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  • Notes From a Small Island

  • By: Bill Bryson
  • Narrated by: William Roberts
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (251 ratings)

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Notes From a Small Island cover art

Notes From a Small Island

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: William Roberts
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Publisher's Summary

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.
©1995 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Notes From a Small Island

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Laugh out loud

Laugh out loud. Great Bryson insights as usual. He makes you want to go travelling.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Just not for me

Some years ago I had read a Bryson novel regarding his observations of American culture. It was a great read and hence I was somewhat excited at the prospect of having one of Bryson's more popular works read to me.

I found it to be frankly dull. This flies in the face of the overwhelming majority of other reviews both here and Amazon. It just didn't do it for me which is a shame.

I tried restarting several times but alas, simply could not become enthusiastic. To my mind the narrator is fine, but the content had the flair of unleavened bread. I don't believe my standards for interest are overly high as I will happily watch a five day test cricket match.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Notes from a small island

The humour of the writer and his capture of the character of the people and the land

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

humour abundant descriptions

swearing most unexpected or appreciated. and unnecessarily used. but great to follow the journey through Britain to awaken many own memories

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just laugh

So true, for anyone who knew the UK in the 1980s and 90s

A little dated perhaps- I’m not sure whether Bryson would find it as funny now - but a classic nonetheless

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very funny

Very funny & wryly observed. Wouldn't make you want to voluntarily visit G.B. though ha ha

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Not bad

The version read by the author is much better. The artist doing the reading is fine, but the authors own voice is better

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining adventure with Bryson as usual

Enjoyed the Narrator story telling, perfectly encapsulated places, people and my favourite… the accents!! Fascinated by the adventures and experiences, makes me want to visit the little islands one day…..

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hilarious and accurate

As a Brit living in Australia for the past 20 years this was a trip down memory lane full of nostalgia and pride . Bill has captured Britain in a brilliant way .... loved the Book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

encapsulates the life and times of the Island

really loving the narrator. They sell the story and make it successful. Bill Bryson has a wonderfully flowing narrative. One that I can identify with and totally understand. Thank you!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.