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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.

Average Customer Rating:

Grouchily amusing.

Customer Rating:

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.

Another Bryson complaint

Customer Rating:

I've now read all of Bill Bryson's past and current work, and Neither Here nor There, with a few exceptional stories wasn't one of his best works. This seemed to be a revisiting of places he had seen much earlier, and was pretty negative on most locations in Europe since much had changed, gone down hill, or been replaced by new buildings or vistas since he had been there the first time. He tried to "go home again", but it didn't work out well, at least for him. Still, he does describe some interesting places and provides tips on the pleasant ones. This is a "maybe" selection.

A bit of a downer

Customer Rating:

While I enjoyed this book, I couldn't help but feel a bit depressed after reading it. Having been to Europe a couple of times in the past 25 years (once on a "Grand Tour" in my 20's (in the 1980's) and the other a couple of weeks in Ireland and England-in my 40's), I wanted so much to enjoy this book and hopefully find some things I could relate to from my Grand Tour of Europe (both of my trips were wonderful BTW). What I came away with is what maybe happens too many times when travelling. Mr. Bryson's trip looked better on paper than the actual vacation ended up being. Mr. Bryson was consistently "let down" by not only the cities and towns he visited (which seemed to be consistently dirty) but also by the Europeans themselves (who were inevitably unfriendly...in most cases). If I had never been to Europe, this book would not give me any inspiration whatsoever to visit there. In fact, I'd want to stay as far away as possible. Who would want to visit filthy cities and deal with dour individuals when you're paying good money to be there and helping to infuse their economies. In country after country this happened to him. I would like to think that we don't treat tourists that way in America...at least I hope not. Of course, it's always been my opinion (and my experience in Europe) that the Europeans have always felt superior (but it's never detracted from my good memories of my trips), but that's another story for another time. Anyway, the book just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Don't get me wrong, I laughed out loud (and quite hysterically) many times while reading it, but in the end I don't feel better for having read it (I did learn some interesting tidbits about some of the countries he visited though). It just surprised and disappointed me that he encountered SO many miserable people in so many different countries during such a short period of time. I suppose it's not his fault that it was what it was... maybe the 90's were just that way though....here's hoping things have changed.

Should be called "Eurpoean Tales of a Bloated Gasbag"

Customer Rating:

Why did Mr. Bryson write this book? Was it to discourage people from traveling in Europe? He is disappointed at every stop he makes - perhaps had he planned a little better, that would not have been the case. In addition, Mr. Bryson forgets that he is a tourist and that people actually live their lives in the places he visits - they do not live there to accomodate tourists or Mr. Bryson. Do yourself a favor - don't buy this book.

Neither Funny Nor Informative

Customer Rating:

From reading the numerous glowing reviews, I guess it is just me. I was bored silly with Bryson's "Neither Here Nor There," and after just 70 pages ended up skimming the rest to see if it got better. It didn't and I cut my losses and gave up. Normally I like books by humorists, but Mr. Bryson's humor seems labored and deliberate; basically he hits you over the head with his cliche'd descriptions. I found some of his experiences unbelievable and perhaps he asked for some of the treatment by his manner, attitude, who knows? I have read Dave Barry and howled, David Sedaris and doubled over trying not to embarrass myself in public by screaming with laughter. Mr. Bryson is not my type of humorist. I guess my impression of this book is that he took a trip back, with a chip on his shoulder and really didn't enjoy it at all. Why are we supposed to???