Dear Bill Bryson Audiobook By Ben Aitken 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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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 United Kingdom

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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This book makes me want to go back, across the pond, and visit the UK, again. Aitken goes beyond the famous, phone boxes, and the double-decker buses, to weave an account that may inspire one, to, also, follow, in Bryson's footsteps.

A Grand Triumph

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I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to read (listen to) more books from Ben.

Very nicely done!

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After getting used to the writer’s quirky humour, it is really interesting and a nice overview of UK. Natives will understand more but good for non natives as well

Liked it actually

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The intent was intriguing. I was curious to see what a later journey discovered that was same and different from Bryson's original. However Aitken's speech rhythm, dropping down at the end of each sentence becomes dreary. He does seem depressed by much of his travels. Even enthusiastic reviews have the same down tone. I gave up about two thirds through .

Narration distracts from content

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Sadly, at least with this example, Ben Aitken shows himself to be an even worse narrator than he is an author, and he is not a very good author. I have not listened to Bryson's Notes From A Small Island, but of the ones to which I have listened they make me chukle and Bryson is a decent narrator. I can not recall a single moment of amusement listening to Aitken's 8.5 hrs of droning. The last 2 hrs are a little better but not by much. I did manage to listen to the entire thing so that gets from 1 star up to 2 stars.

Not funny, just boring

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I love Bill Bryson’s work; I did NOT love this. While Bryson writes with wit, charm and a sparkle, Aitken comes across as pretentious, negative and easily disappointed by anything and everything. His narration doesn’t make up for it as he delivers a lifeless performance that seems to emphasize his negativity. If you like Bryson, give this a miss.

Nope

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