Bill Bryson: the Cliffs Notes Version
If you've only recently discovered Bill Bryson, The Age just ran a nice overview.
Have beard, will travel By Jane Sullivan.
"The whole trick of travel writing, he says, is to persuade people who aren't interested that what happened to you is interesting. Some people do it with brilliant writing or insights: he does it with humour. 'I'm assuming a lot of people read my books because of the promise of a joke. I like to think that as they are reading, they begin to get interested in the subject.'"
Ah, don't we all love Bill. Here are some books to add to your collection.
- A Short History of Nearly Everything
- In a Sunburned Country
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
- A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
- Notes from a Small Island
- The Mother Tongue
- Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
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The first book I ever laughed out loud while reading was "Notes from a Small Island". People on the train thought I was insane, but I just couldn't keep it in. If you have ever lived in the UK (especially if you're American), this is a must read.
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My introduction to Bill Bryson was A Walk in the Woods. There were moments I was doubled up, clutching my stomach and thinking, "This is therapy in its purest form".
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I took A Walk In The Woods with me to read at the laundromat. I had to stop reading it as I fell out of my chair in tears and uncontrollable guffawing.
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I picture you on the floor having a grand time, Debbie. I would have joined you there and loved every second.