Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies -- in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales. Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies--in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Not a balanced view of Europe: 19 out 22 Chapters are on Western Europe Comment: PROS:
- Bryson's writing style is fluid and funny.
- Good coverage of Western Europe: 19 out of 22 chapters are on it.
CONS:
- The subtitle of the book is, "Travels in Europe", but it should have been called "Travels in Western Europe" since that's where 90% of the book takes place.
- Bryson has minimal interaction with Europeans, only interacting with the locals briefly, even though he traveled alone. He seems to travel with his guidebook in hand, looking at buildings, but not really spending much time getting to know the people. Part of that probably is that he doesn't speak a foreign language well.
- Not terribly informative.
CONCLUSION: Don't expect to learn that much about Europe, but do expect to laugh out loud. If those are your expectations, then you will love this book. I gave it 4 stars because it was so funny, so entertaining, that it overcame the flaws I listed. Customer Rating: Summary: A review from someone who actually lives in Europe!! (nearly) Comment: Ok, let me make some things clear for some readers.
So, if you are still with me, BB rambles around Europe in a hap-hazard way, making wry observations. The thing is this, and I suspect that many readers don't get it. Maybe its an English thing.
It spoils the book if you actually try and recreate it by going to see the things that he describes! It is more fun to not go there, and imagine that that's how those places and people actually are, and that amusing and gently madcap adventures follow him around. You will find that should you follow in his footsteps, madcap adventures are unlikely to follow in yours.
I think that BB explains his mindset best in his Down Under book, where he explains his best introduction to a new place is to have a cup of coffee and read the local paper. If that sentiment mirrors your own thoughts and attitudes, then I welcome you to the world of Bill Bryson, you will have a wonderful time.
For some others, I can save them some heartache by (forgive me Bill) offering you this abridged version.
Customer Rating: Summary: Hillarious - for a while Comment: About 100 pages into this book, I was on my way to ordering all of Bryson's books. A few pages later, my pace of reading started to slow down. And then suddenly I couldn't get any further, however hard I tried...
Maybe it was partly because his journey started in my home country of Norway, but I found myself laughing out loud constantly during the first part of the book. I also enjoyed the start of his European travels, but as he left Rome, I just didn't care anymore. The jokes seemed to dry up, and perhaps he lost interest himself? Anyway, I've tried to pick the book back up several times, but I'm just not into it any longer. And so far I haven't purchased any more Bryson books.... Customer Rating: Summary: Truly a "tour" de force! Comment: I'm not much of a traveller, but this book is one of the most delightful romps I've ever been on. Bryson is not only a very funny guy, he has a keen eye for detail, especially the traits that make us all human in our own particular, regional way. I've already started another Bryson book.
AW Customer Rating: Summary: Grouchily amusing. Comment: This was an enjoyable, undemanding read. At his best, Bryson is grouchily funny, though not as hilarious IMO as some other reviews would have you believe. He is better when describing the rough spots of travel than its pleasures. At times, an unattractive whining tone takes over - for instance, when he complains how a particular location, like Florence, is overrun by tourists. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to finding his skewering of the Swiss and the Austrians pretty much on target.
Three stars, because Bryson never approaches the level of a travel writer like Jan Morris, whose essays are infinitely superior.
