Dear Bill Bryson

Footnotes from a Small Island

By: Ben Aitken

Narrated by: Ben Aitken

An irreverent homage to the '95 travel classic, from the author of The Gran Tour

In 2013, travel writer Ben Aitken decided to follow in the footsteps of his hero - literally - and started a journey around the UK, tracing the trip taken by Bill Bryon in his classic tribute to the British Isles, Notes from a Small Island.

Staying at the same hotels, ordering the same food, and even spending the same amount of time in the bath, Aitken's homage - updated and with a new preface for 2022 - is filled with wit, insight and humour.

'It would be wrong to view this book as just a highly accomplished homage to a personal hero. Aitken's politics, as much as his humour, are firmly in the spotlight, and Dear Bill Bryson achieves more than its title (possibly even its author) intended.' Manchester Review

©2022 Ben Aitken (P)2022 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"It would be wrong to view this book as just a highly accomplished homage to a personal hero. Aitken's politics, as much as his humour, are firmly in the spotlight, and Dear Bill Bryson achieves more than its title (possibly even its author) intended." (Manchester Review)

Very nicely done!

I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to read (listen to) more books from Ben.

Liked it actually

After getting used to the writer’s quirky humour, it is really interesting and a nice overview of UK. Natives will understand more but good for non natives as well

A Grand Triumph

This book makes me want to go back, across the pond, and visit the UK, again. Aitken goes beyond the famous, phone boxes, and the double-decker buses, to weave an account that may inspire one, to, also, follow, in Bryson's footsteps.

Narration distracts from content

The intent was intriguing. I was curious to see what a later journey discovered that was same and different from Bryson's original. However Aitken's speech rhythm, dropping down at the end of each sentence becomes dreary. He does seem depressed by much of his travels. Even enthusiastic reviews have the same down tone. I gave up about two thirds through .

Nope

I love Bill Bryson’s work; I did NOT love this. While Bryson writes with wit, charm and a sparkle, Aitken comes across as pretentious, negative and easily disappointed by anything and everything. His narration doesn’t make up for it as he delivers a lifeless performance that seems to emphasize his negativity. If you like Bryson, give this a miss.