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jnjackson's review against another edition
2.0
I've been to most of the places in this book, and I had totally different reactions to them, so a lot of his observations didn't appeal to me. The book also felt really dated, but I'm sure it seemed very relevant in the early 1990s.
laurarayson's review against another edition
5.0
Was reading this slowly as just an every now and then read. But it’s just so brilliant! The way Bill Bryson writes had me laughing out loud literally. I’ve read a few of hai stories and will have to read the rest, because they’re such a joy to read. Funny and witty.
sallyavena's review against another edition
3.0
This journey across Europe was somewhat enjoyable, sometimes a little crude (he has a penchant for mentioning the red light districts of the cities he visits, so I skipped those parts; plus he likes to swear a little-especially when mentioning his first trip across Europe in his younger days), sometimes very funny and at times brought to light all of the typical stereotypes of various European countries.
aquint's review against another edition
I'm not sure I'm going to finish this book because I'm only on page 41 and I can barely focus on the words because I'm overwhelmed by the desire to to punch him very, very hard. I was trying to let some other ignorant comments go but then the chapter on Paris began. He goes on about how lights in French hotels are on a timer causing people to grope around in the dark if they do not find their room quickly enough:
"And from this I learned one very important lesson: The French do not like us. On my first trip to Paris, I kept wondering: 'Why does everyone hate me so much?'....The other thing I have never understood about the French is why they are so ungrateful. I've always felt that since it was us that liberated them--because let's face it, the French Army couldn't beat a girls' hockey team--they ought to give all Allied visitors to the country a book of coupons good for free drinks in Pigalle and a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But they never thank you."
Seriously? They should thank us and give us free things? His arrogance and sense of entitlement is disgusting. It's the same thinking that caused people (who had never been to Paris) to tell me prior to my trip abroad that French people hate Americans. As I expected, this statement was completely wrong and everyone I interacted with was polite and helpful, many friendly (gasp!).
I can't imagine I will learn anything useful from this book other than how sorry I am for every person who encountered (and will encounter) Bill Bryson on his travels.
"And from this I learned one very important lesson: The French do not like us. On my first trip to Paris, I kept wondering: 'Why does everyone hate me so much?'....The other thing I have never understood about the French is why they are so ungrateful. I've always felt that since it was us that liberated them--because let's face it, the French Army couldn't beat a girls' hockey team--they ought to give all Allied visitors to the country a book of coupons good for free drinks in Pigalle and a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But they never thank you."
Seriously? They should thank us and give us free things? His arrogance and sense of entitlement is disgusting. It's the same thinking that caused people (who had never been to Paris) to tell me prior to my trip abroad that French people hate Americans. As I expected, this statement was completely wrong and everyone I interacted with was polite and helpful, many friendly (gasp!).
I can't imagine I will learn anything useful from this book other than how sorry I am for every person who encountered (and will encounter) Bill Bryson on his travels.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed reading it, laughed out loud several times (including the scene where he orders a dead beaver in a Paris bakery: priceless), made me want to travel through Europe again. Oh, but for the weak dollar and weak wallet -- but I will read more Bryson books.
peter_gagne's review against another edition
4.0
A very funny, honest, well-written book. I liked it more than Bryson's "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid".
lookpook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Well one I didn't know this was the abridged version so that's annoying. But Bryson's humour ALLmost balances out the slight racial and sexist undertones in a lot of his stories. Its hard to not take him seriously - but maybe that's just his dry sense. Still a fun lighthearted travel read.
somanybookstoread's review against another edition
3.0
Generally, I like Bill Bryson a lot. I think he has a strong personality that comes through as a distinct and accomplished writer's voice. I think he's funny and clever and I admire how prolific he is and the range of topics on which he writes.
This book, however, is definitely a young and not yet fully developed Bryson as a writer. While the personality was very much there on the page and there were some passages that made me laugh out loud, the book was largely incoherent. Bryson came across as a whining tourist who didn't leave me with a distinct impression of any of the places he visited. He also seemed like a pervert and the multiple references to animal cruelty (wanting to shoot poodles, leaving a cat in a pantry for three weeks, a few others) did not sit well with me.
Will I read more Bryson? Yes. Do I think he's likely embarrassed by this work from more than 20 years ago? I hope so.
This book, however, is definitely a young and not yet fully developed Bryson as a writer. While the personality was very much there on the page and there were some passages that made me laugh out loud, the book was largely incoherent. Bryson came across as a whining tourist who didn't leave me with a distinct impression of any of the places he visited. He also seemed like a pervert and the multiple references to animal cruelty (wanting to shoot poodles, leaving a cat in a pantry for three weeks, a few others) did not sit well with me.
Will I read more Bryson? Yes. Do I think he's likely embarrassed by this work from more than 20 years ago? I hope so.