“Notes from a Small Island” by Bill Bryson – The American Perspective

The British Isles have often been portrayed, from the North American perspective at least, as having lots of charm and mystery to them, with their inhabitants having so many close similarities and, at the same time, vast cultural differences. It feels like a bizarre place on Earth where all is different and yet the same.

American author Bill Bryson had the chance to fully immerse himself in this fantastic world upon moving to Britain in the early 1970s.

However, after spending many years there he looked back on the home country he left, and concluded that his people clearly needed him, to fend off alien abductions and whatnot.

However, he couldn't allow himself to leave his new home without at least offering a grand goodbye tour, which happened in the form of a book titled Notes from a Small Island.

Basically, the whole book is about us following in Bryson's footsteps through England, Wales and Scotland, seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing the same things he did.

Naturally, much attention is paid to details and Bryson seems to play interesting deduction games rather often, dissecting and analyzing to the bone the small towns in which he spent no more than a day.

His descriptions and insights truly contribute to making the whole place come alive, and making the reader feel as if they are actually living out the journey as well.

A rather large amount of environments was explored, including museums, historical sites, old homes, pubs, reputed restaurants, galleries, downtown areas, countrysides, hotels, motels, so those of you seeking to explore the country by any other means than physically visiting it will be in for a treat as it seems to go infinitely deeper than any tourist program you can find out there.

As you can certainly imagine, Bryson doesn't simply dedicate the pages to recounts of his experiences... he takes the time and effort to provide his own thoughts (which, more often than not, are rather amusing) on the many observations he makes and challenges he is faced with.

As you get deeper and deeper into it though, it became increasingly apparent to me that the book is also a study of difference between humans.

After all, it is no secret that in general, people fear and are apprehensive of those who are different, and it feels as if the message he is trying to get across is that not only will vast differences between people and cultures always exist, but they should actually be celebrated as they are , partially at least, what fills this life with so much fun and wonder.

While there is certainly some food for thought, don't expect this to be a tourist guide or an in-depth study of British customs.

Rather, it is a reminiscence of the wonderful time spent by the author in the British Isles, and it is done mostly through funny stories and accounts of noteworthy experiences. It is something meant to be simply enjoyed rather than studied.

All in all, if you are interested in the British Isles and want to visit them from within the pages of a book filled with beautiful descriptions and insightful stories, then Notes from a Small Island is definitely a work I would recommend you read.

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Bill Bryson Personal site Bill Bryson is a best-selling author of American origin, being best-known for his humoristic works, often touching upon scientific themes or the English language itself. He lived in Britain for most of his life, where he skyrocketed in popularity with the publication of Notes from a Small Island, and a bit later, A Short History of Nearly Everything.