Bill Bryson..

[quimcunx]

I like some of his his stuff cos it does have some wonderful facts in it, but using as a travel guide, its a bit bogus

Only if it was marketed as a travel guide, which it isn't.

And his facts have stood me in good stead on many an occasion.

 

[Dravinian]

I like him, reading "A walk in the woods" right now after reading Thunderbolt kid, and quite enjoy his sense of humour and turn of phrase.

 

[In Bloom]

Quite funny at times, and "A Short History..." was fucking excellent. Unfortunately, being a decent writer and a scabbing cunt aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[bluestreak]

I really enjoyed the one about the evolution of language in the USA so I clicked 'Aright I suppose' but I don't like anything else he's done.

His linguistic works are fascinating, and the History of Everything book is a great read. The travelogue stuff I can take or leave.

 

[_pH_]

<e2a> I've not read 'A Short History of Nearly Everything,' though. I'll add that to the 'to read' pile...

it's good, i'll lend it to you next time i see you

 

[scifisam]

He's a funny writer but he's rather free with his amusing anecdotes presented as truth, so not a particularly good journalist but a passable humourist. He's fluff really - like a souffle that's collapsed under the weight of its own smugness.

Yeees ... but he's more like a souffle that's been made well. Lots of hot air, looks bigger than it is, a sweet taste that doesn't last.

But I do like him, in general. I just tend to doze off while reading. He has such a relaxing way of talking - and it is like talkling, not writing, but without being terrible.

I really only quoted you because I thought that yours a well-worded description, whether you agree with it or not.

my brother bought me a bill bryson book about shakespeare, i wanted the 3rd part of the nightwatch triology, so you can imagine how unimpressed i was.

I have been bought three copies of his Shakespeare book. THREE! It's tabloid Shakespeare. Lots of Shakespeare stiff is tabloid, and it has its place, but there is only so much one can read. Or wash dishes with (I have also been given three Shakespeare tea-towels by different people). That doesn't mean it's bad per se, just really bad for me.

 

[Pie 1]

I enjoyed Lost Continent & read the UK one ages ago.
I've tried bits of another couple, but find him infuriatingly twee & a bit too much of an old tosser too often, to go beyond that really.

I certainly don't feel I'm missing anything.

 

[Fuchs66]

I like him, reading "A walk in the woods" right now after reading Thunderbolt kid, and quite enjoy his sense of humour and turn of phrase.

Coincidence! I'm reading Walk in the Woods now and will be reading Thunderbolt Kid straight after, I like Bryson and I think a few people have totally missed the point here

 

[danny la rouge]

The Shakespeare book is the worst thing he's written.

To save you the bother, here's the summary:

We don't know a great deal about Shakespeare, actually. Really; we don't. And a lot of the things you think you know are a bit fanciful. We've got his will, though. You know the bed story, right? That's true. But not much else. He wrote some great plays, though, didn't he?

 

[stretchy18]

Reading his shakespeare book at the minute, quite entertaining but I always fall asleep in bed after a couple of pages

 

[kained&able]

TYried reading his england travel tales type book and stooped half way through.

Really really don't like him.


dave

 

[Santino]

Read one years ago and quickly realised he's a middle class prick, with all that entails...

Have you considered taking up literary criticism?

 

[Voley]

Edit: quimcunx has already made the point, no point rubbing it in.

 

[soulman]

Have you considered taking up literary criticism?

I have reviewed books in the past. Can't you tell?

 

[Dravinian]

Coincidence! I'm reading Walk in the Woods now and will be reading Thunderbolt Kid straight after, I like Bryson and I think a few people have totally missed the point here

I only just started and tend to read when waiting for things in areas, bit embarssing as I was standing in a group of about 60 people reading it when he wrote these lines...

"Rayette was six feet tall and had a face that would frighten a baby..."

"She's pretty ugly isn't she?"
I sought for tact..."Well, only compared to other women."
Katz nodded thoughtfully, then fixed me with a sudden fearful look. "you know what I look for in a female these days? A heartbeat and a full set of limbs."
I made a sympathetic expression.
"And thats just my starting point you understand. I am prepared to compromise on the limbs."

I laughed out loud while standing in a library surrounded by people. Did feel a bit silly.