Been There, Done That, Read The Book (Neither Here Nor There - Bill Bryson)

Member Name: zoe_page_1

Product:	Neither Here Nor There - Bill Bryson
Date:	27/08/01 (147 review reads)
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„The time has come,“ the dooyooer said, „to write another book review.“

But on what? I flew out here back in June with 5 novels. Rather amazing if you consider the fact that my last time in the city required 8 books for 4 weeks. 5 for over 3 months? Impossible. I’ve already written on my favourite, and since 3 of the remaining books are classics (and hardly worth reviewing if I’m the one doing the writing) that only leaves this one. I’ve read all of Bryson’s books aside from „Down Under“ and this is not my favourite („Mother Tongue“ is) but it’s still an enjoyable read. I had read this one before but brought it with me since it’s his only continental Europe one.

Bryson manages to fit in 14 countries (15 if you count Liechtenstein which you shouldn’t - apologies to any Lichtensteiniens out there....) Anyway going to 14 countries one after another whilst only being able to speak one language is no mean feat, especially if you’re an American tourist. This summer I’ve begun to realise just how much they are detested. Universally. Except maybe in the USA itself.

Once more I digress, so back to the topic in hand. From Hammerfest to Istanbul Bryson explores the continent so many of us call home. In his wonderfully witty and fabulously funny style he invites us along on his journey so we too can ogle the way the Italians park,

“the way I would park if I had just spilt a beaker of hydrochloric acid on my lap”

wonder at the names of some of the towns in Switzerland which,

“sound like someone talking with a mouthful of bread: Thun, Leuk, Pfäffikon, Gstaad”

and be amazed at the, ahem, naked bed top wrestling that certain people in Amsterdam engage in.

My favourite part of the book, though, has to be the references to places I’ve been. Thought Köln cathedral was too t
all to climb, did you Bill? Did it when I was 6 years old, all 323 (or however many it was) steps of it. Found the Mona Lisa disappointing and the Centre Pompidou, well, odd, huh? Spot on. Milan was far too industrialised and not Italian enough? I agree. Got fed up with the Mozart Kügeln in Salzburg and Vienna did you? Us too (and a question, does anyone but the things? Or do they just sit there forever surrounded by signs claiming “4+1” which you are supposed to interpret as “5 for the price of 4”?). Says Bryson about life in non-English speaking Europe,

“you can’t even reliably cross a street without endangering your life”

So true. Here a little green man isn’t a sign that it’s your turn to cross. It’s an indication that cars turning onto your road are allowed to proceed, and you might manage to scoot across but chances are you won’t.

As with most of Bryson’s books, this one is very well written. It’s ideal for everyone. Travellers can relive their journeys and non-travellers can read his adventures and pretend they’ve been there themselves. How much more knowledgeable you’ll appear at dinner parties when the conversation turns to the thieving gypsies of Florence or the suicidal taxi drivers in Belgrade. Because as we all know, it inevitably always does.



Neither Here Nor There

Bill Bryson

6.99

ISBN 0-552-99806-0

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