Bill Bryson

[PistonBlue]

As good (well, better imo) than anything Bill has written. An excellent read.

 

[mackenzie]

As good (well, better imo) than anything Bill has written. An excellent read.

I read that the other week. Had never heard of him despite it being published about 10 years ago.
I enjoyed it and the parallels with Bryson are obvious, but I think it is a different kind of book in one way, in that it is as much a voyage of discovery and identity as anything else.

Was gutted to find out that the author died just a few years after. Comes across as a genuinely nice man with a sharp intelligence and a great sense of humour.

 

[1.618034]

Love him. Read most of his books now.. Half way through At Home which is really interesting, though not particularly funny. His travel books are hilarious though. Read Notes From a Small Island on holiday this year... Would be great if he did an update though as he wrote that in 1993. He recommended, well actually insisted that Durham was worth a visit, so we went up there for the day last week.. And he was right. Obviously.

A Short History Of Nearly Everything is absolutely superb and, as has been said, should be on the School Curriculum.

 

[PistonBlue]

As good (well, better imo) than anything Bill has written. An excellent read.

I read that the other week. Had never heard of him despite it being published about 10 years ago.
I enjoyed it and the parallels with Bryson are obvious, but I think it is a different kind of book in one way, in that it is as much a voyage of discovery and identity as anything else.

Was gutted to find out that the author died just a few years after. Comes across as a genuinely nice man with a sharp intelligence and a great sense of humour.

You're right about the two being slightly different. The OP mentioned how funny Bill's books are and it just put me in mind of Pete McCarthy who's books I've found a lot funnier than Bryson's. Tbh I've always thought BB was over rated, although admittedly I've only read Notes from a Small Island.

 

[simonk]

his autobiog "life and times of the thunderbolt kid" is the funniest book Ive ever read.
If you like Bryson you will love this

 

[molineuxblue]

Tim Moore - French Revolutions or Continental Drifter. Another travel writer, very funny. Never read any Bryson so can't compare.

 

[MCFCTrick]

his autobiog "life and times of the thunderbolt kid" is the funniest book Ive ever read.
If you like Bryson you will love this

Is that the one where he returns to his hometown after 20 odd years living in England....?

He goes in a diner in middle of nowhere, waitress hears his by now odd accent and asks where he is from? Rather explain it all, he simply replies 'Britain'
To which she says, 'Well, for a foriegner, you speak pretty good English'.....lmfao.

 

[alib]

I'd also recommend to those who like Bryson

Stuart Maconie's "Pies and Prejudice" and also "Adventures on the High Teas"

 

[blue47766]

his autobiog "life and times of the thunderbolt kid" is the funniest book Ive ever read.
If you like Bryson you will love this

Is that the one where he returns to his hometown after 20 odd years living in England....?

He goes in a diner in middle of nowhere, waitress hears his by now odd accent and asks where he is from? Rather explain it all, he simply replies 'Britain'
To which she says, 'Well, for a foriegner, you speak pretty good English'.....lmfao.

No it's Return to the Lost Continent. Halfway through it. Nearly bought 'Thunderbolt Kid' today from a charity shop but they wanted two bloody quid, cheeky b++++++s

 

[Donkey Boy]

If there's a funnier author alive I'd like to read him.

Are you serious Bill is about as funny as woodworm in a cripples crutch!