Notes from a Small Island cover art

Notes from a Small Island

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Notes from a Small Island

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
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About this listen

After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move back to the States for a while but before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain. His aim was to take stock of the nation's public face and private parts (as it were), and to analyse what precisely it was he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite, a military hero whose dying wish was to be kissed by a fellow named Hardy, place names like Farleigh Wallop and Shellow Bowells, people who said 'Mustn't grumble', and Gardeners' Question Time.

©2004 Bill Bryson (P)2004 Random House Audiobooks Adventure Travel Europe Adventure Celebrity Funny Witty Feel-Good England

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All stars
Most relevant
This is such a good book which I read years ago. It's funny, quirky and gently mocks the British way of doing things.
I like Bill Brysons narration of his own books very much.

The book was great apart from very odd music suddenly drowning out much of the narration when Bill Bryson reached John O Groats. It was most peculiar and unnecessary....I didn't know where the music was coming from initially and then it swelled louder and louder until I wondered whether to turn off the book! Luckily it only lasted a few minutes but I do wonder what it was for and how it was supposed to enhance the recording.
Apart from that I thought it a good recording and would recommend.

Love this book

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In chapter 5 the music drowning out the piece on John o Groats I find irritating in the extreme. Very odd!!

Music spoiler

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Loved listening to the book - makes me want to explore my home country. The humour is likely my favourite aspect of this listen.

Enjoyable and informative

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I agree with most of what Bill says, and his delivery is wonderfully elegant and humorous.

A right riveting read

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I'm a lifelong fan of Bill Bryson & own all of his books. I have read all of them countless times & never tire of his dry humour & his bewildered take on the world around him. To me, this book is still his finest moment & to hear the man himself narrating it is a delight beyond words. You can hear the joy in his voice when he describes something he loves & his exasperation when he finds something disagreeable or confusing. The market is saturated with humorous travel books, but Bryson is the unquestionable king of the genre & I am looking forward to hearing many more of his books narrated by the man himself.

Bryson at his best!

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