Dear Bill Bryson cover art

Dear Bill Bryson

Footnotes from a Small Island

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Dear Bill Bryson

By: Ben Aitken
Narrated by: Ben Aitken
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About this listen

An irreverent homage to the '95 travel classic, from the author of The Gran Tour

In 2013, travel writer Ben Aitken decided to follow in the footsteps of his hero - literally - and started a journey around the UK, tracing the trip taken by Bill Bryon in his classic tribute to the British Isles, Notes from a Small Island.

Staying at the same hotels, ordering the same food, and even spending the same amount of time in the bath, Aitken's homage - updated and with a new preface for 2022 - is filled with wit, insight and humour.

'It would be wrong to view this book as just a highly accomplished homage to a personal hero. Aitken's politics, as much as his humour, are firmly in the spotlight, and Dear Bill Bryson achieves more than its title (possibly even its author) intended.' Manchester Review

©2022 Ben Aitken (P)2022 W F Howes Travel Writing & Commentary Witty

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Critic reviews

"It would be wrong to view this book as just a highly accomplished homage to a personal hero. Aitken's politics, as much as his humour, are firmly in the spotlight, and Dear Bill Bryson achieves more than its title (possibly even its author) intended." (Manchester Review)
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the authors love and respect for Bryson is clear, this books attempts at comic asides sometimes come off but in my opinion concentrates far too much on the mechanics of the journey (and in many cases the authors political and social views) rather than the joys and idiosyncrasies of the villages, towns and cities of Britain.

I think also a mistake not to employ a professional to read the script too, it's only listenable in short bursts.

stick to the book on which it's based

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I've recently listened to The Gran Tour and The Marmalade Diaries. I don't enjoy Ben's narration but it was worth persevering because those books had warmth and were really engaging. This book is dull.

I wanted to like this

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For me personally not the best book I’ve listened to this year. Still enjoyed Bill Bryson book better.

Not fantastic

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After reading The Marmalade Diaries I was keen to read another Ben Aitken book. I found this interesting and very funny . on to my 3rd now.

I enjoyed it

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Managed to get to chapter 2 but was finding this very slow and not very amusing but as the narrator said, his writing is only funny by accident. Needs a bit more spark in the narration, the dead pan delivery was a bit dull unfortunately.

No spark.

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Have to say I was unsure as “sorry Ben” Bill Bryson is not for me, far to American for my tastes but I needn’t have worried I loved this almost as much as The Gran Tour or my personal favourite The Marmalade diaries. So glad that it was also narrated by Ben himself I just don’t think it wouldn’t have been half as much fun if anyone else had read it. Personally I think the way it is read is all part of it, that dry English sense of humour is what’s required. You either get it or you don’t. It won’t speak to everyone I’m Sure, a trip around some of the less traveled towns and cities of the Uk that should only be visited by travelling salesmen I guess like it’s humour is a very British thing but I will definitely be looking out for more written and narrated by this Author and if he makes it onto the small screen I really would love to see The Marmalade diaries as a TV series.

Just loved this book

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Ben takes a while to get into his narration, but once he does, his emotions can be heard in his retelling of the stories of his visits, just as Bryson does. The emphasis on political views took me out of the narrative too often. Still, an enjoyable audiobook, and, as a love letter to Bill, is very good.

I reckon Bill would enjoy it

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Poor man’s copy of Bill Bryson. This is also peppered with lefty observations. Boring. Basically like a Guardian version of Bill Bryson book.

Poor

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just too keen to get across his political and social standing at every chance possible,

poor

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The title and description had given me high hopes, but I found it snarky without being witty and lacking any of the charm of the book that had inspired it. The tone and intonation were very dull and unappealing to listen to, though listening at 1.5 speed helped a bit. If you’re a Bill Bryson fan, don’t bother with this book.

Disappointing

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