Dear Bill Bryson: Footnotes from a Small Island

Amusing to some extent. I suppose some similarly talented writer ( there are almost as many writers as there are painters, singers a la Pop, and Z celebrities ) will follow in Aitken's bootsteps and so on ad infinitum I paint and write, but for my own amusement. I never stop laughing. I will read another of your books and hope it is a little more original. Good luck Mate.

Having just finished reading Bill Byson's Notes from Little Dribbling, which I found disappointing compared to other Bryson books, I ordered this book hoping for a better experience. Although some parts were amusing, I could have taken less vulgarity. I would also suggest some more editing. It is jarring to see the misuse of common homonyms: complemented for complimented, their for there, hear for here. If you want to read a really funny book about travel in the UK, I strongly recommend Free Country by George Mahood. It is thoroughly entertaining as are his other books.

Amusing, interesting, informative!Ben Aitken sometimes starts an anecdote seemingly a bit harshly, yet always ends each of those with kind, compassionate thoughts.You don't need to have read Bryson's book to enjoy this one.

Overall a really wonderful, thoughtful and sometimes snarky retracing of Bryson's journey. But it has its own personality in Ben's steps. Would have enjoyed it more without Ben's frequent employment of the f-bomb.

3-1/2 stars. Interesting premise, some nice contrasting views, good writing but inconsistent aspect, conflicted views on Bryson. Overall a decent read if one has read the Bryson book -

As a great fan of 'Notes from a small island', I looked forward to this book as almost being a companion with new eyes. It certainly was that but it also still amusing and refreshing in it's own right.

An interesting follow-up to Bryson's Notes From a Small Island. Entertaining and a good read

Interesting premise. I liked his humor.

I wasn't sure about this, bought on a whim as I am a bit of a Bryson fan and I was mildly interested to see what Mr Aitken came up with. Happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has his own voice and is in no way copying Bryson or attempting to be remotely like him stylistically. He simply uses Bryson's book as a guide to give structure to his travels. It is an interesting companion to Bryson's work as the author sees the world differently and indeed the country has changed in the years between the two books.Bill Bryson himself has done his own Small Island revisited but I much preferred Ben Aitken's - which ought really to tell you all you need to know.

This is a brilliant idea! Ben Aitken follows the great travel writer’s itinerary around Britain, bringing the eyes of a new generation to describe what has happened to Bryson’s world. Aitken writes with wit, insight and the occasional rant. The book is filled with seemingly effortless descriptions that anyone who has tried their hand at travel writing will covet.. Take this, about the thriving city of Aberdeen: ‘Up and down the clear streets went large cars driven by moisturised men in decent knitwear’. A great first book and I look forward to reading his later adventures.

I enjoyed following the author's exploits, which is the highest praise I can offer any travelogue. His observations are witty, if not a little too often reliant on reference to contemporary popular culture. I warmed to him over the course of the book but did feel that at times rushing to keep Bryson' s schedule limited his ability to absorb his surroundings adequately to offer real insight and it sometimes frustrated. I also felt a little remark on the impact of the journey on the traveller would have been a better way to round out the book.Overall a worthwhile read, but you do need to read the inspiration to truly appreciate this tome.

Ben Aitken is an exciting writer! I read Bryson’s original work and I read this. Aitken isn’t trying to be Bryson, he’s merely using Bill’s work as a signpost. Some of the reviews of this book clearly miss the point, and the humour! Very British. Very dry. Very good.

A funny, astute and self-aware travelogue that deconstructs Bryson's 1995 book on Britain while serving up some satirical swipes at the state of the nation today.

I found this book to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, with a few serious points to make beneath the light humorous tone. I notice that some previous reviews have suggested plagiarism. That is laughable; the author barely quotes Bryson; he simply follows his journey. And he does it well. Make your own mind up.

I wasn't too sure when I started this homage, however, other than the odd typo very enjoyable and witty. Observant in his own way the author keeps your attention and his comparisons to Brysons views are rewarding. A good read, recommended.

I enjoyed the book. At times perhaps I was a little irritated by the continual references to Bill Bryson's book and wished that the author had set out to write a book that stood on its own merits (which I think it is perfectly capable of doing). But it is amusing and quirky and helps to pleasantly pass a few hours.

Entertaining, Loves the U.K. but finds lots wrong with it. Like most of us.

If you love Bryson, this is is a must read, if you can't stand the man this is essential reading, also.I have now read this book three times, and it gets better with each read.Highly recommended.

If you like Bryson, you will like this

Enjoyed it greatly, but slightly puzzled by the gotten, line meaning queue, and bookkeeper meaning bookmaker. Is Aitken really British?

interesting read

A great homage to Brysons notes of a small island. Had me laughing aloud frequently. Great read

Brilliant entertainment