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)

Always Entertaining

As always Bill Bryson's work is informational and entertaining. This book went very quickly for me as I found myself sipping tea and listening to the book instead of turning on the television for the evening.

In addition, Mr Bryson does an excellent job narrating his own work.

If you are a Bryson fan you won't be disappointed and if you have not yet jumped off into Bryson-Land yet this would be a nice starting point.

A Heartfelt Love Story

If you have ever traveled to Australia (or feel any sort of particular draw to it), this book is ready to help you sing the joys of falling in love with a sunburnt, dangerous, and beautiful country. The book is funny, intelligent, and offers an excellent outsiders reflection of how mesmerizing Down Under really is. Even 20 years removed from this book’s 2000’s release, Australia still resonates inside the pages of this book.

What a great listen!

I enjoyed listening to this book so much. It was both an invaluable introduction to Australia for me, and highly enjoyable and drop-dead funny!

Bill Bryson is so relatable and easy to listen to. I love how, after hearing this book, I really got an understanding of the different places and regions in Australia, as well as important issues relating to history, geography and culture. There is just so much to learn from this book, and I will definitely listen to it again.

I adore Bill Bryson!

Very entertaining listen. I think I will get a map of Australia in front of me for reference and listen to it again some time. Bryson mentions several times how little American know or hear about Australia. Listening to Bryson's book will remedy this for you; he explains the history, discovery (by Europeans) and settlement of this continent. He even explains the current government. Add this to an overview of several major cities and wrap it all in his incomparable hilarious dialogue and there you have it: this book.

very funny

I now want to visit Australia! Was disappointed there was no mention of the Cane Toads, though.

Great When Bill Bryson Reads His Own Work

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

If you can find a version with Bill Bryson reading his excellent prose on Australia himself, grab it immediately.

What other book might you compare In a Sunburned Country to and why?

Bryson's books, such as 'A Walk In The Woods', 'Notes From A Small Island' and 'Neither Here Nor There' - with him reading his own material - I can't stress enough how worthwhile having him read the book makes the experience.

What does Bill Bryson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nuances in his expressive but not overbearing voice can make you laugh uncontrollably or wonder in amazement at the startling fact he is conveying.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I guess if I had to specify, it might be his description early in the book about his experience riding around as a passenger guest being shown Metro Sydney, soon after unboarding from the international flight from America; his jet lag etc leads him to fall asleep; his description of how he may appear when thus sleeping in the front passenger side of someone's car as they silently ride around metro Sydney to "show him the sights" etc. is classicly hilarious.

Any additional comments?

The guy who often reads the unabridged versions of Bill Bryson's audio books, though a fine reader in his own right, has extremely tough competition when compared to the author himself. I do wish Bryson would go to read/record his earlier unabridged titles as he does now. He's a book called 'One Summer' coming out soon which I am eager to add to my Bryson collection. His books are genuinely deeply interesting and highly entertaining - a rare combination he masters well.

excellent book, marginal narration

I adore Bill Bryson's books, and this one is the usual blend of fascinating facts and fun anecdotes, so it's ironic that I would object to the author's narration. His voice is just low enough that every other phrase seemed to be a throwaway comment and it was a physical effort just to hear what was going on. In this case I would have preferred reading the book to myself.

An Aussie Perspective

I enjoy Bill Bryson's sense of humour. This book is informative and thoroughly entertaining. Recommended listening for anyone planning a trip to Australia or just curious about Australia and Aussies.

Bryson is fun

I love Bryson books and I'm a big fan of his reading his own work. this is a fun and informative book on a far of land of mystery. The story feels real and his candid telling is very amusing. Pack some sunblock and get ready to have a blast.

Needs more on indigenous cultures

I listened to this in preparation for my own Australian excursion and found it to be a funny, throurough travelouge. The missing star is for the shortchanging Bill gives the indigenous cultures of Australia. He has little to do with such an enormous part of Aussie daily life. I spent a large part of my time in the Mildura region where I encountered a shocking amount of blatant racism towards the aborigines. In other areas, like Broken Hill, the aborigine art and culture is actually celebrated and a tourist draw.