In a Sunburned Country

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Summary: Bryson Finds Love at Last
Review: For most Americans - and probably for most Europeans, too - Australia is a big, roughly circular blank spot on the map. For us, it's an easy-to-defend territory in Risk, and the source of many a bad Down Under joke - a country that's gone to another planet, but occasionally sends back bands and boomerangs.

Bill Bryson doesn't see Australia like that. Strange to say - *very* strange, if you've read his other travel books - Bryson actually seems to like, even love, Australia. He certainly relishes traveling through it and revels in the odd little facts he unearths. This makes for a touching travel book rather different than his previous works.

In a Sunburned Country is actually extremely different than, for example, A Walk in the Woods. The primary focus of Walk was the humor and the experiences, not the Applachian Trail, and certainly not America or Americans. In Sunburned, Bryson has produced a much more straightforward travelogue more concerned with little museums and cheap hotels than with the inside of his own head. It's still funny, of course, and it's still got a lot of Bryson in it - his reactions to the museums (he loved every one of 'em), his reactions to the hotels (if you're going to Darwin, better check out this book first), and his inexplicable ability to find danger and injury in places where other people are fine (the dogs in the park, petrol in the outback).

This is by no means an in-depth exploration of Australia; in fact, it could be subtitled "Australia: Only the Good Parts." Bryson just gives hints about the darker side of modern Australians (a man in a train who says that all Aborogines should be hanged), then hastily retreats to another museum. It's as though he's reluctant to let his fantasy of Perfect Australia be tainted.

However, it's engrossing both as armchair travel and as humor, and that, as we all know, is a perfect combination. And if the government of Australia owes Bryson a hearty thank-you for this book, so what?

(One last note: he's done a book and a half with Stephen Katz, who is in his own way delightful. But if Bryson has any sense at all, he'll take Alan Sherwin along on his next book trip. Bryson is always better with a companion, a foil, and Sherwin is perfect for that. In addition, Sherwin doesn't appear to hold a grudge, which is essential for someone who is traveling with Bryson. In Sunburned, many of the funniest and best bits involve Sherwin, even though he's in less than a fifth of book.)

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Summary: A wonderful travel book! I'm packing my bags!
Review: The only reason I first picked up this book is because I heard so much buzz about it. I found Australia to be a mildly interesting country and a place I'd love to visit, but would I really want to listen to someone describe their travels there? YES. Bill Bryson made me crack up laughing as he worked he away across the continent known as Australia. From Uluru to Sydney and all the way to lonely Perth, I found myself utterly wrapped up in Bryson's tales of his travels, which included sprinklings of history, plant and animal life, and racism. Except for a dry area in the middle, I found the book to be rather fast moving. If you want to read a wonderfully concise, witty writer, and get a real feel to Australia, pick up this book!

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Summary: STOP THE PRESSES he has already published this book
Review: I was shocked to read this book. It seemed familiar, very familiar. I had already read it!!! I thought this was a new book by Bryson on Australia.

But the same book was also published prior under another title: "Bill Bryson Down Under". So if you read that - as I had - this is the same book but (just) with a new cover and name.

Here is my review already posted for that book also sold at Amazon.com.

I first found this book at the Melbourne airport where there were piles of these books with bright yellow covers flying off the shelves to eager buyers. The new book has a blue cover - by the way with a kangaroo

I was in a hurry at the time and on this trip did not see much of Australia. In any case this is a wonderful book and made up for a lack of travel time. It is really excellent. Bryson travels around Australia like he does in England and Europe in other books and gives a sort of diary of his daily activities, all in minute detail and with much humor. Unlike those other books this is a car and plane trip. It present a picture of day to day life around the wilds of Australia - especially some of the more famous spots such as Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Outback, Queensland, the Victoria coast, Surfers Paradise, etc. It wants to make you follow in his steps and re-trace his travels, pub by pub or through each isolated Chinese restaurant and small museum in the outback. Just a superb and entertaining book.

Jack in Toronto

Rating:
Summary: Will make you wish you were there!
Review: This book is an excellent introduction to this vast country that is Australia. In his journal, Bryson recounts all of his adventures and all of his yawns while down under. And he goes everywhere too! Whatever part of Australia you might be interested in whether it be Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth or Surfer's Paradise it's all in this book.

Unlike most travel companions that try to convince you that every spot is worth your time, Bryson is brutally honest. If a place is boring and the pits, he'll let you know.

I definitely recommend this book both as a travel guide and as a comic adventure. Bill Bryson's writing style is hilarious. The only people I might not recommend this book to are those who might not have the time or financial resources to ever go to Australia. After reading In a Sunburned Country, you'll wish you were there.

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Summary: Thanks Bill!
Review: 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. He 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 anyone 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 he gets from place to place. He has toned down the sarcasm for this book, and one almost gets the impression that he just likes the place too darn much. This book will not 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!

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Summary: On my way
Review: This is the 1st Bill Bryson book I've read, and already I love the guy!!! Easy read, VERY informative, and funny! I will not depart from this world without first having experienced Australia, thanks to Bill....!!!

I will soon be reading his other works during my summer vacations.

Rating:
Summary: A most engaging travelogue
Review: Bill Bryson manages to convey wit, humor, insight, and information in a way that is unmatched. He's every bit the ideal travelling companion. I found this book to be thoroughly engaging and informative, and I was sorry to finish it.

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Summary: Great style, very conversational
Review: I have started buying Bryson's books because I enjoy is conversational style. Not heavy on details, just wit and wisdom with a few thought provoking moments thrown in.

An entertaining read - would be a GREAT beach book if you, like me, take along a book to pass the idle relaxation times.

Rating:
Summary: Bill Bryson Rides Again
Review: Readers of Bill Bryson are familiar with his quirky and reflective sense of humor. Be prepared to grip your sides and have tears come to your eyes as Bryson describes the rudeness hotel staff in Darwin, his fear of the ocean in Sydney, and fear of the potently dangerous Australian animals in the outback.

Australia has long been regarded by the world as mysterious, unusual, and generally forgotten. Bryson brings Australia to the top of the world as he examines Australian phenomenon in-depth. How could a non-govenment atom bomb blow up in the desert unnoticed? How can a prime minister disappear into the surf never to be seen again, and for that matter, why would Melbourne name a municipal swimming pool after him? Why are meat pies, although full of fat, gravy, and are generally unappealing, such a big hit with the Aussie population. Who are these mysterious Australians and how did Australia become such a prosperous nation when the settlers were convicts ranging from age 8-72, and had virtually no skills that would contribute to making any economy at all? Bryson bravely delves into these questions and more, and answers them with the whole hearted, candid style that is uniquely his own.

Although this book is incredibly funny, it is also very insightful. Only Bill Bryson could describe Australia in such a colorful light. He covers subjects such as Australian history and Austrialian historians views of Australian history, what it meant to be an Australian fifty years ago and what it means today, travel and tourism, and much, much more.

This book is essential for anyone who has ever had a love affair with the mysterious land down under. I can't find the words to accurately praise this book. All I can say is I recommend 110%. Whether or not you have ever gone to Oz, or whether or not you plan on going, if you are looking for information about Australia far beyond what is offered in the typical narrative or travel guide, this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: In a Sunburned Country
Review: This is a very funny book. Easy read with heaps of humor. Having been to Australia twice and preparing for my third journey, I found Bryson's book quite accurate about the Aussies. They are wonderful people, it is a wonderful country, and this is a wonderful book.