Discussion
About a year I asked the PH massive for advice on what books were worth reading and a number of people suggested I try Bill Bryson. Never one to do things by half, I went on to Amazon and bought every book he's written!
Anyway, I've just finished the fourth book and I have to say they are very, very good. Gut wretchingly funny and amazingly inciteful at the same time. As such, I have two motives for posting this:
1) Thanks to those who recommended his books;
2) To wholeheartedly recommend his writings to others. They are an odd combination of travel writing and (almost) fiction.
Anyway, I've just finished the fourth book and I have to say they are very, very good. Gut wretchingly funny and amazingly inciteful at the same time. As such, I have two motives for posting this:
1) Thanks to those who recommended his books;
2) To wholeheartedly recommend his writings to others. They are an odd combination of travel writing and (almost) fiction.
Edited by srebbe64 on Tuesday 26th August 03:42
If you've enjoyed his books, specifically Notes From A Small Island, then avoid like the plague his telly series of the same name.
Bryson is a marvellous writer, but he cannot present at all; he has a high, gusty voice and no natural rhythm to his speech at all. I was most disappointed when I watched Notes From A Small Island - I had always (for no particularly good reason) expected him to speak in a rich baritone, and instead I was listening to the American version of Joe Pasquale.
Bryson is a marvellous writer, but he cannot present at all; he has a high, gusty voice and no natural rhythm to his speech at all. I was most disappointed when I watched Notes From A Small Island - I had always (for no particularly good reason) expected him to speak in a rich baritone, and instead I was listening to the American version of Joe Pasquale.
Jock Strap said:
Did you read A short History of nearly everything? Found it very hard going, but well written and pretty imformative! Still havn't read the whole thing though, just flicked between bits that looked interesting
I have that on MP3. I found listening to it very relaxing when im decorating or doing a similarly mundane job. Much easier than reading it i find.LP
. A Walk in the Woods is especially good.Mother Tongue
Made in America
I love both and have read each a number of times.
Bryson is not a natural TV presenter or narrator. The original Radio 4 broadcast of "Notes From a Small Island" were read by American actor Kerry Shale who has a much livlier and engaging voice. It's available on CD.
Made in America
I love both and have read each a number of times.
Bryson is not a natural TV presenter or narrator. The original Radio 4 broadcast of "Notes From a Small Island" were read by American actor Kerry Shale who has a much livlier and engaging voice. It's available on CD.
CommanderJameson said:
Bryson is a marvellous writer, but he cannot present at all; he has a high, gusty voice and no natural rhythm to his speech at all. I was most disappointed when I watched Notes From A Small Island - I had always (for no particularly good reason) expected him to speak in a rich baritone, and instead I was listening to the American version of Joe Pasquale.
I missed that but recently he did a Panorama (IIRC) on litter which was almost unwatchable. Pikey P said:
Jock Strap said:
Did you read A short History of nearly everything? Found it very hard going, but well written and pretty imformative! Still havn't read the whole thing though, just flicked between bits that looked interesting
I have that on MP3. I found listening to it very relaxing when im decorating or doing a similarly mundane job. Much easier than reading it i find.LP
k, trying to do beer s
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