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I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away Audible Audiobook – Abridged

Bill Bryson (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,771 ratings
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A classic from the New York Times best-selling author of A Walk in the Woods and The Body.

After living in Britain for two decades, Bill Bryson recently moved back to the United States with his English wife and four children (he had read somewhere that nearly three million Americans believed they had been abducted by aliens - as he later put it, "it was clear my people needed me"). They were greeted by a new and improved America that boasts microwave pancakes, 24-hour dental-floss hotlines, and the staunch conviction that ice is not a luxury item.

Delivering the brilliant comic musings that are a Bryson hallmark, I'm a Stranger Here Myself recounts his sometimes disconcerting reunion with the land of his birth. The result is a book filled with hysterical scenes of one man's attempt to reacquaint himself with his own country, but it is also an extended if at times bemused love letter to the homeland he has returned to after 20 years away.

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  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 54 minutes
  2. Author
    Bill Bryson
  3. Narrator
    Bill Bryson
  4. Audible release date
    December 15, 1999
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B00005453A
  8. Version
    Abridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 54 minutes
Author Bill Bryson
Narrator Bill Bryson
Audible.com Release Date December 15, 1999
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Abridged
Language English
ASIN B00005453A
Best Sellers Rank #98,314 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#263 in Travel Writing & Commentary
#296 in Biographies of Authors
#854 in Humor Essays (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,771 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book humorous with amusing observations and self-deprecating humor. They enjoy reading it and find it entertaining. The author's insights into human nature are appreciated, adding subtle nuances to the storytelling. Readers describe the book as readable, pleasant, and well-written. They appreciate the short chapters that stand on their own. However, some feel the content is dated, especially the last few chapters.

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Select to learn more
HumorEnjoymentInsightReadabilityAuthor qualityShort chaptersDated content
150 customers mention "Humor"148 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it funny and poignant, with amusing observations and self-deprecating humor. The prose is well-written and leaves them smiling. The book is highly entertaining and engaging, with an enjoyable narration.

"...Sometimes the humor was good, sometimes overdone. The whole book seemed dated like ten to twenty years or more...." Read more

"Bill Bryson’s memoir is a best of collection of columns that are very funny. My disclaimer: this is for the older crowd...." Read more

"...You will see this country with fresh eyes and humor. Each chapter stands alone so this is a great book to pick and put down...." Read more

"...His descriptions are evocative and his prose is gut-wrenchingly funny...." Read more

80 customers mention "Enjoyment"80 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining and worth their time. The author's deadpan delivery about everyday life is appreciated.

"...to see the ridiculousness in almost any situation make for a delightful read. I would recommend this collection to anyone!" Read more

"...-patriot myself, who only makes occasional trips to the states, I enjoyed the book and found myself sharing many of his experiences on how the..." Read more

"Bill Bryson is an excellent writer. Of all his numerous books that I have read, this is my favorite. I have purchased more than one copy as a gift...." Read more

"...This book (I'm a Stranger Here Myself) was very enjoyable until he decided to cut into Americans who oppose illegal immigration, own a gun, or..." Read more

70 customers mention "Insight"66 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the author's insights into human nature and subtle nuances in storytelling. They find the short stories and notes about life entertaining, with many moments of laughter. Readers appreciate the accurate view on American and English culture, as well as the descriptions that are evocative and humorous. Overall, they describe the book as an enjoyable read packed with information and a great perspective.

"...What I liked so much is the off the beaten path topics & would never have expected an article in praise of one of the most accomplished presidents..." Read more

"...The stories were very funny" Read more

"Bill Bryson is a great travel writer. His descriptions are evocative and his prose is gut-wrenchingly funny...." Read more

"...as his voice and metric is not only pleasant, but adds subtle nuances to the storytelling...." Read more

61 customers mention "Readability"47 positive14 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable. They praise the well-written and easy-to-digest essays. The writing style is described as factual and insightful, making it a quick read.

"Bill Bryson is an excellent writer. Of all his numerous books that I have read, this is my favorite. I have purchased more than one copy as a gift...." Read more

"...collection of short (2-4 page) newspaper columns, it's particularly easy to read...." Read more

"Another well written, interesting and funny book by Bill Bryson. His observation skills are fantastic and a book I absolutely will recommend...." Read more

"This is an ok book, but some parts of it are just too whiny...." Read more

26 customers mention "Author quality"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's writing style. They find the book a collection of humorous essays and commentaries on daily American life. Readers appreciate the author's self-deprecating humor and consider it a unique read for those interested in living in another country.

"Quite a unique read for one to compare living in another country and returning years later. Sometimes the humor was good, sometimes overdone...." Read more

"Bill Bryson’s memoir is a best of collection of columns that are very funny. My disclaimer: this is for the older crowd...." Read more

"This book is a compilation of articles, or at least it reads that way...." Read more

"...Loved the commencement address." Read more

9 customers mention "Short chapters"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has short chapters that are easy to read at bedtime or on a subway ride. They appreciate that each chapter stands on its own, making it easy to return to the book without losing pages.

"i liked that there were very short chapters that you could at bedtime. The stories were very funny" Read more

"...A delightful read, and I like his short chapters, so that it is easy to pick up and read a chapter here or there. A fun book." Read more

"...The chapters are very short, and are columns that Bryson wrote for an English newspaper after living in the U.K. for some 20 years...." Read more

"...newspaper, this book is a compilation of Bryson's columns, so they are short and to the point...." Read more

23 customers mention "Dated content"6 positive17 negative

Customers find the content dated and not up to date. They feel it lacks the mix of historical depth and humor that Bryson's longer works have.

