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)

Laugh out loud funny

This is my first book by Bryson but it won't be my last. His wit and satire made this one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. In addition to its humor, the book provides an excellent glimpse of Australia... its history, its people, its cities, and its unique and beautiful sights. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Australia and have a good time to boot. (Memorable quote from the book: "Most people, when sleeping, look like they need a blanket. I look like I need medical attention.")

Excellent

It's always great when you're laughing throughout a book and still learning an incredible amount about something.

I highly recommend this book.

Very funny

I have never read a "travel" book before so I was not sure what to expect. I simply wanted some information about Australia. What I got instead was one of the funniest stories I have listened to in a long time. I did also learn a great deal about Australia in the process. Bill Bryson is a great author and he reads his work like a pro. The section where he describes how the game of cricket is played is worth the price of the book alone.

Simply wonderful

Bill Bryson is always great, but this book is a particular favorite, and as a reader Bryson is marvellous -- low-key, endearing, and very funny. It's like spending hour after delightful hour in the company of a dear friend with an inexhaustible supply of fascinating and amusing anecdotes. I've never been to Australia -- yet -- but I love it dearly as a result of this book. In fact, when I read Nevil Shute's "A Town Like Alice" not long after completing this book, I got so homesick for Australia that I read the Bryson book all over again. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Never been to Australia. But now I have.

Bill Bryson takes you off to a land far far away. And you can easily imagine what it's like there. Love the humor and all the stories and historical facts. Love that Bill Bryson narrated it, couldn't imagine anyone else doing it.
On a few occasions, it did feel like a chore to keep going, but I'm very happy I did.

very good listening

You certainly get a different appreciation for Austrailia after you listen to this audiobook; Bill Bryson's narratives are filled with historical details and humorous episodes that would help you get an idea of what Austrailia is like outside of the popular images of the Sydney Harbor that most people associate with the country. However, although the author is full of empathy and affection for the country he's writing about, the narrative feels a bit less personal. His emotions are often not as deeply felt as his other works (for example, "Walk in the Woods") and feels somewhat detached and impersonal. Although Bill Bryson's trademark is his unique sense of humor and witty obervations and this work is on par with most of his other books, for me, the lack of STRONG personal sentiments made this a bit dry. It's certainly a good listening and worth your time, as are most of other works by Bill Bryson.

Another great book by Bryson

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

Bill Bryson strikes a great balance of interweaving his personal journey with facts and history about Australia. Once listened to, I had not only experienced great entertainment by the author and his narration, but also obtained a general understanding of Australia; it's land, people, beginnings and where it is today.

Ace!

This corker is a real Captain Cook at down under. From Big Smoke to lots of Woop Woop, Bryson takes in Yabbos and Wosers alike. The Seppo’s a bit of a whinger, but he’s a dunny rat he is with words. Be warned if you’re a banana bender, he thinks you’re a bag of cut snakes, and he doesn’t care much for biters and blueys either. But if you’re up for a fair dinkum ear bashing, it’s a rip snorter and good oil for Oz.

Just get it

Would you listen to In a Sunburned Country again? Why?

No, that's ridiculous, who listens to a book twice? It's like 12 hours. I have limited time in life, so no.

What did you like best about this story?

Bill Bryson and the way he sees the world. He can just keep talking, it's like traveling with Rick Steves of PBS, he's just so inoffensive and funny.

Which scene was your favorite?

That's sort of a weird question for this book. You obviously didn't read it if you're asking me what "scene " I liked.

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

Absolutely. If bill Bryson had a radio station I would pay to subscribe

If ever I were a writer...

If ever I were a writer, I would choose to write as explicit as Bill Bryson. Enough said!