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!
Rating:
Summary: It's so accurate
Review: As an expatriate Brit (and adopted Yorkshire man) living in the USA for the last 10 years, I have to say that Bryson has done an exceptional job. In one volume he took me on a nostalgic trip back from the 70's to the 90's. His writing is extremely honest. Who hasn't ranted at some unfortunate sales assistant at some time in their life? (Unless you are one of the well mustn't grumble brigade), tried to get back into their hotel late at night in a state of relaxation? . He described it as I remember it, more importantly he so accurately described what I love, and what I hate about England. Those astute people who noticed the repetitive/boring the descriptions of the towns are missing the point; the High streets are identical (Boots, M&S, Currys, WH Smith). The shopping centers are hideous. He told it like it was, and like it is. Bill Bryson gets my seal of approval
Rating: 
Summary: Notes From A Small Island
Review: I absolutely loved this book. For the first 2 chapters or so, it was just as well that I was not on a train, as I continually laughed out loud involuntarily. However, after that, the book settled down to A GOOD READ. Bryson has an (for me) unfortunate habit of using "the f-word". Once I got used to that fact, he stopped doing it and I thought he had given it up for Lent, only to find that he would catch me unawares with another one. However, his humour is the same. After the first two chapters, the humour settled down. Just when I thought it was safe to go back on the train, he would say something devastatingly funny and I was laughing out loud again. I love his observations on "we British". Having read Paul Theroux on the same topic (Great Britain) I would say "give me Bill Bryson every time (language or not!)". Read this book if you love Britain and walking.
Rating:
Summary: Take a break from factual tour guides and laugh...
Review: Take a break from factual tour guides and put a bit of cheer in your reading with Bill Bryson's witty cultural commentary on British life and custom. Bryson, an American who lived in England for 20 years working as a writer for the London Times, set off for one last look at a country that has intrigued him, bewitched him and charmed him. Notes from a Small Island is tales of his wandering, written with amusing and insightful humor. P.S. Best read during you visit to England or afterwards. Recommended
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite Perfect!
Review: The thing that I liked best about "Notes From a Small Island" is the fact that by the time you have finished reading it Bill Bryson feels like an old friend. He is completely open with the reader and is not afraid to laugh at himself. Most of the humour comes from the fact that everything he says about the British is so true! I know that I often fall into the "mustn't grumble" category! I have decided against giving this book 5 stars, however, because Bill does tend to whine on rather about his obsession with cities and how modern architecture is ruining them. This book had me falling about in fits of laughter, especially the scene with the waterproofs, but it would have been ten times better if Bill had just cut out some of the rubbish. In conclusion, however, this book is a brilliant and enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a laugh.
Rating: 
Summary: a fun but repetitive book!
Review: This is the first Bill Bryson book I have read and I found it humorous in some parts. I enjoyed the descriptions of British people at the beginning but as the book went on they became rather tedious as all were similar statements. There are lots of laughs in the book, along with some quite offensive 'jokes'. I found that there is no actual story line, so there is no real incentive to keep reading, as events at each place visited are predictable. This is an enjoyable book to read which succeeds in putting a smile on your face!
Rating:
Summary: Only if you enjoy boredom
Review: When I first picked up the book I was optimistic, his work being praised by those that had read it. His work on Notes from a big island was a huge success for me, so i was very disappointed with Notes from a small island. On the whole it was boring, Bryson always talking of his pet hates for bad architecture, among many, many other hates. He doesn't half moan about them all the time. In some parts he actually seems offensive, and when he shouts at the poor guy working in McDonalds, he just seems like a grumpy, bitter old man. There are however a few parts in the book that gave a smile to my lips, the well known 'Vodaphone man', and everyone knows a Mrs Smegma. I would buy this book if it were on special offer, but it would probably sit on my shelf and collect dust.
Rating:
Summary: mediocre
Review: I studied this book for A-level English, and found it fairly average. I have read a wide variety of books, and my favourites are those which contain many aspects towards making it an enjoyable novel. This is the only Bill Bryson book I have read, and whilst it was extremely humorous in places, at times it became very repetitive. Almost every destination he travelled to raised the same criticisms, and this was boring for the reader. Overall, Bill Bryson writes some funny and truthful scenarios which the reader can relate to, but at times his humour is in poor taste. The amusement in the novel is all it has on its side.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read.
Review: This is quite clearly the best book I have ever read. Bryson manages to convey humour every step of the way. This book, although the first I have ever read, sets the standard as far as I am concerned in terms of writing style and making th book an enjoyable read. If I were to pick some bad points from the book however, I would say that Bryson tends to go a bit too far with some points in the book. This is particularly apparent where he takes the mickey out of people too much, as with the case of Vodafone man. Here he quite clearly preys on this man and uses far too many scathing comments to describe this unfortunate man. This is only a minor point however, and I did actually really enjoy reading this book.
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