"...A bit dated, was quite obviously written in the late 90' (computers, Y2K panic), but mostly still quite relevant. Loved the commencement address." Read more

"...Only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because it is no longer quite up to date..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the retro take on US life and products, and this should be at least enough fun for those of us of the older set...." Read more

"...It gets old fast. I love his other books, but this just read as the tirades of a middle-aged man being nostalgic for a simpler + better time." Read more

Another hit by Bryson
5 out of 5 stars
Another hit by Bryson
Bill is a great story teller. In this book he spins a wonderful tale about what it is like to return to the United States after having lived many years in England. He sees things that we take for granted.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • ninamarina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing, hilarious tales
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As a Brit transplanted to the States many years ago I don't know when I have enjoyed a book more! I laughed til I cried at some of the stories and was utterly charmed by the rest. Bill Britain's self effacing wit and the ability to see the ridiculousness in almost any situation make for a delightful read. I would recommend this collection to anyone!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars I'm a stranger here myself
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Quite a unique read for one to compare living in another country and returning years later. Sometimes the humor was good, sometimes overdone. The whole book seemed dated like ten to twenty years or more. We have evolved much since it was written.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J. Rodeck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Off the beaten path topics :)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Bill Bryson’s memoir is a best of collection of columns that are very funny. My disclaimer: this is for the older crowd. So many of the nostalgic topics are about motels, diners, the corner drug store . . . IOW the days before franchises took over everything. And since this book was written 24 years ago, younger readers simply won’t be familiar with many of the references.

    What I liked so much is the off the beaten path topics & would never have expected an article in praise of one of the most accomplished presidents in US history: Herbert Hoover! And this from a flaming liberal!

    A- Easy reading
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Carol A. Baugh
    5.0 out of 5 stars I am a stranger here myself
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    i liked that there were very short chapters that you could at bedtime. The stories were very funny
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  • Jeffrey Miller
    3.0 out of 5 stars A funny, entertaining view of the US, but many things have changed since the 90s..
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Being an ex-patriot myself, who only makes occasional trips to the states, I enjoyed the book and found myself sharing many of his experiences on how the United States has changed. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been shorter. I'm also a Cubs fan and I wondered what he thought of the 2016 Cubs.
    One person found this helpful
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  • doodle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not his best
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've read just about everything Bryson has written. It's all good. This is not good as the rest. (I need two more words for the review to be accepted. Here are 11 more.)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Narcoossee gal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious writing
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Bill Bryson is an excellent writer. Of all his numerous books that I have read, this is my favorite. I have purchased more than one copy as a gift. On my initial reading, I laughed out loud more than once on an airplane ride. Having spent many years in England, Bryson writes about his return to his native United States. He finds many of the customs in the US curious and puzzling. You will see this country with fresh eyes and humor. Each chapter stands alone so this is a great book to pick and put down. I loved reading it all in one sitting because once I was tickled by his humor, I could not bear to stop.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • mercat37
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Bill Bryson is a great travel writer. His descriptions are evocative and his prose is gut-wrenchingly funny. In fact, I don't read his books in public because I usually wind up crying from laughter. This one, the first of his books that I read, is a classic. Bryson details his readjustment to American culture after 20 years in England, and offers a number of hilarious insights about life in both countries - and about his unfailing ability to poke fun at any situation. Because it's basically a collection of short (2-4 page) newspaper columns, it's particularly easy to read. You can also take a break without losing the narrative flow - there really isn't one. When you're done with this one, hopefully having decided you love Bill Bryson as much as I do, move on to two of his best works: A Walk in the Woods, about his adventures on the Appalachian Trial, and In a Sunburned Country, about the wilds of Australia.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • B.A. Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Notes From a Big Country
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Buyer beware!! This is the US version of his book Notes from a Big Country. Still a great book and this one has added information for American readers when he talks about things British, and less explanation of things an American would be well aware of. So not EXACTLY the same but so close it makes no difference
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  • M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr unterhaltsam
    Reviewed in Germany on December 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Bill Bryson zieht nach vielen Jahren in Großbritannien zurück in die Heimat. Mit viel Humor schreibt er wöchentliche Kolumnen über die alltäglichen Kuriositäten als Rückkehrer in die USA. Diese Kolumnen bilden die einzelnen Kapitel dieses Buches.

    Das Buch ist zwar schon einige Jahre alt, aber immer noch herrlich unterhaltend. Als USA-Liebhaber, der schon oft „drüben“ war, erkennt man viele Situationen wieder. Schöne Urlaubslektüre! Absolut empfehlenswert.
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  • Sharon Trottier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great author
    Reviewed in Canada on June 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love anything by Bill Bryson. I hope he has a few more books left in him!
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  • Maria Mateus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Texto divertido e informativo
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Através da sua forma divertida (e irreverente) de escrever, Bryson nos fornece informações valiosas sobre os hábitos e o jeito de pensar do povo americano, o que faz esse livro ser tão bom quanto "Notes From a Small Island".
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  • Katacroken
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
    Reviewed in Spain on February 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A humorous and funny book. Bryson tells about the US, customs and habbits they have through its own experience, when, after living in Britain for a long time he decided to moved back there.
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