The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain

Questions About The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain

by Bill Bryson

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Answered Questions (9)

I loved your new endeavor, but what the hell is Little Dribbling?
BlackOxford Little Dribbling is a parody of 'Little Gidding', one of the poems of the Four Quartets of T. S. Eliot who, like Bryson, was Anglo-American. Several o…moreLittle Dribbling is a parody of 'Little Gidding', one of the poems of the Four Quartets of T. S. Eliot who, like Bryson, was Anglo-American. Several of the themes of Little Gidding - the effects of time, lost communities, the remarkable and fortuitous survival of Britain during World War II (it was written just after the Battle of Britain) - show up in Bryson.(less)
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Is it required that I read Notes From A Small Island first?
Brendan No, it is not necessary to read it. It is an observational tour through Great Britain in Bryson's inimitable style. I did think that he came across as…moreNo, it is not necessary to read it. It is an observational tour through Great Britain in Bryson's inimitable style. I did think that he came across as an old curmudgeon. He also was not happy with the progress that has occurred in Britain in the pat 30 years, rightfully focusing on some of the problems that arise in struggling cities, increased traffic and modern life. However, he clearly speaks from the position of a "have" and not a "have not". I do find his appreciation for the quirky and for the forgotten who have contributed greatly to society to be eminently readable and interesting as well.(less)
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Am I the only one that found this book too snarky and felt Bill was just filling pages with ho hum observations because he had a book contract?
Mike Bygrave No, you're not the only one. This book felt like he was treading water.…moreNo, you're not the only one. This book felt like he was treading water.(less)
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For reasons that I don't understand myself, I have been going back and forth between the ebook and audio book editions of this, depending on whether I happen to be in the car. When I compare the two, it seems that on almost every page there are differences in the text. Some of the changes may be between US and UK versions, but most of them are puzzling. What's up with this?
AFMasten I noticed the same thing. I think it may also have been the reader editing as he went along.
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Does anyone else have trouble believing his stories? An inmate from an asylum is known to react with verbal abuse if spoken to. He enters a bookstore alone, is asked by an employee if she can be of assistance, he calls her a slutty bitch. The asylum is ok with this? Seems they would be in legal jeopardy if this got physical. Bryson is boring, and I don't believe either this story or many others.
Karen I have worked in a US state hospital facility for over 20 years and this literary nugget wasn't unbelievable to me. While current and recent care for …moreI have worked in a US state hospital facility for over 20 years and this literary nugget wasn't unbelievable to me. While current and recent care for the mentally ill would likely be more litigious and limit interaction with the public, Mr. Bryson was harkening back to mental health care in Britain in the 1970s. Even in my tenure here, I remember patients crossing the street to buy cough syrup ( with alcohol) at a small pharmacy, returning to sit on the hillside, drinking, smoking and waving at passing cars. We have gates now and are a double locked facility with no smoking and certainly no wandering off campus.

I'm sure the author embellished some of his anecdotes and I hope he isn't as rude and crotchety as he presented.(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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