Rating: 
Summary: Knackered?
Review: Being part English and having studied and lived in the US, I feel I have some common background with Bryson. I think he could have done more with this one. At times, he doesn't seem to enjoy himself in his trekking, and his sprinkling his stories with typically English terminology at times seems contrived. This was my first Bryson, I'll try more to try to figure out what the hullabaloo is all about.
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Summary: This Book Will CHANGE your life!
Review: Okay this books won't change your life at all, but it may change your reading list. Have you ever read one of those books where you find yourself bursting out laughing at inappropriate moments? I had to stop reading this book in bed, because I kept waking my wife. I'll not rehash the plot, but this is an extremely funny and surprisingly poignant travelogue of Mr. Bryson's last trip around England's less-visited bits. Although I've heard otherwise from a Briton or two, I felt I could clearly sense his appreciation for England and his sadness at leaving. Funny, intelligent, and touching, this is the one that got me started on Mr. Bryson's books.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I could ever have expected
Review: When my husband purchased this book for me because of my interest in England & English history, I honestly didn't think it sounded all that appealing. I could not have been more wrong.This is only book I've ever read that has consistently made me laugh out loud. Often. In public places. On the NYC Subway. And I simply could not stop myself. It is intelligently written and includes some poignant moments and comments in amongst all the hilarious ones. It is just wonderful! I've already ordered some of Bryson's other books in the hopes that they'll be as good.
Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed by his mean observations of people.
Review: I have heard many wonderful things about Bill Bryson's books and as a soon-to-be traveller in the 'Small Island' of the title, I was interested to see his take on the place. I really enjoyed the anecdotal narration of his adventures. Bryson is an amusing, witty and informative travel writer. His method of travelling is like mine; we enjoy getting to know a place, its idiosyncrasies, its touristy spots and the more out-of-the-way places. However, after a while, his rather nasty observations about the people he encountered really started to annoy me. I found myself wanting to abandon the book after his nasty little dig at a family he observes in a resturant and describes as eating everything that passes by their table, particularly the contents of the dessert trolley. I thought that Bryson displayed a remarkable lack of intolerance and an excess of nastiness towards people. I'm not saying that one can't have a laugh at people, but the nastiness really got to me after a while and I am afraid this has prevented me from reading any more of Bryson's books. If I wanted to witness cruel intentions towards other people I'd tune in to the news. However, don't let this cloud your decision. It has probably more to do with the mood I was in at the time; I concede that I may have been in an overly sensitive mood.
Rating:
Summary: An unbearably funny book!!!
Review: Bill Bryson is simply brilliant and this may be his best work (and no, I am not his mother who just signed on to bolster sales). It is funny and touching without being sickeningly sweet. His love of Britain is evident, as is his mastery of English as a foreign language for native speakers. I simply could not put this book down once I started.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as his later stuff...
Review: This book is somewhat of a disappointment after reading his later works like "A Walk in the Woods" and "I'm a Stranger Here Myself". In this work, Bryson sets out on a "walkabout" around England before moving back to the States. He tries to convey the drollness and eccentricities of England's townships, but often misses and just comes up boring. Perhaps this book was not written for an audience outside the "Small Island". I would recommend bypassing this book and heading straight for his newer releases.
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Summary: A good guide at that !
Review: What can I add to all those reviews saying this book is funny, critical, up to date, intelligent: a brilliant read? Well, as I was preparing my journey through England and Scotland I used this book as a guide to learn about the British culture and habits, and it actually was very useful for that purpose too ! It's very well-documented. At that, it has very good tips about nice spots the tourist guides don't mention. And Bryson is a virtuoso when it comes to writing as well, which will make slobber everybody who loves language.
Rating: 
Summary: Notes from a boring old whiner
Review: Bill Bryson's inability to properly plan and research a trip may add to the hilarity of "A Walk in the Woods", but in "Notes from a Small Island" it is simply irritating. He drifts aimlessly about the country without, it seems, any real itinerary or plan of how he is going to get anywhere. He then complains constantly when he finds places closed, ends up staying somewhere of poor quality, or gets stuck somewhere due to a lack of public transport. Anyone who attempts to travel around any country on public transport without first researching into available buses and trains and their times, only has himself to blame when he ends up in some scrape. And Bill, did it ever occur to you that finding shops, restaurants or museums sometimes closed might be a good thing? The world is not just there for your convenience. People in rural England don't all work 70 hour weeks. Don't you think it's nice that these people might be doing things with their families, resting, or wandering aimlessly like you? The book is a kind of several weeks in the life of a guy with far too much time and money on his hands, and you soon realize that you're simply plodding through an account of a pointless routine of catching a train, checking into a hotel, going to a restaurant. What makes him think we're remotely interested in what he has for dinner every day! By the end of the book this routine gets really, well, boring, and apart from the odd funny paragraph, this book sucks.
Rating:
Summary: MRS SMEGMA RULES OK !
Review: I have the good grace to live in "Gods Own Country" as we call it here in Yorkshire, home to Bill for a number of years. His humour is quite unique, never before have I come across someone quite so adept at inducing sudden and unannounced uncontrollable laughter. His humour I noticed almost developed a definate Yorkshire twinge but before it had a chance to show its true colours he moved back to the blessed shores of the US. I had the great misfortune to be a train commuter when I first heard this tape and narrowly escaped being carted off to the funny farm in-between picking myself off the floor following minutes of deep howling laughter. There is something deeply satisfying about having all your little idiosyncrasies and personal habits dissected and made fun of - strangely enough - and doesnt Mr Bryson do it so well. How his portrayal of Mrs Smegma amused me and so reminded me of those wonderful heady days of Monty Python. Unfortunately, I have to confess that the likes of Mrs Smega do really exist, as anyone will testify who has stayed in a B&B in Bridlington or Blackpool. Do Americans really not know what a counterpane is? I am so glad Mr Bryson took our wonderful shores to his heart and produced such a brilliantly funny book. I heard his tape about Europe, Neither Here Not There, which was another marvellous piece of writing but it didn't achieve that special place in my heart like Tales From A Small Island did. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVE A WEAK CONSTITUION - LAUGHTER INDUCED HEART FAILURE MAY OCCUR !
Rating:
Summary: Do NOT read this book in public
Review: I simply adored this book - Bill's humour is so grating and blunt, and says the things you have been thinking for a long time, but havent dared to say them! I read this book whilst on exchange in germany, and i reiterate as before - do not read this book in a public place, such as on the trains - the odd looks i would get as i stumbled off the trains with heaving sides and tears pouring down my face were too innumerable to count. Notable favourites " Oi be drinking coider", and "Looks like its clearing up" - I witnessed the British hopefulness that the sun may rear its head and burst out laughing in the street. unfortunately, this is now an addiction - long live Bill Bryson!
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