more repetitions of this basic thought.
Although I laughed out loud at stories toward the beginning of the book, I grew tired of the format: this thing used to be good/nice and now they're terrible. It seems to me that the type of things Bill Bryson thinks have become intolerable (waiters, parks, rail travel) are rather middle-class, and with his points about austerity governments and social policies of UK governments, I wondered how a person with a different class background would perceive this.
Other reviewers have found the book "curmudgeonly," and I'd definitely agree. Skip!