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saoirsha_leabharlann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
This book, albeit dated (1990 vintage) delivers a journey though much of Europe in Bill Bryson's irreverent, hilarious, often times politically incorrect way of story telling. It is fun to join the ride. Of course with the fun is included many interesting facts and figures about the places visited. This book was a great time, and another reason i want to go back to Italy ASAP :)
arj_51's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyable read, very humorous and light hearted. Look forward to reading his book on Australia next!
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook read by William Roberts
Subtitle: Travels in Europe
First published in 1991, this is not aged well. Bryson had fond memories of his youthful adventures when he backpacked around Europe, one summer solo and the next with his friend, Katz. He attempted to re-create those magical summers, though this time having traveler’s checques, a travel agent, and full-service (mostly) hotels.
I’ve read several of Bryson’s books and found some of them hugely entertaining. But not this one. He seems far too snide and complaining, the “Ugly American” come to life.
Now, there are a few interesting and engaging scenarios when he’s not being a pain-in-the-a** complainer, and for that I give him two stars.
The audiobook is read by William Roberts, who, if possible, makes Bryson sound like even more of whiner than he is in print. There is also an Abridge audiobook, read by Bryson himself. I wonder if I would have enjoyed that more …. I guess that would depend on whether he cut the complaining part in favor of the nicer interludes, or vice versa. But I’m not going to bother to find out myself.
Subtitle: Travels in Europe
First published in 1991, this is not aged well. Bryson had fond memories of his youthful adventures when he backpacked around Europe, one summer solo and the next with his friend, Katz. He attempted to re-create those magical summers, though this time having traveler’s checques, a travel agent, and full-service (mostly) hotels.
I’ve read several of Bryson’s books and found some of them hugely entertaining. But not this one. He seems far too snide and complaining, the “Ugly American” come to life.
Now, there are a few interesting and engaging scenarios when he’s not being a pain-in-the-a** complainer, and for that I give him two stars.
The audiobook is read by William Roberts, who, if possible, makes Bryson sound like even more of whiner than he is in print. There is also an Abridge audiobook, read by Bryson himself. I wonder if I would have enjoyed that more …. I guess that would depend on whether he cut the complaining part in favor of the nicer interludes, or vice versa. But I’m not going to bother to find out myself.
kaleyamo's review against another edition
1.0
This is the reason people in other countries hate Americans. What is supposed to be humor is in fact a holier-than-thou haughty attitude that makes this book incredibly difficult to get through. Apparently it’s perfectly fine to be incredibly rude to people when you’re visiting their country and they can’t understand you because you aren’t speaking their language. Or, as the author jokes, it’s fun to say rude things to them when you think they can’t understand you. I would have DNF’d this book very early on had I not been reading it for a time-sensitive group challenge.