Book Reviews of I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away

Funny account of Bryson's return to the USA after nearly two decades of life in England with his English wife and their four children. I found his perspective on America fascinating. He sees his home country with fresh eyes. I expected the book to be negative but it wasn't so. He mixes his trademark humor with sharp observations about life in America.

I LOVE this book...it pokes fun of many things that are so American...and makes you laugh because they are all true!

A humorous account of America's "quirks" from someone who hasn't lived here in 20 years. The book is broken into short essays, or columns from the author's newspaper job.

A series of entertaining insightful columns written for a British newspaper about life in New England and in America overall. Most of the columns are very funny, and will leave you laughing out loud. I'd definitely recommend this book!

Funny, a bit insightful, endearing. Offers a unique view of Americanna.

You think, "This isn't a funny subject," and then you find yourself laughing until the tears roll. Quite a few subjects hit home. I, too, grew up in Iowa's capitol city and have been known to read telephone books looking for unusual names. It must be a Des Moines thing. Excellent book to read when you want a good, loud, long laugh.

I really cannot say enough about this book or the author. I laughed out loud. He made me think and giggle. This is a collection of columns he wrote for a magazine in Britian. They are about his return to America. I did not enjoy every one of the essays but I enjoyed the vast majority of them. I cannot wait to read more of his work.

Bryson never fails to entertain. Each anecdote was full of laughter and well-noted ironies about America. This is a book that will be funny all over again on a second read!

Really enjoyed reading this book. There are very few books that make me laugh out loud and I certainly embarrassed myself in coffee shops by starting to giggle uncontrollably at this book. Bill Bryson is a great writer who mixes comedy and commentary in a uniquely appealing way. I highly recommend reading any of his work.

Absolutely delightful.

A compilation of articles written for an English newspaper describing life in America. I was reminded of the many things I love about both America and England (I lived in England for 3 years in the early 90's.)

After 20 years of living in England - Bryson, master of the humorous travelogue - gives us a glimpse of his take on his return to the US of A. Sure, there's humor, but the book - made up of columns Bryson wrote for a British audience - quite often takes a harsh view of the country that gave Bryson the basis for his skill. Perhaps I didn't enjoy seeing the ugly of our country pointed out (so much is true), but it wasn't my favorite of the Bryson books.

Sometimes laugh out loud funny.

Thought I'd enjoy it--was really looking forward to it. But I couldn't get into it--maybe it was the writing style. A big yawn for me.

Good memoir, very funny in spots.

I loved the book.

He grew up in US, moved to Britain for 20 years, then comes back, these are his interesting observations..just for fun.

A series of columns written for a British newspaper, describing the author's return to the US after 20 years in Britain. Hilarious insight to American culture & customs.

Not what I expected but comical and quick reading. Enjoyed it.

I became a fan of Bill Bryson after being introduced to his work while spending some time in England. His writing style is hilarious and fun to read. This is a great book for relaxing!

Funny and interesting book from someone who left the US and came back later in life.

A collection of articles he wrote upon returning to America after living in England for decades. Some are hysterical. I enjoyed it -and laughed out loud in the airport until people aked me if I was OK - because I like the deadpan English humor style he writes with. Not to mention the fact that he has no qualms about sharing his small public humiliations to make a story funnier. Poor guy. He seems to have Mr. Bean's bad luck, but with Mark Twain's eloquence, lucky for us.

This is an extremely humorous and insightful account of Bill Bryson's return to America after living in England for 20 years. Never has small town America looked this good, or hilarious. This is a joy to read - I'm only posting it because I also own the book in hardback, and I wanted to share.

Charming, witty essays by a likeable, grumpy fellow.

A funny account of the authors return to the wonders of America after twenty years in England.

Great travel writing; funny.

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