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cover
4.5 

Title: At Home: A Short History of Private Life
Authors: Bryson, Bill
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 700
Year: 2010
Language: English
Description: Join Bill Bryson as he meanders from room to room in his Norfolk rectory reflecting on the history of each room and its contents. From bedbugs and dining etiquette, to sewerage and the advent of electricity, the fabric of daily life past and present is brought into focus. With its meticulous research, insatiable curiosity and engaging humour, 'At Home' delivers a fascinating social history of domestic life leaving no corner unexplored or dust mite undisturbed. [Big read}

Comments from Groups:

Generally interesting in small doses. Wellington 104

Enjoyed by all, easy to read if you "skip and dip". An overload of information. Diamond Harbour 1

Many of us will buy our own copies so partners, parents and children can read it - favourite of the year. Wellington 18

What a simply marvellous journey Bill Bryson takes us on. This was an incredibly interesting, vibrant and enlightening book. Well recommended. Wellington 41

Mixed feelings from "enjoyed" to "got sick of it". Liked the light style of writing. Levin 1

Categories: Non fiction, Big reads, Historical, Humour, Social commentary/perspectives, Blind Low Vision library

Reviews

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By: WAIPUK 001 2022-02-16 13:09:50
4.5 
Very lively discussion - most people love Bill Bryson. Many thought it would be a good book to own, and dip into every now and then! Would definitely recommend it. Very entertaining.

By: CHCH 176 2021-02-22 11:24:11
4 
Overall the group enjoyed the fascinating accounts of the history of domestic life, recalled with wit and intellect.

By: AKAR 001 2021-02-22 11:22:25
4 
A 4 star read. So many facts and interesting stories - so many that we lost track of some of them. Some thought it was too long, more of a dip in and out book. The format didn't bother us, but didn't make it a more inviting read. Some parts - especially the care of mothers and babies, upset some of us.

By: WELL 016 2019-12-12 14:20:18
4 
Most people found this a good book to dip into rather than read from cover to cover, but we all enjoyed Bryson's breadth of knowledge, and fascinating, amusing detail.

By: BREAM 001 2019-12-12 14:18:20
4 
Varying opinions on the book. Generally everyone approved of it, but for some, there was too much factual information. A good book to have on the bookshelf that you can go back to, and read sporadically.

By: HAMIL 034 2019-12-12 14:16:18
3 
Mixed responses to this book. Those of us who are "into" history enjoyed the timeline of events, and felt it was a good book to have in our library, but only to "dip into" for information. Too much description and detail for some members. Not overall a favourite!

By: WANG 005 2019-12-12 14:13:56
4.5 
We had a lively discussion on this book. We all loved Bryson's powers of observation and detailed storytelling. His way with words is delightful, as he weaves humour in wonderfully. A great book to have ready for the next trivia quiz!

By: GREYT 001 2019-12-12 14:12:15
4.5 
All enjoyed this book immensely. Interesting how each member had a different aspect of the book they were keen to discuss.

By: ASHB 024 2019-12-12 14:10:47
4.5 
We were very impressed by the research, and we learned a great many interesting facts. Not everyone finished the book, but everyone found something of interest from reading this book, and the general discussion was wide and animated.

By: CHCH 060 2019-12-12 14:08:35
4.5 
We all really enjoyed this book. So much information about things which shaped our world.

 
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