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.
What listeners say about Notes From a Small Island
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cecile
- 27-02-24
Funny book made funnier by the narrator
It helps knowing the places mentioned in the book. Regardless, the narrator does such a good job bringing funny moments to life. A great pick me up
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
- Andrew P.
- 05-01-24
Wonderful
An engaging, often hilarious and informative take on Bill’s travels across Britain. Absolutely loved it. You feel as if you are ravelling with him.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jo
- 05-11-08
A Note From A Small Islander
I love Bill Bryson's book and this is, by far, my favourite.
It's a while since I heard this originally broadcast on Radio 4 and I'd forgotten how much better it is as a native Brit to hear it read in an american accent as it makes Bryson's journey and experiences more charming and entertaining.
I thoroughly recommend this, even for diehard fans of the book - it gives it a whole new perspective!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
28 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Nina
- 17-04-17
A humorous insight into British life.
Bill Bryson takes you into a remarkable journey through the British towns and shares his own experiences of exploring Britain. This is a good and fun listen which will be appreciated by anyone who can laugh and is not looking for an accurate description of British history.
I especially enjoyed descriptions of significant and important historic sites, cathedrals and streets, which I'm familiar with, and a genuine overview of culture in different towns through author's eyes. There is just so much details and fun in there.
Although the book describes how Britain was decades ago, still so much and little has changed.
William Roberts infects you with Bill Bryson's enthusiasm. A beautiful narration, just what you expect from this easy listen.
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
- Simon W
- 30-01-10
Superb
Listened to this again and again, very funny, highly recommended.
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
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- jason finbow
- 29-03-21
Has not aged particularly well
I read this book about 15 years ago and loved it but have to say certain elements, however well intended, are not appropriate today. The narration does not help with inappropriate accents.
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
- Daniel
- 22-09-21
William Roberts does a great job narrating
captivating and humorous, Bryson's musings are brought to life by Roberts. The best audio version of any of his books
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
- Elaine Kelly
- 05-02-22
Love this book.
This book is very funny. I enjoyed it very much and everything he writes is so true.
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
- Amazon Customer
- 02-02-16
An excellent book, well read.
Great fun. I always enjoy Bill Bryson and this did not disappoint. Knowing well some of the places he visited it was really interesting to hear his comments and it made me laugh out loud at times.
William Roberts' narration was also spot on. He introduced just enough extra quirkiness into the text, through understated use of accents, and his delivery was so relaxed and natural it made you feel aa if he had written the book himself.
Highly recommended.
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
- Hilary
- 18-11-15
Brilliant
Wonderfully read and full of laugh-out-loud moments. A great listen which filled me with nostalgia for a pre Cameron Britain.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!