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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
While it's entertaining like Bryson's other books, it requires a substantial amount of knowledge of the UK to fully appreciate.
I enjoyed this - a fun look at Britain and British life, a little out-dated now but thoroughly funny and insightful throughout.
I was disappointed with this book, especially as I loved Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything.
I don't doubt that Bryson is an Anglophile, but he has a funny way of showing it. He's rude to waiters and B&B staff, he moans about the weather and walking places, and loathes many of Britain's high streets. There is the odd funny anecdote but honestly I did not enjoy this book. Perhaps the fact that it was written in the 90s was a contributing factor too as the humour and references are out of date.
I don't doubt that Bryson is an Anglophile, but he has a funny way of showing it. He's rude to waiters and B&B staff, he moans about the weather and walking places, and loathes many of Britain's high streets. There is the odd funny anecdote but honestly I did not enjoy this book. Perhaps the fact that it was written in the 90s was a contributing factor too as the humour and references are out of date.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
This is the first Bryson book I read. I hadn't moved to the UK yet, but was at that point an Anglophile at least. I found it a perfectly accurate description of Great Britain and its people, and now that I've lived in the UK for almost 7 years, feel I must read it again.
Enjoyable reading about Great Britain for sure, but a bit slow with descriptions. Also the author’s opinions were amusing at some points and pointless at others. And I know this is particular to me, but I feel like a good book gets downgraded when vulgarities are used for comic relief.
"In fondo, tutto ciò che è necessario alla realizzazione di un rigoroso regime comunista è insito nella natura dei britannici. Tanto per cominciare sono persone cui piace fare senza. Sono bravissimi a rimanere uniti, specie di fronte alle sventure, per il bene della collettività. Stanno pazientemente in coda per un tempo infinito e accettano con straordinaria forza d’animo l’imposizione di razionamenti di cibo, pietanze scondite e carenze improvvise di beni di primaria necessità, come è noto a chi vada in cerca di pane il sabato pomeriggio in un supermercato. Sopportano bene la cieca burocrazia e, come ha dimostrato la signora Thatcher, sanno tollerare le dittature. Sono capaci di aspettare per anni e senza batter ciglio la consegna di un elettrodomestico. Hanno un talento naturale per le spiritosaggini sull’autorità, pur senza criticarla seriamente, e traggono generale soddisfazione di fronte al tracollo dei ricchi e dei potenti. La maggior parte di chi è al di sopra dei venticinque anni si veste già come i tedeschi dell’Est. Le premesse, in breve, ci sono tutte."