Book Review: 'Notes from a Small Island' by Bill Bryson

Published by Transworld Publishers (1996), paperback, 352 pages,

£5.89 from Waterstones at:

www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/bill+bryson/notes+from+a+small+island/4068226/

When Bill Bryson decided to move with his family back to the U.S.A after nearly 20 years of living in Britain, he declared that before his departure he must tour Britain for one last time. As he travels the island, from its booming cities to its quaint nooks and crannies, Bryson explores the reasons why he loves the British nation: from its ridiculous choice of place names like Shellow Bowells and Titsey, to its refreshing ability to create humour under the direst of circumstances. Through tracing back to his memories of Britain when first travelling the land, Bryson relives the glowing impressions the country aroused that so greatly enticed him to remain. 

In preparation for reading this book in a public place I would strongly recommend, to save yourself from scenes of embarrassment, mastering the skill of stifling laughter. On more than several occasions when reading this book I succumbed to snorting – always attractive. This book is constantly amusing and mostly hilarious. Both in his witty musings of the absurdist British traits and in his ability to enter into silly situations, Bryson’s work is a markedly humorous read.

This book is greatly complimentary of the British nation and if you are a native and in need of a lovely ego boost I would recommend the read. Here is one of Bryson’s observations of Britons which I was rather surprised to read:

‘One of the charms of the British is that they have so little idea of their own virtues, and nowhere is this more true than with their happiness. You will laugh to hear me say it, but they [Britons] are the happiest people on earth. Honestly. Watch any two Britons in conversation and see how long it is before they smile or laugh over some joke or pleasantry’ (pg 98).

And I thought Brits were just really good at queuing. Obviously there are more reasons to read this book than to receive a bit of flattery; nonetheless, Bryson’s depictions of Britain’s quirks do make you feel warming towards the nation, imploring you to read further. If you want to learn more about Britain, its past and present, its progression and deterioration, from an entertaining and insightful writer, then this is a wonderful book to read.