Search - Notes from a Small Island

Notes from a Small Island
Larger
Notes from a Small Island
Author: Bill Bryson

Book Information
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780380727506 - ISBN-10: 0380727501
Publication Date: 5/1/1997
Pages: 282


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio CD, Audio Cassette, Audio Cassette, Hardcover

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 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.


Members who requested this book also requested:

Similar books to this author and title:
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town AmericaA Walk in the Woods:  Rediscovering America on the Appalachian TrailI'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years AwayIn a Sunburned Country


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Lorraine T. (mysterylover) wrote on 7/3/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Sandra S. (sandyspinner) wrote on 4/25/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

As an Anglophile I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone else who wishes sometimes that they were living across the pond.

Linda P. (lillinda) wrote on 1/7/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read this and felt like I had been there!

Elaine B. wrote on 7/15/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Really funny and engaging read for ex-pats and anglophiles everywhere!!

Bobbie L. (nascargal) wrote on 5/31/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Deborah S. (arabella) - PA wrote on 5/13/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Funny and satirical wit about jaunts around Britian.

PATRICIA K. (AgathaRaisin) wrote on 3/30/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

It is obvious that Bryson absolutely loves Britain. And as always, he's good for a laugh!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Madeline F. (madelinefox) wrote on 4/17/2009...


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!)

Laurie L. (toteach32) wrote on 1/20/2009...


If I weren't familiar with Britain, I would't always "get" when he was being sarcastic/funny (making up place names, for example) and when he was being serious. But then, is he ever being serious? This IS a funny book just not as funny as I thought it was going to be.

Shaun (sec) wrote on 1/8/2009...


I first read this book years ago before going to England. It was laugh-out-loud funny. Now, after having lived in England several years, I read it again and it was even funnier! Bryson’s observations and anecdotes range from cute, to nostalgic, to just-plain-funny. He has a knack for turning rather mundane situations into brilliant comedy.

I love Bryson’s humor, but it isn’t for everyone -- be warned that sometimes his humor is crass and he’ll use four-letter-words once in a while.

Julie W. wrote on 6/27/2008...


Bill Bryson travels his adopted homeland of Great Britain and his observations about the people and places take the spotlight in this travel diary.

This is classic Bryson. Lots of acute observations, some dry humor along the way, and many adventures. While I enjoy Bryson, his writing is not for people who have not been to the place he is talking about. I enjoyed his other book "Neither Here, nor There" much more as I had been to Europe and the places he had been to in that book and therefore found his observations much more amusing than in this book.

I actually put this book down. It was entertaining for sure, but I just got sick of hearing about England after awhile. I will of course read Bryson again, but this one was just not a fave.

three Stars.

Barbara B. (bbfreckles) wrote on 6/3/2008...


Never been to Great Britain. Don't plan to go. But it doesn't matter. Anything Bill Bryson writes is entertaining and funny. Totally enjoyed it.

(crackabook) wrote on 3/19/2008...


I enjoyed the book's beginning with the authors use of humor and description of the wonderful U.K., however, it became very predictable, repetitive. Each town he went to the same old same old. It could no longer hold my attention. I longed for an ending, so I jumped to the back few pages after I had labored more than half way through awaiting some change. I really had no need to look at the back pages, I already had guessed the ending...he arrived back home. If you need something to pass the day without any effort or need to hold onto the story there are some enjoyable moments but for me, I needed to end it early.

Nanci O. (valleygirl) - Ogden, UT wrote on 4/22/2007...


Hilarious and educating!

Terre M. wrote on 4/7/2007...


Delightful Reading

Jeanne M. (silybum) wrote on 1/20/2007...


Excellent!

Damaris D. (Erinyes) wrote on 7/30/2006...


Very clever.


Book Wiki
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors