Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Notes From a Small Island
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Notes From a Small Island
Buy Now for £16.00
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Featuring a special introduction written for the audiobook edition and read by the author
After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson, the acclaimed author of such best sellers as The Mother Tongue and Made in America, decided it was time to move back to the United States for a while. This was partly to let his wife and kids experience life in Bryson's homeland, and partly because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another. It was thus clear to him that his people needed him. But before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of modern-day Britain, and to analyze what he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite, zebra crossings, and place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey, and Shellow Bowells. With wit and irreverence, Bill Bryson presents the ludicrous and the endearing in equal measure. The result is a social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain.
More from the same
What listeners say about Notes From a Small Island
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Eric
- 12-05-10
Britain to a Tea
Bill Bryson at his most poignant and funny and read by his favourite narrator makes this all very worthwhile laid back listening in the bath with a glass of wine. OK he's a Yank but he has a good insight in to the UK after some time living here watching all our nuances and multicultural foibles. His other works just follow on easily after this with the same narrator .
Brilliant value as you can listen again and again and again!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 08-07-12
Great narrative, shame it's not read by the author
Hugely enjoyable listen but lilt spoiled by Bryson not reading it. His other books benefit from his reading. Otherwise well worth it
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mub
- 11-12-11
A humorous look at Britain
Bill Bryson has a specific style of writing. He looks at things from humorous angle. Sometimes he exaggerate the description but overall I enjoy his accounts which include some local history of the areas he visits and his portrayal of the people he meet. William Robert's narration suits Bills style. He is a good narrator and makes the whole audio experience worth listening to. Britain is an interesting historical place to visit. Bill's travel through this island is interesting because he did it on public transport and hence describes the places that generally remain out of usual tourist itinerary.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Benny
- 30-09-12
My First Audiobook!
This was both my introduction to audio books and to Bill Bryson. And what a good introduction it was, too.
The book itself is crammed full of the kind of information that makes you want to visit some of the places he talks about. And there's humour, too. Lots of humour. William Roberts' reading, I think, adds to this - however, I have never heard Bill Bryson speak so I can't offer a balanced viewpoint. It's much better to hear an American reading it though.
He introduces you to places you never knew existed and makes you laugh until you cry - the pub in Glasgow is my favourite part! But be warned there are some rude words, especially in the pub in Glasgow...
An easy 5/5 and an excellent introduction to the world of audio books.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah P
- 13-06-21
Bill Bryson at his best
It is a long time since I read and Bill Bryson (and I have read and enjoyed many of his books). I think I enjoyed this the most - hilarious, insightful and hugely entertaining. Narrator is fabulous too. Highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan Smith
- 26-10-20
Made me feel homesick, in a good way
Its odd to see the entire British psyche wrapped up in one book. As Bill strolls through places I have lived and places I have been I really enjoyed learning more about this island I have grown up in. I struggled a little bit in places, but overall I was really glad to have finished this book. It kept me interested at the end, which for a book like this is difficult. Plus the narration was actually rather good. May get me to read more Bill Bryson, when I'm in the right mood.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joe Glynn
- 18-12-20
Very interesting, well read and written very well.
I listened to it in just a few sessions whilst at work and loved every chapter.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Seaside Barb
- 16-01-21
Amusing and interesting
A well-narrated and often funny observation of our country and its inhabitants- I enjoyed my virtual journey with Bill, especially during our current times when we can't make real journeys.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vanessa H.
- 23-01-21
enlightening with a giggle or two
enjoyable listening with many a laugh out loud moment. personally, I really like this narrator and think he brings some added value to the reading.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- KM
- 23-03-21
Loved it!
My first audiobook, probably not what I'd normally listen to but thoroughly enjoyed it. Had me laughing out loud.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!