Bevm

Bryson's great as an audio book because he reads them himself.

I laugh aloud, too.

Bev

Fleaflyfloflum

I will have to look for this. I have very mild dyslexia so find it hard to focus on books. This will be ideal.
I saw him interviewed on Parkinson once. Very interesting and funny guy.

sdunx

My wife might assist people, after 15 years in Australia she never wanted to return to UK, however I persuaded her to give it a go last May, after 7 months she admits she much prefers the UK and never wants to return to Oz. We're even discussing selling up our house in Oz and buying a one here (YES!!!! )

ededed

Can she call my wife? She's a South African - her folks are here. Mine are in the UK. 2 kids here (4 and 1). My brother is in the UK, as is her sister (who's just had a 3 months prem baby who is doing well). The clincher for me is my 10 year old son is also in the UK. I go back every 3 months to see him for a week - but it means I never get a holiday with my kids here. I have a job I'm not enjoying - which makes me think part of the unhappiness is due to that. We have been here 2 years - I am 80% sure I want to go back but know my wife is here with her parents and friends. She'll do whatever I ask but I feel selfish for dragging her back to the UK....but I miss my son...help!

Mummy in the foothills

Thats a horrible delema ededed.
Maybe you could have her move back with you for a set amount of time and then discuss which country would be best for everyone.
Or drag her parents to UK with you. then they could see the new baby too.

Ruby Murray

Thanks for the advice....I'll look it up on Amazon or Chapters

ededed

Her mum has said if we move to the UK, she'd move too - both her daughters would be there - might be an option. I would certainly drag them! Cheaper than flying.

We were here for a few years, back in the UK for 6 years then back here for 2 - we can't decide! A problem of our own making to be sure - but whatever we do next is for keeps....I just can't be arsed to swap countries again - let alone hemispheres...!

ededed

I get Private Eye posted out to me here in SA - couldn't live without it. And as for curries....if I don't have a chicken madras soon (sharing a pasanda with wifey) then I'll get the DTs. My sister in law is in Cumbernauld so we also venture east to Glasgae for a curry - best in the world! (IMHO).

My dad is in Auchtermuchty - beautiful hills and fields - and haggis!

kevin747

My mum's in Anstruther

DDL

What a great question - and follow-up discussion. Thanks for the book recommendation. (Like I need an excuse to purchase yet another book!)

With regard to the brilliant Bill Bryson, his "Notes From a Small Island" used to also be available on DVD (we have it) but in checking with Amazon.com just now, it appears to be discontinued. Might be able to pick up a copy on eBay, etc. Superb DVD.

He and his wife - after a period of time living back here in the US - have now returned to the UK to live. He President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Here's his website: http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/billbryson/

Ruby Murray

Well Islandergirl, as suggested by you, I bought Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island" as my Christmas present, as well as "Mustn't Grumble" by Joe Bennett and it was this book that I decided to read first. I tried to see the humour in this book but I couldn't. I actually found the writer to be more negative and nit-picky about his tales of touring round England, and I kept waiting and hoping to actually read something funny or uplifting. What I was most surprised by was his not-very-pleasant attitude of Cornwall...like it was depressing and overly hyped in it's tourism industry - well he did visit Land's End in the pi$$ing rain and even the Gardens of Eden can look miserable in the rain!

Anyway, in a nutshell....I grew bored with the book half way through and started on Bill Bryson's. What a breath of fresh air!! Talk about funny as hell and yes, it is one of those books you find yourself laughing out loud to!! All observed through the eyes of an American who arrived at the port of Dover some 20 years earlier, fell in love with England & it's people, decided to stay, met his wife and had 2 daughters and lived in several parts of the UK. Now he does write about his England & places so affectionately - even though he does not praise all places - but he says so in a way you happily accept and tend to agree with. The only thing about this book is that it was published in 1996, so it is some 13 years old now, and I'm sure much more has probably changed since. Joe Bennett's book is as recent as 2006 but depicted through the eyes of a critical British Expat who loves his life in New Zealand.......I think I know who's view of England I prefer

Anyway, just wanted to share my opinions and hopefully, many more will say what they thought of these books.

Ruby x

islandergirl

Glad to hear you enjoyed Bill Ruby, he is a real fave of mine, I love his stuff and would suggest reading some of his other books about his European travels, there is some great laughs to be had with them as well.

He comes across as genuinely loving the UK but not in a rose tinted way, and pokes a lot of fun at Brits in a very affectionate way.

dunroving

You can add me to the Bill Bryson fan club. His books about the US are similarly affectionate and full of many laughs and insights into the US psyche.

SarahInTX

Me too. I've read most of his books -- most recently Down Under, Shakespeare, and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. (When first I got back here I didn't have a telly and did a LOT of reading.)

FWIW, I *think* Notes from a Big Country is sold in the US as I'm a Stranger Here Myself and Down Under is sold as In a Sunburned Country.

As for the o.p.'s question, I had laughed and cried when I read Notes from a Small Island . . . but it was the death of one of my BILs that tipped me over the edge.

dunroving

Yes, early on I seem to recall buying one of his books at WH Smith's in Heathrow Airport. I settled in to read it as I crossed the Atlantic and very quickly got a sense of deja vu - it was one of those with a different title in the UK, and I had already read it (under a different title) in the US! Made a decent Christmas present for a fellow expat later that year, though ...