Search - Notes from a Small Island

I didn't enjoy this book as well as the other Bill Bryson books I have read. I've never been to England, so I think I missed much of the humor.

Hmmmmm....I usually like Bill Bryson's books but for whatever reason, Notes from a Small Island just wasn't a great read. He's usually witty and I love his sarcasm but I felt like this was the never ending book. It just seemed like the same observations and comments chapter after chapter. But maybe that's the point he's trying to make (which I think he does state at the end)...that's it all the same in England...small town is small town. He would have done better had he taken some time to get to know the locals instead of just walking around by himself all over England. Maybe then we could have seen the little something that makes each town or city different from the next one. Not my fave but will definitely continue to read his books...am especially curious about the ones in the states since he's from the US.

Love Bill Bryson. Even though I often have no intention of traveling to the places he's writing about, his "take" is still very interesting and amusing.

Bill Bryson is one of the funniest writers I have read lately. This early book has some wonderful moments, especially if you have also travelled in England, stayed in B&Bs, and navigated tiny, hedge-lined streets.

Nice quick read.

This book is a laugh out-loud funny tale of Bryson's farewell "tour" of Britain. He wittingly describes what endears him to the people and places, but whines interminably about the mishandling of the country's treasured architecture. Having never been to the island myself, I found myself constantly referring to the tiny illustration at the front of the book for his whereabouts. This map however, was no substitute for a real map and I eventually googled and printed a better version to help me picture where he was in each chapter. (Hey...I might go there one day, and most certainly would want to find Boar's Hill so I could run over some of those "no turning" signs in their driveways!)