Title: I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away
Author: Bill Bryson
First published January 1, 1998
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780767903820 (ISBN10: 076790382X)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
Bill Bryson, a seasoned writer, had been living in Britain for twenty years before returning to his American roots with his English wife and four children. As he settled into the new and improved America, he discovered interesting quirks such as microwave pancakes, twenty-four-hour dental-floss hotlines, and the widespread belief that ice is not a luxury item.
In his signature style, Bryson uses humor to recount his disconcerting reunion with his birthplace in I’m a Stranger Here Myself. The book is a hilarious tale of one man’s attempt to reconnect with his country, while also serving as a love letter to the nation he had been away from for decades.
About the Author
Meet Bill Bryson – a famous American author who was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1951. After working as a journalist for some time, he moved to England in 1977 and eventually became a full-time writer.
For many years, he lived with his English wife and four children in North Yorkshire before moving to New Hampshire in America for a few years. However, he and his family have now returned to the UK.
Bryson is well-known for his humorous travel books such as “The Lost Continent” which chronicles his trip around small town America in his mother’s Chevy, and “Neither Here Nor There” which tells the story of his first trip around Europe. He also wrote “Notes from a Small Island” which was hugely popular and won the 2003 World Book Day National Poll, followed by “The Road to Little Dribbling” which features his travel companion, Stephen Katz.
Aside from travel writing, Bryson has also written several highly regarded books on the English language, including “Mother Tongue” and “Made in America”. In his latest book, “The Body: A Guide for Occupants”, he delves into the world of science, which has been well-received by critics and readers alike.
Coming up next, Bryson’s memoir “The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” is set to be published on October 8th. The book focuses on his experience growing up in 1950s America and features a cameo from his old friend, Stephen Katz.
Editoral Review
Bill Bryson’s I’m a Stranger Here Myself is a witty and entertaining collection of essays that chronicles the author’s return to America after living abroad for two decades. Originally published in 1998, this book offers a unique perspective on American culture and society, as seen through the eyes of an expatriate who has become a stranger in his own country.
Bryson is a prolific travel writer and humorist, best known for his books A Walk in the Woods and Notes from a Small Island. I’m a Stranger Here Myself follows in the same vein, with Bryson’s trademark wit and observational humor on full display.
The book is organized into short chapters, each one focusing on a particular aspect of American life that Bryson finds baffling, amusing, or just plain weird.
The first chapter, “Coming Home,” sets the stage for the rest of the book, as Bryson describes his initial impressions upon returning to the United States. He is struck by the sheer size and scale of everything, from the cars to the supermarkets to the houses.
He is also amused by the peculiarities of American English, such as the use of “restroom” instead of “toilet” and the ubiquitous “have a nice day.”
Throughout the book, Bryson tackles a wide range of topics, from the quirks of American driving culture to the excesses of the American diet to the absurdities of American politics. He also reflects on his own experiences as an expat, and how living abroad has changed his perspective on his home country.
One of the strengths of the book is Bryson’s ability to combine humor with insight. He is a keen observer of human nature, and his observations about American culture are often spot-on.
He also has a gift for storytelling, and many of the anecdotes he shares are genuinely funny.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some of the chapters feel a bit repetitive, and the humor can sometimes feel forced or overly self-conscious.
Additionally, some readers may find Bryson’s tone a bit smug or condescending at times.
Overall, I’m a Stranger Here Myself is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. It offers a unique perspective on American culture and society, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt like a stranger in their own country.
While it may not be Bryson’s strongest work, it is still a worthwhile addition to his oeuvre.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
