BILL BRYSON The road to little dribbling

I got this book at Gaodevi Maidan in Thane during a second-hand book fair for just 100 rupees. I didn’t know who Bill Bryson was until I heard Rohan Joshi mention him in an interview on Chalachitra Talks. He said, and I quote, “Anything from Bill Bryson, read it.” So, I picked this book based on his recommendation. In the book, Bryson talks about his life in the UK, England, and all the islands under it. While most of us know the classic London from pop culture, he takes a different route, visiting lesser-known places across the city. His writing is funny and engaging as he shares his unusual experiences and interactions with people from different walks of life. There’s also a mix of history, from Churchill to ancient stone structures, which adds depth to his narrative. It took me about a week to complete this book. I found myself reading it in bits and pieces—on the bus, near the shore, in public parks, or even in my room, lying down with a podcast playing in the background. I managed to get through 200 pages this way. However, someone later told me I should have read the first part first since this book was written 15 years after the original. This book feels like a diary, a journey, or a long conversation with a funny friend who keeps talking while you listen endlessly. But I’m not sure if I truly connected with it—maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. Two days ago, I even went to the station to meet a friend to get the first part at a cheaper price, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to it. Clearly, it’s not the book’s fault. The book was written before Brexit, but Bryson did hint at it, mentioning foreign investments and government holdings involving outside investors. Even the people in the book talked about it. It’s a good book, but I think it’s not for me. Still, I liked it in parts. Maybe I’ll have to wait for it to grow on me.