In a Sunburned Country

Posted at June 15, 2009

Description

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestseller A Walk in the Woods. In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place: Australia, the country that doubles as a continent, and a place with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet. The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiousity.

Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. Wherever he goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging, and these beaming products of land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine fill the pages of this wonderful book. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide.

Customer Reviews:

A new Bill Bryson book is always a treat of the highest magnitude. I preordered this book and counted down the days until its arrival. This book was as wonderful as his previous efforts, in fact, maybe even more so because it hit so close to home. As a former Sydney gal, I miss my homeland and Mr. Bryson reminded me of why. they takes the reader on a journey that most people (including most Aussies) would never go on; Australians tend to travel abroad before exploring their own country. I think somebody who reads this book will want to actually travel to this beautiful country and explore its riches. The reader will discover that there’s more to Australia than Kangaroos and Foster’s Beer (which no self-respecting Aussie would ever drink.) The author introduces us to the colorful locals and explains in painful, yet hilarious detail, how they gets from place to place. they has toned down the sarcasm for this book, and four gets the impression that they likes the place darn much. This book won’t disappoint fans of his previous books. Thank you, Mr. Bryson, for writing a humorous, yet flattering book about the most under-appreciated country on the planet!

This is the first Bill Bryson book that I read. once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. It was so funny that I would laugh out loud. It was interesting to read about someone’s travels but not in a traditional manner. Sounds like Bill would make for a great travel companion. I’ve read a quantity of his other books since then, but this remains my favorite.

I can honestly say that I couldn’t put this book down. It is a great read, full of typical Brysonesque humour that left me giggling like an idiot at the most inopportune times (train, bus, etc). Bill obviously loves Australia & initially was strangely complimentary to the land down under (Call me suspicious but I though maybe the Aussie edition was watered down). However after covering enormous distances in difficult conditions whilst fending off a multitude of dangerous creatures, Bill finally warmed to the task of ‘taking the mickey’out of the locals and local events (e.g. sheep shagging. Hey Bill I don’t knock your hobbies! ). This is a fun book and well worth buying. Grab a copy before they’re all gone.

I took this book with me on a recent trip to Central america and absolutely loved it. While there’s less narrative flow than, say, A Walk in the Woods, reading Bryson’s thoughts on Sydney harbor, Australian-rules football, former Prime Minister Harold Holt (peace be on him), forever walking through Canberra, and his near run-in’s with a seemingly countless list of nasty (and apparently deadly) native animals was engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. they does this all the while encountering some terrific and endearing folks, drinking lots of Victorian Bitters, and relaying an impressive and affectionate recounting of Australian history. There is a lot to like here. So much so that on finishing the book while still in Central the united states, and realizing that I committed the unpardonable sin of only bringing four book with me to read (you try finding a decent bookstore in Central America), I turned to the first chapter and started all over again. And it was equally engrossing, witty, and informative if not more-so. I can think of no higher compliment for a book and I recommend it whole-heartedly.

I bought this book in England, at the airport, for something to read on the way home. Having travelled to Australia a few years ago, I thought it would be lovely to read someone else’s impressions of the country. I loved it! Some parts had me laughing out loud so hard I was crying (which i am sure the flight attendants thought strange) while insights about the treatment of the Aborigines inspired some serious reflection. This is not a ‘how-to’ guide for planning a trip to Oz, but it is wonderful at giving gut reactions, background information and history, as well as the pure, honest emotions involved in traveling somewhere far from home. So, after talking to your travel agent and reading Fodor’s or Lonely Planet’s guides… read Bryson before boarding the plane. And if you fly in to Sydney, you will know over the locals about Kingston Smith, for whom the airport is named! Even if you aren’t bound for Down Under, Bryson can transport you through the sights, sounds, and conversations that they reports so well.

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