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Britain by Bryson: review of Notes from a small island

November 1st 2006 02:10
Notes from a small island
Bill Bryson writes travel books and Bill Bryson's books travel. They're popular and continue to sell long after publication. This level of popularity of books is usually the result of heavy marketing and, just as often, an indicator of bland, conventional writing. Not so with Bryson.


Notes from a small island details Bryson's trip around Britain prior to leaving for the US. It's a backpacker's last hurrah and good, very light reading for anyone thinking of travelling there, for anyone wanting to reminisce about their time there, for residents, and for those who don't know anything about Britain (beyond Big Ben and The Young Ones).

Bryson's humour does lead to laughing out loud in public, and if you don't believe me, the book jacket will back me up. If you still don't believe me, read it. It will only take a few hours.

The worst that can be said of Bryson's writing is that it contains a lot of so-called 'Dad' humour: a little bit corny, the kind that makes you roll your eyes. I like the way he writes about being grumpy on the road, though, and the way he refers to himself (as fat, clumsy, old, bearded) it's endearing. I am interested to know how he deals with crap waiting staff, getting caught in the rain, missing his family, and finding himself in crap towns with nothing to do.

I also reccommend his book on travelling Australia: Down Under


If you've read any good travel narratives about London and/or the UK, please let me know. Thanks.
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2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Twistedbrick

November 1st 2006 04:02
But you love it because of the dad humour, don't you?

Have you read his books on America? I've always been curious about them, but never compelled enough to pick one up.

Comment by Sam

December 16th 2006 11:41
Dad humour has its place.

I haven't read the America Bryson books. Why don't you read them an let me know what you think?

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