Title: The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America
Author: Bill Bryson
First published August 1, 1989
299 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060920081 (ISBN10: 0060920084)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Growing up in Des Moines, Bill Bryson always felt a sense of wanderlust. After spending a decade in England, he returned to America with a mission: to find the idyllic small town he had always dreamed of.
But what he found instead was a nation plagued by conformity, commercialism, and environmental decay. In a journey that took him through 38 states, Bryson discovered the heartbreaking reality of a country he no longer recognized as his own.
The Lost Continent is a witty and poignant masterpiece of travel writing that solidified Bryson’s place as one of the greatest authors of his time.
About the Author
Bill Bryson, born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1951, settled in England in 1977 and eventually became a full-time writer after working in journalism. He lived in North Yorkshire with his English wife and four children for many years before moving to America’s New Hampshire for a brief period.
Now, he and his family have returned to the UK.
Bryson’s first travel book, a humorous account of a trip around small-town America in his mother’s Chevy, was followed by an exploration of his first trip around Europe. He has written several other travel books including the best-selling “Notes from a Small Island,” which won the World Book Day National Poll in 2003.
He revisits his travel companion Stephen Katz from his previous book in “The Lost Continent” and “A Walk in the Woods.”
In addition to his travel writing, Bryson has written highly acclaimed books on the English language, including “Mother Tongue” and “Made in America.” His last book, “A Short History of Nearly Everything,” explored science and became a bestseller, winning both the Aventis Prize for Science Books and the Descartes Science Communication Prize. His upcoming book, “The Body: A Guide for Occupants,” is a memoir about growing up in 1950s America and will feature his old friend Stephen Katz.
It is set to be published on October 8th.
Editoral Review
In his 1989 book, The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America, author Bill Bryson takes readers on an entertaining journey through the heart of America, exploring the forgotten towns and cities of Middle America. This humorous travelogue offers readers a glimpse into the struggles and successes of the small towns that make up America’s heartland.
Bryson’s writing style is witty and engaging. Readers will laugh along with him as he encounters quirky local characters, bizarre roadside attractions, and the quirks that define small-town life.
With his sharp eye for detail, Bryson creates vivid descriptions of the towns he visits, painting a picture of a bygone era that is both nostalgic and charming. The book’s central premise sees Bryson leave his adopted home in England and embark on a road trip across America, detailing his encounters with locals and discovering the hidden gems of so many small towns.
Over the course of the journey, the author makes observations about American culture and history, often offering a thought-provoking take on the issues he encounters. One of the book’s most notable strengths is its ability to shine a light on the often-overlooked facets of life in America’s small towns.
Bryson takes readers on a journey through diners, museums, and roadside oddities, highlighting the often-quirky charm and traditions that make each town unique. His humorous take on each encounter adds levity to sometimes heavy discussions of small-town life and the rise and fall of once-proud areas now forced to face economic hardship.
While the book carries plenty of humor, Bryson’s tone is often critical and reflective, encouraging readers to explore themes of economic hardship, social inequality, and racism. Though the book was written in 1989, many of the issues raised still ring true today, making this an important reflection on the country’s past and present.
The book does have a few limitations, and readers may become weary of Bryson’s tendency to belabor his points at times. Additionally, many of the characters he meets feel two-dimensional, making it difficult to empathize with them beyond their surface-level quirks and idiosyncrasies.
Overall, The Lost Continent offers an entertaining and thought-provoking journey through some of America’s often-overlooked small towns. Bryson’s ability to weave humor and reflection into each chapter makes this an ideal book for anyone interested in travel literature that offers a genuine exploration of American life, culture, and history.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in travel literature, American history or culture, and those who appreciate witty and observant writing.
