In a Sunburned Country

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door memorable travel literature threatens to break out. This time in Australia. His previous excursion up, down, and over the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime best seller A Walk in the Woods.

Now he has traveled around the world and all the way Down Under to Australia, the only island that is also a continent and the only continent that is also a country. Australia exists on a vast scale, a shockingly under-discovered country with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on this planet, and more things that can kill you in extremely malicious ways than anywhere else: sharks, crocodiles, the 10 most deadly poisonous snakes on the planet, fluffy yet toxic caterpillars, seashells that actually attack you, and the unbelievable box jellyfish.

In a Sunburned Country is a delectably funny, fact-filled and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiosity. Wherever Bryson goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging. They are the beaming products of a land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bryson its perfect guide.

©2000 Bill Bryson (P)2000 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bryson's cheery Australian tale should entertain even the most listless driver. His strength lies in his ability to incorporate astounding facts about the country with nutty personal anecdotes." (Publishers Weekly)

I love Bill Bryson

Not as good as "Home" but still Bill Bryson makes any place, even Australia, interesting and funny

Great book--funny, informative and well-written!

Bill Bryson is a writer's writer and a national treasure. I don't like to travel and will never make it to Australia but this book actually made me want to go.
Nan Becklean Tobin

Ready to Travel Down Under

This is a wonderful trip around the fascinating country of Australia. The author presents a great mix of things he observed and experienced during his travels in the land down under as well as presenting interesting history and background information. This is a very well written, entertaining and informative book and the narrator is clear and concise and does a fine job with a tinge of humor throughout. As you start to listen you will quickly learn how little we in the USA actually know about the country and island continent of Australia.

One of his funniest

I always appreciate when an author will narrate his/her own work, and Bill Bryson's narrations are especially good. I'm a big fan of his books, but this is my absolute favorite of the books he narrates. I was quite literally crying I was laughing so hard at many points in this book. I don't usually re-listen too books, but I know I will have to listen to this one again.

For Armchair (or Earbud) Travel To Australia

Bill Bryson is the master of travel writing and here he seamlessly weaves his amusing personal travel tales with an interesting history of Australia. Entertaining and educational, it’s a perfect light listen for anyone who likes to globetrot or wants to learn more about the Kiwi culture.

Best Bryson

My favorite Bryson book so far. I had no idea how little I knew about Australia, and now I have a burning desire to go and see it all for myself, although goodness knows how I’ll be able to afford spending more than a few weeks there.

But best of all is Brysons trademarks dry humor, interjected at just the right spot. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys travel, or history, or both!

Australia, In. A Sunburned Country

I was thrilled to receive this book by my grandchildren when it was published. They knew I read many of Bill Bryson’s books. In addition, I knew many Australians and New Zealanders, good friends, from whom I learned a lot about their countries and customs and history. Also, it was one of the funniest books I have ever read. Frequently I had to stop reading, as my sides hurt from laughing. The Narrator, of this audible book, a decent serious lad, reads as if he were trying hard to enunciate each vowel and phrase. It is sometimes painful to hear. I was amused and even laughed briefly on occasion but his delivery lacked a sense of humor. No offense; others may not even notice. Having read many of Bryson’s books, I “know how he sounds “ and this rendition did not remind me of Bryson reading the book. The story is fabulous, entertaining and educational and I urge everyone to hear this.

ahhh Bill

loved it. I do hope I find another Australia book to confirm the flavors of Australia are still the same cause I sure don't get news about Australia in my big metropolitan western city. I am so happy that Bill Bryson wrote AND read this to me. I love an interactive book that brings me to laughing hard enough to wonder if the neighbors heard.

brilliant Bryson, with some gaps

Bryson as always, flawless content and side tracking. though was expecting more on aboriginal Australians. felt somewhat avoided, otherwise travel literature at its best

Travel experience

I guess I was surprised by the drinking and the friend of this travel story. Didn't really care what they got up to when not talking about the country. Sounded immature.Very descriptive otherwise