I'm a Stranger Here Myself

Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: William Roberts

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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 3 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.

©2012 Bill Bryson (P)2012 Random House Audio

Great light read

This was really fun to listen to — both because of what is being said and how it’s being said. Loved it even in 2023 even though it’s clearly a bit outdated.

Bill Bryson Exposes America's Good and Bad

Would you listen to I'm a Stranger Here Myself again? Why?

Yes, it is very funny, and he puts in words many of my same thoughts on topics like TV advertising and other strange things of American life.

What did you like best about this story?

His reading, his punch lines, his working in some history and facts that you likely didn't know, but now have at your fingertips because of his original way of describing them.

Which scene was your favorite?

The column on the missing Lear Jet, but a dozen or more touched me in special ways.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is easy to break apart as it is actually columns that appeared in a British paper, so each chapter stands along. Although they are all so interesting to me, I would have enjoyed listening to them all in one sitting. Others might not.

Any additional comments?

Bryson is a 5-Star author and also is a great reader of his own material. A really rare thing. I have listened to almost all his audio books. When he doesn't read them, the stand in reader sounds almost like him, which is a huge plus. These are books you can listen to over and over -- light enough on content, but there's enough that it leaves impressions on the listener and adds to the listeners feeling that they have "been along as a guest" on Bill's travels He had no peer that I know of in that category.

Seems like it was written in the late 1990's.

What did you like best about I'm a Stranger Here Myself? What did you like least?

I like Bill Bryson, but most of this material is too out of date. I gave up listening about half way through.
It would be helpful if Audible included the original date of publication in their descriptions.

fun and often true. a tlittle exadurated.

Bill likes to wright about the various differences in lifestyle between England and the United States. you get a kick out of agreeing with his comparisons. sometimes however he exadurates. however its that bit of bravado that can make things interesting and sport a contrast. so I liked it. however this book for me anyway is by no means groundbreaking. the usa is a great country to visit and live in. I imagine so is great Britain. no place is exactly how one would envision, I'd say because they are real places, not just ones perception.

Witty and ironic

Bryson always makes me laugh out loud with his ironic albeit sarcastic observations on life. The narrator is superb!

Hilarious! Laugh out Loud

In the wake of all this fiscal cliff drama and other continual angry political stories, it was refreshing to get a different perspective all be-it-dated; many of the issues are still relevant.
In addition the narrator had the perfect timing, which I can imagine was difficult for this type of book.

Now a bit dated…

Still funny but now, in 2022, most of the subject matter is dated, thus making the story a bit “meh”.

don't read if you need a safe space

loved it. had to write a review after reading some comments about his political stance. there might be a problem with your political party if discussing treating human beings all like equals hurts your feelings.

How strange! Not as recently written as described.

Bryson fans and strangers to Bryson alike may be misled as I was by the advertised description of these pieces as recent. Depends on how you define recent! Do not expect pithy observations on this century's catastrophes, elections, current TSA procedures, celebrity culture, and/or texting, tweeting, FBing. For instance, he writes with wonder of such artifacts as microwave pancakes. Brilliant and au courant not. Microwave pancakes are hardly a new invention. Having been to England myself this century I know High Street food shops and the big chains there sell them and have for years. A quibble? No. As it turns out, these pieces were written some time ago - decades ago? However, Bryson still amuses and William Roberts captures the quirky tone of Bill Bryson's ambling style well. Old Bryson is better than no Bryson.

Ruined by Sarcastic Narration

The words have the familiar ring of Bill Bryson's humor, but the sarcastic delivery makes them feel like an overly emotional rant. An intolerable listen. Couldn't get past the first half hour.