Customer Reviews

Bill Bryson Collector's Edition: Notes from a Small Island, Neither Here Nor There, and I'm a Stranger Here Myself

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I purchased the audio book to listen to on a long car trip. The reading by the author is great, however the quality of the recording is inconsistent. Mr. Bryson's natural intonation is fairly low to flat, but as his voice rose (occasionally) and fell (frequently) during his reading of the material, there was little to no effort by the post production team to modulate and equalize the volume - making the lower tones inaudiable. At one point I had the volume on my car stereo at maximum and was still missing words and parts of sentences, only to be almost blasted from my seat when a new chapter would start and the volume level rose precipitously. I own 2 other audio books by Mr. Bryson and did not have the same experience with those products.

I have a small collection of Bill Bryson audio books and I enjoy them all immensely. The fact that they are read by the author, only increases the enjoyability. These stories are not only entertaining, but quite educational as well. Bill Bryson is a gifted writer who can really "bring you there", makes you want to visit the places he is in...and right now. I'm looking forward to expanding my collection. You won't be sorry with your purchase.

I love this guy!!!!!!! I'm addicted to his books, and I've passed along my addiction to kids and grandkids. What a mind. Plus, hearing him read his books adds another dimension. He's the best possible kind of teacher: dispensing factual information inside a capsule of wonderful entertainment. His wife, by the way, is a saint.Bill Bryson Collector's Edition: Notes from a Small Island, Neither Here Nor There, and I'm a Stranger Here Myself

Pretty simple: if you're a Bryson fan, you will love this. I have read many of Bryson's books, but honestly find the audiobooks much more enjoyable, mostly because Bryson's voice is so contagiously endearing and funny. All 3 of these books are great, but they are not necessarily his best. Check out "A Short History of Nearly Everything" and "The Lost Continent" if you'd like to continue on with this author.

I bought this set to listen to on a long car trip, too. It seems to me that these stories would be quite usefully informational to the prospective traveler. There is a strong male perspective, especially in Neither Here Nor There, that I expect the male reader will get a kick out of.

Notes from a Small Island gives a different slant on Great Britain, that is, a pedestrian point of view. Bryson delves into minutia of potential interest to those backpacking, and especially some good tips on where not to go. The populace of remote locations is interestingly illuminated, proving that not every one lives in the current century.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself draws attention to American foibles, with specific humorous references to modes of transportation. It also scores many good points regarding the excesses of the American lifestyle.

All in all a fun ramble. However, do not expect a life-altering experience.

I have always been an ethusiastic fan of Bryson. From "The Mother Tongue" to his recent, "The World is a Stage", Bryson writes objectivly, clearly, and with humurous cynacism. So, I was very excited when this audiobook of three of his older stories came out.
In quick summary, I found "Im a Stranger Here Myself" remarkably funny (just listen to Bryson's explanation of the American phenomana of the attic, american hosptality, or the garbage disposal) from beginning to end. "Notes from a Small Island" starts off exciting, with Bryson reminiscing over his first trip to England as a teenager, while parelling it to his most recent trip as a wiser adult, noting both physical and cultural differences (with an extremely funny account of his stay in an English Inn), although it wanes after awhile, with Bryson seeming to run out of novel things to say as he heads north. "Neither Here nor There" I was dissapointed with. Bryson tries to quickly summarize the nuances of many European countries, noting their eccentricities and habits. I think Bryson bit off a little more then he could chew; you can't summarize the history and culture of Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden, and many others in just a few hundred pages without appearing redudent and hasty. I was in danger of falling asleep in my car.
Bryson narrates and is very soft spoken. My volume was all the way up just to hear him. But he is a great narrator, and I wish I had more his books spoken through his voice. Overall worth getting and a great value for three Bryson books, but certainly at this point in his career not the cream of the crop.