If you love Great Britain or have enjoyed Bill Bryson's writing, run, do not walk, to read this book. It's a follow up to Notes from a Small Island which was published twenty years ago. It's very entertaining, informative, and evocative. Bill Bryson at his best.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
Grier, I just started this yesterday! I was dying of laughter within two minutes as Bryson described his special ability to be in just the wrong place at just the right time-to get clunked on the head by the gate at the car park in Deauville. Hilarious, I love Bill Bryson's work. In his book At Home he points out that English churches are not sinking into the ground, it's just that they've buried thousands in the churchyard over the last three or four centuries and it starts to show. This is information I cannot live without!
Posted by
33 posts
...just finished it and passed it on to DH. As usual with Bryson, I laughed out loud at various times
throughout the book but he also brings up some very vexing issues affecting his adopted country.
He's becoming a tad curmudgeonly in his old age...boy, do I understand that! All in all another great
read from Mr. B.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Bill Bryson was a cranky guy even when a lot younger. It put me off and spoiled my enjoyment of his writing.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6291 posts
I think Bryson's best book was "A Walk in the Woods," about his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. (Don't pre-judge the book from the movie.) "Home" was also wonderful. I signed up for the "Little Dribbling" book at our local library as soon as I heard about it, and we're something like 50th on the waiting list!
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
Thank you Grier! I'm looking forward to reading it!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7027 posts
Jane, I placed a hold at my local library this morning - 33rd in line. Must be a popular choice. I'll have to be patient. Love his books.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6291 posts
Nancy, our library ordered more copies, so I may get one within a couple of weeks. Or months. Did you know that libraries rent copies of popular books so they have enough on hand to meet demand. Brilliant!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7027 posts
Jane, I don't know if our library rents books but I do know that sometimes the same books you put on hold do have a couple of copies in general circulation also. So, even though I have it on hold, I'll probably run down there and check the shelves just in case. I love libraries, rarely ever buy a book anymore.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6291 posts
Same here. Our small town has a nice library, and Tulsa, just 10 miles or so away, has an amazing library system. Public libraries rank with national parks as America's best ideas.
We use the library to winnow out guidebooks; check them out, peruse them, before actually spending money on them. Libraries are also great for videos of films and TV shows.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
I really identified with his, The Life and Times of Thunderbolt Kid. Growing up in Nebraska in nearly the same time period with many of the same experiences.