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)

Hilarious and informative

I absolutely loved the witty tone of this book and I learned a lot about Australia, more places to add to the bucket list!

Best travel book

This was my introduction to Bill Bryson and I couldn't be happier. The hard copy was gifted to me, but I'm happy I downloaded the audiobook to hear Bill's delivery. I'd highly recommend the book to anyone interested in learning about Australia. I'd be interested in a quick update given the many changes since it was published.

Listened while driving in Australia

Loved it. Worth every minute of listening. Great humor and learned so much about this amazing country.

A Wonderful, Funny Tour of Australia

It also covers its history and biology in engaging snippets as he visits relevant places.

Great story telling

Entertaining and informational. super fun listen. There are so many places I want to go to now

informative and entertaining

Wow! I loved this book. I laughed out loud so many times and was completely entertained for the full reading. Bill Bryson is a great narrator. Funny, very funny. I also learned so much about Australia. Fantastic.

Bryson is Genius

How to describe a Bryson book? Funny, touching, and so incredibly descriptive you feel as if you are there. I have been to Australia, it feels just like he describes it. So very worth a listen. In my top 10 all time books.

Bryson

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Bryson is good on travel, easy to listen to, but not his best. This one needed a map.

Would you be willing to try another book from Bill Bryson? Why or why not?

Yes

What about Bill Bryson’s performance did you like?

Down to earth, pulls no punches.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

My fave is A Walk in the Woods

Can I go to Australia now?

If you could sum up In a Sunburned Country in three words, what would they be?

Bill F***ing Bryson.

Any additional comments?

Bill Bryson, doing what he does best; talking about something he knows. Unlike other travel books, he gives you niether all good nor all bad. He seems to have a real love for Australia and Australians but confronts the clear contradictions and faults within the country. He gives you the cities and he give you the outback, he loves both but he also recognizes their tragic places in the Australian culture.

He also adresses the forever enigmatic and heartbreaking history of the Aboriginal people, something lacking in many accounts of Australia.

All in all, its a great listen and only made me want to go to Australia all the more.

Hilarious and informative!

I Loved this book! I read Bryson’s books on Shakespeare which I really enjoyed but this was even better. My husband is Australian and so I really appreciated Bryson’s insight on Australians and their culture. He was spot-on! The book is an interesting mix of his experiences while traveling through Australia and interesting facts about the history of the young country. I liked that it was read in his own voice. Many moments of the book made me laugh out loud! I replayed certain sections for my family because they were so funny. I highly recommend. I plan to read all of Bryson’s books now!