BOOK #10 - I was starting to become a bit of a Brysonphile, but this book read like Andy Rooney on a day when he really had nothing interesting to complain about. Yes, the line you’re standing in is always the slowest line. And it’s silly that shampoo has instructions on it. Also, grumpy old white guys always notice these things and think they’re somehow geniuses for saying them out loud.
Back to the woods, Bill Bryson!
Completely agree. Bryson is my favorite writer and I’ve enjoyed almost all of his work, but this one struck me as decidely negative and very un-funny. I get why he was so down on the “new” America he returned to after 20 years - leaving before shopping malls and coming back after then must have been depressing - but I still found it very sour. My other theory is that he wrote this for his British readers to feel better about being quainter. If you’re looking for a good nerd read from Bryson, get “Made in America.” One of my favorites.
