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. 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 ten 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.")

27 of 27 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Let's Go!

Wow! What a fabulously entertaining and informative book. Not only do you get to learn some of the history of Australia, you also get to take a trip around the country with this humorous author and enjoy his view of things "down under." Almost makes you want to go there--but then again, with all the poisonous critters and vast outback to get lost in, you might just be safer staying in your car with this audiobook.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Travel writing at its best

Fans of Bill Bryson will know what to expect: sharp, scathing, hilariously funny tales from the master of travel writing. If anything, this book is even better than normal because the subject matter is less familiar - giving Bryson free rein to expound on the history, culture(?) and natural perils of Australia. He also narrates the book himself - something that is normally a Very Bad Thing. But he does an excellent job - better, perhaps, than anyone else would have done. All things considered, an excellent book.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Fantastic introduction to Australia

I downloaded this because I am planning a trip 'down under' and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is beautifully written, amusing, and extremely informative. Bryson has done an immense amount of research on this country, and imparts it in a thought-provoking, insightful, and funny way. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Australia or in travel writing in general. Only a few minor drawbacks keep this from five stars in my opinion: it has a confusing strucutre (I'm never sure which visit we're on) and gets a bit too long and repetitive toward the end.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Bill Bryson is great

Funny and informative. I learned so much. I always enjoy Bill Bryson's books and I always laugh out loud. What could be better than to learn and laugh at the same time.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Outstandingly Funny!

Written with a perfect blend of insightful facts, droll sarcasm, and superlative wit. I was ready to book passage to Australia to go on my own quirky tour after listening to this account of Mr. Bryson's trip across that continent. Not to be missed.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Arrive at end. Start over. Repeat.

This book is informative, educational, charming, and hilarious. I've read the paper version and listened to it and will probably return to it once every few years to remind myself of all the poisonous things I need to avoid.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Wonderful book

If you listen to this book on headphones on an airplane (as I did), you will disturb other passengers when you laugh out loud. Funny and informative. As with all his books, he mixes personal experience with well researched facts and insights. It is always a treat to listen to Bill Bryson narrate his own work.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Bryson World Class Writer and Narrator

Ultimately when you "travel" with with Bill you feel as if you are along for the ride enjoying the sights or puzzling over the oddities of any given location. He describes all the characters or ridiculous situations in which he finds himself in such delightful way that you often feel as if you have stumbled into the fictional word of "The Phantom Tollbooth" (with its odd but well intention inhabitants) but with the thrill of it all having been real. Both history and natural wonders are described with proper perspective to sound quite worthy of one's appreciation. You even enjoy the occasional pause for refreshment, that cup of tea before a day's adventures, or a well earned pint at some colorful pub at the end of a long day. This book allows you to enjoy myriad dangers of Australia's vast and deadly outback without the slightest risk of being reduced to drinking any urine. (a recurring joke only readers of the book will get)
Bryson does his own narration and is one of the few authors for whom this works. His self deprecating tones add humor to the many absurd situations in which finds himself. For example he asks, with the perfectly quizzical note of concern in his voice, "So are you suggesting that I just drown calmly?" after having been advised on how to deal with the dangerous rip currents off Australia's beaches. I had no idea Australia was such a fascinating place. As far as my enjoyment of the audiobook I will quote Bryson who says occasionally if and when appropriate, "I couldn't have been more pleased."

2 of 2 people found this review helpful