Neither Here Nor There

Abridged
Author: Bill Bryson
Narrator: Bill Bryson
Genres: Biographies
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: October 2007
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4/5
Formats:
  • CD

Suggested Titles

Overview

Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies -- in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales. Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies--in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales.

Selected Reviews

Neither Here Nor There

by Beverly Mausbach
  • Book Rating: 4/5

not his best, but still very good

by KD
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 7

Reviews (7)

Neither Here Nor There

Written by Beverly Mausbach on April 10th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This was entertaining to listen to. Not as great as "A Walk in the Woods" which in my mind is his best, but still up there. I like that he reads his own material --- I could almost "hear" the smile in his voice as he read through certain passages.

not his best, but still very good

Written by KD on March 25th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

While I enjoyed this book, it was not Bill Bryson's best. It had a few laugh-out-loud moments and the usual odd observations that make his travels so interesting. It's worth a listen, but if someone asked me for a great book, I'd point them to "A Walk in the Woods" first.

Can't Wait to Pack My Bags!

Written by Orville Amazor from , on September 17th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I agree with all the others: Bill Bryson is simply the best! His adventures are fun to listen to, his observations are witty, and his speaking voice makes you want to accompany him on his journeys just to hear him remark on everything he does. Like in "Walk in the Woods", his tales are best when they include Stephen Katz, who ought to be required to travel with Bryson whenever and wherever he goes! Fun fun fun... now go call your travel agent, inspiration doesn't come any better than this!

oddly sexual

Written by Chris Hedstrom on August 14th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

This one was better than "Notes from a small Island" but not as funny as "walk in the woods" or "in a sunburned country." Still, I laughed out loud a couple of times and it held my interest, unlike notes. What I found most strange though, is how much more he talked about sex and sexual themes in this book compared to his others. Maybe that has to do with the culture he was traveling in, but mostly it's not refrences to the locations, but odd fantasies, such as travel agents, or nurses in starched uniforms tending to injuries. A little gross. I would recommend Sunburned Country or Walk in the Woods over this one, if you are new to Bryson.

Funny and informative

Written by Anonymous from , on July 5th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

As always, Bryson delivers. His humorous account of a hectic trip through Europe is sprinkled with fascinating information and side-splitting personal anecdotes. He is so easy to relate to and such a pleasure to hear. His books shine.

Cheers Bill Bryson!!

Written by Anonymous on July 1st, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I love his humor, and his dry wit. He would be the perfect travel companion, adventuresome enough to try new things and funny enough to keep me laughing. I would go anywhere with him!!

Neither Here Nor There (abr)

Written by Anonymous on January 5th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Wow! I really enjoyed the adventure & feel like I just got back from my travels through Europe!

Selected Reviews

Neither Here Nor There

by Beverly Mausbach
  • Book Rating: 4/5

not his best, but still very good

by KD
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 7

Author Details

Author Details

Bryson, Bill

"Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. A backpacking expedition in 1973 brought him to England where he met his wife and decided to settle. He wrote for the English newspapers The Times and The Independent for many years, writing travel articles to supplement his income. He lived with his family in North Yorkshire before moving back to the States in 1995, to Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and four children. In 2003 he and his family moved back to England, where they currently reside.

The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson's hilarious first travel book, chronicles a trip in his mother's Chevy around small town America. Since then, he has written several more about the UK and the US, including notable bestsellers, A Walk in the Woods, I'm A Stranger Here Myself (published in Britain as Notes from a Big Country), and In a Sunburned Country (published in Britain as Down Under).

His other books include Bill Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words, Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe, Made in America, The Mother Tongue and Bill Bryson's African Diary. His latest book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, was published in Spring 2003."