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)

Made me want to pack up for a holiday down under

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

Engaging, ecclectic, comprehensive

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

This is classic Bryson, with the expansive descriptions of everything he experiences that immerses you in the scene.

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

Yes, while it isn't a cliff hanger the continually changing scenes always provides something new.

Bill Bryson is a genius!

Bryson's quirky travel narratives are part-travelogue and part-storytelling with sprinklings of trivia thrown in for good measure. I love the way he jumps around yet manages to stay on topic and interesting. I prefer to travel alone, but, if I had to pick a travel companion, there's no question it would be Bryson or one of his books!

a delightful romp down under

What did you love best about In a Sunburned Country?

i loved learning about the country. Full of nature raw and open spaces and interesting people and places. made me want to go there very badly. also enjoyed Bryson's sense of humor.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In a Sunburned Country?

All the encounters with nature.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

i like hearing the author's voice, even tho i'm not crazy about Bryson's.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

i would not make a film about it.

Fabulous storyteller!

Any additional comments?

I purchased this audiobook because I plan to visit Australia later this year. I didn't learn very much that will be useful in my upcoming trip, but, omigod, did I ever get my money's worth anyway. The author is a marvelous story-teller with a wicked sense of humor. Warning: parts may leave you laughing too hard to drive safely - especially his description of himself falling asleep from jet lag while being given a tour.

Great account of Australia

I just returned from Australia and found this to be such a wonderfully colorful account of traveling in this amazing country. Bryson's humor had me laughing out loud. As usual, he fills the pages with interesting facts, anecdotes and joy.

Exhaustive without being Exhausting

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

more than travel

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

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Only Bryson can capture a place and time with wit, historical perspective, self-depricating humor, and a sense of the place that few others see.

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

He understands exactly where to place the emphasis for maximum cheek

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It's a very big place

Any additional comments?

Bryson's wry wit combined with his ambling approach to any subject has give Australia a brilliant and hilarious commentary. His unique sense of what might be interesting has taken me up the back roads and into the most obscure sections of this vast and unknowable part of the world.

Wonderful in every aspect

Humorous, well researched, engaging and thought provoking, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The author reading his own story made the experience like listening to a very witty articulate friend. At times humorously self deprecating, at other times challenging, it left me wanting more.

A must own.

I am a big fan of Mr. Bryson's work, and it is my opinion that this is one of his best. I can't say what an Australian listener might think of it, but never having been to the country myself, I was fascinated.

Fantastic Voyage!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I was so disappointed, knowing it had to end. Initially Bill Bryson's narration seemed not quite right, but in no time at all the dryness of his voice matched that of his humor. This was interesting, amusing, informative, upbeat, even historical, full of little tidbits of information you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere except in someone's private journal. I am currently in Australia and it is so fun to actually see and experience the things he is describing. But this is certainly not a requirement to enjoy this book. I look forward to reading some of his other travel narratives.

Another Bryson gem!

I listened to this book because I’m going to Australia. Now I feel I’ve been there. Thanks Bill.