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Notes from a Small Island

By Bill Bryson

(141)

| Paperback | 9780380727506

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Book Description

"Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain-which is to say, all of it."

After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestsellingauthor of The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to returnto the United States. ("I had reContinue

"Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain-which is to say, all of it."

After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestsellingauthor of The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to returnto the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another,so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out ona grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.

Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.

"Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain-which is to say, all of it."

After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestselling author of ,i>The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to return to the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out on a grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.

Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.

Critics

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson speaks a language happily understood by anyone who has spent some time in the British Isles, and many people who haven’t. In Notes from a Small Island, Bryson recounts his farewell travels around Britain as he prepares to return to the Un ... (read full critics)

themysteryreader published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

9 Reviews

2 people find this helpful

Needing to clear some space on my bookshelves I have decided to reacquaint myself with Bill Bryson’s travel books before Bookcrossing them.
This one was first published in 1995 and the edition on my bookshelf in 1998. I enjoyed reading this travelogue of his tour of the good old UK, many places ... (continue)

Needing to clear some space on my bookshelves I have decided to reacquaint myself with Bill Bryson’s travel books before Bookcrossing them.
This one was first published in 1995 and the edition on my bookshelf in 1998. I enjoyed reading this travelogue of his tour of the good old UK, many places mentioned of which I have visited during my lifetime. The amusing and often irreverent descriptions of familiar places and British habits were in some cases painfully accurate!
Whilst one might not always agree with Bryson’s viewpoint it is none the less an amusing read, though one must also accept that in some respects it is dated.
Certainly worth reading if you are at all interested in Great Britain but remember it was written over thirteen years ago and it has changed even more!
Re-reading this made me quite nostalgic at times especially the last few pages and his concluding comments. Currently living away from Great Britain it gave me an interesting reminder of the things, good and bad, that are unique to that small island where I am proud to say I was born.

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Lindyloumac said on Oct 9, 2009 | Add your feedback

Love This Travelogue

Being a regular traveller, Bryson has the ability to compare the UK with many other places, while also providing an almost native kind of insight and background, after living there for over 20 years.
With his usual blend of humour he describes many cities and towns, with their long history (maybe m ... (continue)

Being a regular traveller, Bryson has the ability to compare the UK with many other places, while also providing an almost native kind of insight and background, after living there for over 20 years.
With his usual blend of humour he describes many cities and towns, with their long history (maybe more than they can comfortably handle), mild weather, friendly people. I have lived in the UK for a few years and feel embarrassed that I haven't seen or understood nearly that much in my days there.
UK is not without its share of shortcomings (e.g. architectural blunders), and Bryson is not blind to these, but still he maintains loving and supportive tone in his criticism.

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Archer said on Nov 21, 2010 | Add your feedback

A terrific read! It's humourous, observant, funny and well-written, by an author who knows what he's talking about and shows a genuine love for the heritage and the architecture of the little island. Especially liked the observations on English character :)
It occasionally slows down and gets a li ... (continue)

A terrific read! It's humourous, observant, funny and well-written, by an author who knows what he's talking about and shows a genuine love for the heritage and the architecture of the little island. Especially liked the observations on English character :)
It occasionally slows down and gets a little repetitive, for example in the parts about the English riviera during low season, but I think that's not enough for me to stop appreciating the book.
You'll enjoy it if you have been to Britain, but also if you haven't, since Bryson's writing is so much fun. It was my first book by this author, but I'll definitely look for other books he published!

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natalia said on Apr 18, 2010 | Add your feedback

Funny, but a bit too long, sometimes it gets boring. It's a thicker book than "Neither Here Nor There" but here Bryson travels within a small island, not across a whole continent.

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ary29 said on Apr 1, 2009 | Add your feedback

This book will make you laugh a lot and learn about the United Kingdom and some of its most interesting places. This book is full of anecdotes about each of the city that Bryson visits on a trip around Britain.

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gabriel2009 said on Feb 2, 2009 | Add your feedback

very enjoyable

Bryson is the Everyman on a journey. I am wary of those travel writers, like Paul Theroux, who always meet amazing people and have amazing adventures when they travel. If you travelled through the whole length of Britain, you'd be cold, uncomfortable, often lonely, and in some pretty miserable place ... (continue)

Bryson is the Everyman on a journey. I am wary of those travel writers, like Paul Theroux, who always meet amazing people and have amazing adventures when they travel. If you travelled through the whole length of Britain, you'd be cold, uncomfortable, often lonely, and in some pretty miserable places sometimes. Bryson is like that. Best travel writer ever.

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Paola said on Feb 7, 2008 | Add your feedback