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fahyhallowell's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Almost 100 very short ssays about all aspects of the English countryside, each by a different author, scholar or celebrity. Writing is uneven, ranging from fascinating to funny to niche to dull. Edited by Bill Bryson as a fundraiser for the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
boomakes's review against another edition
2.0
This book was bought for me as I like Bill Brysons writing style. His name is boldly emblazoned on the cover with the small words 'edited by' above it.
This collection of short essays about some of England's idiosyncrasies contains some interesting points - but let's face it, it's no Bill Bryson!
This collection of short essays about some of England's idiosyncrasies contains some interesting points - but let's face it, it's no Bill Bryson!
seclement's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly, I was quite disappointed in this book. I read the reviews before purchasing it, and they generally weren't good. However, the book only cost 1 pence, so how could I go wrong? I also figured that people who reviewed it were just careless, as most of them felt ripped off that this book is merely edited by Bryson. I thought they either didn't understand edited books, or that they just didn't read the description closely enough.
I don't think the fact that Bryson didn't write this book is the reason this is a poor book. It's a poor book because the content is poor. Now, it's not all bad. The book is full of interesting facts and musings about England. But the essays are highly variable, with some being quite intriguing, some painfully boring, some terribly written, some beautifully composed, and many being utterly pointless. I would much rather have had a book full of longer, better chapters than the book of very short and variable chapters. The chapters are so short that you don't even have the chance to get engaged in the particular musings of the author before you move onto the next. Rather than acting as a taster that entices you to seek out more information, I found that it just left me disappointed or not engaged/interested at all. The worst chapters were rants about what ticks people off - most of which had to do with something in their own back yard. Now, NIMBYs aren't bad all of the time, but if you're going to be a NIMBY and write a chapter about it (in a book that's meant to be celebrating England, mind you), then you'd better be either witty or clever. Unfortunately they were none of those things.
The illustrations for each chapter are beautiful, and there are a few worthy chapters in the book. The concept of the book is brilliant, but it's just been poorly executed. I also would have liked a map for many of the chapters, as there are a lot of little places in this country, and it can be hard to keep track.
I don't think the fact that Bryson didn't write this book is the reason this is a poor book. It's a poor book because the content is poor. Now, it's not all bad. The book is full of interesting facts and musings about England. But the essays are highly variable, with some being quite intriguing, some painfully boring, some terribly written, some beautifully composed, and many being utterly pointless. I would much rather have had a book full of longer, better chapters than the book of very short and variable chapters. The chapters are so short that you don't even have the chance to get engaged in the particular musings of the author before you move onto the next. Rather than acting as a taster that entices you to seek out more information, I found that it just left me disappointed or not engaged/interested at all. The worst chapters were rants about what ticks people off - most of which had to do with something in their own back yard. Now, NIMBYs aren't bad all of the time, but if you're going to be a NIMBY and write a chapter about it (in a book that's meant to be celebrating England, mind you), then you'd better be either witty or clever. Unfortunately they were none of those things.
The illustrations for each chapter are beautiful, and there are a few worthy chapters in the book. The concept of the book is brilliant, but it's just been poorly executed. I also would have liked a map for many of the chapters, as there are a lot of little places in this country, and it can be hard to keep track.
snuzzbobble's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
annie_reads848's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I wish I’d read this when I lived in England, so I could have adventured to see some of the icons! This was a reflective and evocative piece that left me picturing the landscapes in my mind and longing to see them. Some of the essays were more difficult to follow especially if you weren’t familiar with English geography. I enjoyed the different styles of all the contributors.
bonnieelise's review against another edition
4.0
I love Bill Brysons books so I thoroughly read this one this month, enjoying the childhood memories of many well-known Brits. The very short stories are partly poetic odes to the flora, fauna, landscapes, and environments that make England unique.
selket16's review against another edition
4.0
A series of essays from British people talking about their favorite places and things that make England England. I've never been to England, but I still enjoyed the book, the descriptions and love in the stories. I don't think it matters where you are; you'll really connect with these essays. Wherever you are, there is a place or a thing that just makes you stop and think, "Yup, this is what it's all about."