I wanted to like this

I've recently listened to The Gran Tour and The Marmalade Diaries. I don't enjoy Ben's narration but it was worth persevering because those books had warmth and were really engaging. This book is dull.

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stick to the book on which it's based

the authors love and respect for Bryson is clear, this books attempts at comic asides sometimes come off but in my opinion concentrates far too much on the mechanics of the journey (and in many cases the authors political and social views) rather than the joys and idiosyncrasies of the villages, towns and cities of Britain.

I think also a mistake not to employ a professional to read the script too, it's only listenable in short bursts.

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I enjoyed it

After reading The Marmalade Diaries I was keen to read another Ben Aitken book. I found this interesting and very funny . on to my 3rd now.

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No spark.

Managed to get to chapter 2 but was finding this very slow and not very amusing but as the narrator said, his writing is only funny by accident. Needs a bit more spark in the narration, the dead pan delivery was a bit dull unfortunately.

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2 people found this helpful

Not fantastic

For me personally not the best book I’ve listened to this year. Still enjoyed Bill Bryson book better.

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Just loved this book

Have to say I was unsure as “sorry Ben” Bill Bryson is not for me, far to American for my tastes but I needn’t have worried I loved this almost as much as The Gran Tour or my personal favourite The Marmalade diaries. So glad that it was also narrated by Ben himself I just don’t think it wouldn’t have been half as much fun if anyone else had read it. Personally I think the way it is read is all part of it, that dry English sense of humour is what’s required. You either get it or you don’t. It won’t speak to everyone I’m Sure, a trip around some of the less traveled towns and cities of the Uk that should only be visited by travelling salesmen I guess like it’s humour is a very British thing but I will definitely be looking out for more written and narrated by this Author and if he makes it onto the small screen I really would love to see The Marmalade diaries as a TV series.

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1 person found this helpful

I reckon Bill would enjoy it

Ben takes a while to get into his narration, but once he does, his emotions can be heard in his retelling of the stories of his visits, just as Bryson does. The emphasis on political views took me out of the narrative too often. Still, an enjoyable audiobook, and, as a love letter to Bill, is very good.

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poor

just too keen to get across his political and social standing at every chance possible,

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Poor

Poor man’s copy of Bill Bryson. This is also peppered with lefty observations. Boring. Basically like a Guardian version of Bill Bryson book.

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Monotone and forgettable

The narrator is monotone in delivery and failed to engage me after a few chapters. No real story other than copying Bill.

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