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Notes from a Small Island summary
An Affectionate Portrait of Britain
22 mins
Brief summary
"Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson is a witty travelogue that explores the author's hilarious observations and reflections on his farewell journey around Britain. It is a must-read for anyone who loves British humour and culture.
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Notes from a Small Island
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Key idea 1 of 8
Britain is a small island packed with memorable places and notable individuals.
After 20 years in Britain, American-born writer Bill Bryson decided to move back to the United States with his family to give his children the experience of sampling life in a different country. Before heading back to the States, however, he hit the road for a farewell tour. His aim was to spend a couple of weeks revisiting his favorite haunts and rediscovering his love for the island that had stolen his heart all those years ago.
At the top of his list were places of personal significance – towns like Virginia Water just outside London. That was where he first put down roots after arriving in Britain in 1973. Initially, he’d planned on simply visiting old college friends. But soon enough he found himself accepting a job in the local sanatorium. It was there that he met the woman he’d marry just 16 months later.
And what else does Bryson make of his adopted country?
Let’s start with size. Seen through American eyes, the United Kingdom isn’t just different – it’s tiny.
Take the river Thames. It looms large in history, but if it were in the United States, it would only rank as the country’s 108th-largest river! And the Lake District, a mountainous region in the north of England famous for its many bodies of water, is smaller than the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
It may be small, but Britain is much more densely populated than the United States.
To get a feel of just how tightly packed the country is, imagine adding up the populations of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado and Texas and cramming them into an area the size of Iowa!
And it’s not just the density of the population that sets the country apart – it also contains an extraordinary number of important sites and notable people.
A good example is the graveyard in the small village of Sutton Courtenay, near the city of Oxford. While strolling along its paths, Bryson discovered that both the famous author George Orwell and H. H. Asquith, the liberal prime minister of Britain at the outbreak of the First World War, were buried in the same local cemetery.
The tombstones of both men are simple affairs engraved with humble inscriptions. That two figures whose names are known around the world can share the same cemetery with so little fuss suggests that this isn’t uncommon in Britain.
Oxford is brimming with traces of its famous luminaries. The lab in which Edmond Halley discovered his eponymous comet is just a stone’s throw from the racing track where Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. Just around the corner? The old home of Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
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What is Notes from a Small Island about?
Notes from a Small Island (1995) was written by American-born author Bill Bryson as he was preparing to leave the small Yorkshire village in which he’d lived for 20 years, and head back to the United States. Before departing, he decided to bid a fond adieu to his adopted island, Great Britain. This travelogue documents his farewell tour of Britain’s landscape, culture, mores and wonderful eccentricities, which he’d come to love so dearly.
Notes from a Small Island Review
Notes from a Small Island (1995) takes readers on a delightful journey across Britain, and here's why it's a book worth reading:
- With its hilarious observations of British quirks and idiosyncrasies, it offers a unique and humorous perspective on the country.
- The book's vivid descriptions of landscapes, cities, and landmarks immerse readers in the beauty and charm of Britain's diverse regions.
- Through engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes, the author captures the essence of British culture, history, and traditions, keeping readers thoroughly entertained.
Best quote from Notes from a Small Island
What an enigma Britain will seem to historians when they look back. . . this is still the best place in the world for most things. . .
—Bill Bryson
Who should read Notes from a Small Island?
- Brits looking for a humorous depiction of their own culture
- Non-Brits curious about this eccentric island
- Lovers of travelogues and memoirs
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Notes from a Small Island FAQs
What is the main message of Notes from a Small Island?
The main message of Notes from a Small Island is an insightful and humorous exploration of Britain's quirks and charms.
How long does it take to read Notes from a Small Island?
The reading time for Notes from a Small Island varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Notes from a Small Island a good book? Is it worth reading?
Notes from a Small Island is a delightful read for anyone interested in British culture. It offers a unique perspective and witty anecdotes.
Who is the author of Notes from a Small Island?
The author of Notes from a Small Island is Bill Bryson.
What to read after Notes from a Small Island?
If you're wondering what to read next after Notes from a Small Island, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
- In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- The Story of Sushi by Trevor Corson
- Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
- Empire by Niall Ferguson
- How Language Works by David Crystal
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- The 12 Traits of the Greats by Dave Martin