GinnVillas - Travel in America, Europe, South America and australia

Down under? Yip!   June 8, 2000

If you haven't been to Australia, even if you don't want to (either due to the painful flight or the fact that we house nearly all the world's deadliest critters), this book will make you want to pack your bags and come. Because really- if you haven't seen Australia, met the people... soaked up the sun, you haven't lived, mate. Just ignore our Prime Minister, and you'll be right as rain.


another travel triumph for Bryson   June 7, 2000
  8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Bryson provides a whimsical, humorous, and adventurous depiction; but also an informative and reflective look at the under-appreciated continent of Australia. In the same style of prose which made A Walk in the Woods such a fascinating and fun read, he triumphs again with this new subject. By travelling across Australia by train, he reveals the beauty, wonder, as well as danger and oddity that is the outback. The people, animals, landscape are all constant sources of interest and curiosity to Bryson, and he conveys his enthusiasm to the reader excellently. You will laugh and shudder, reflect and learn, and love every minute of reading this delightful account. I sure did!


Pleasant Surprise   June 7, 2000
  7 out of 8 found this review helpful

The day after I'd ordered it, the new Bryson was given a mediocre review in the N.Y. Times. I'd've ordered it anyway since I'm a big fan but, in fact, my vague disquiet arising from Maslin's negativity simply added to my utter joy as I read In a Sunburned Country. It may not be as non-stop-laugh-out-loud as some of his others but it's far superior to A Walk in the Woods & I certainly guffawed every couple of pages. As often happens with him, things are most amusing when he just shares his thoughts: his variations on Waltzing Matilda are worthy of being compared to the bawdier works of Robert Burns. He does indulge in some more sober contemplation similar to his cantankerous observations in earlier books but since I agree with most of his opinions, I used those moments to catch my breath for the next upbeat section. As often happens with his material, there are parts I can't 'share with friends' because I'm laughing too hard to read the passages. It's Bryson at his very nearly best.


Another Bryson Gem!   June 7, 2000
  7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I can honestly say that I couldn't put this book down. It really is a great read, full of typical Brysonesque humour that left me giggling like an idiot at the most inopportune times (train, bus, etc). Bill obviously loves Australia & initially was strangely complimentary to the land down under (Call me suspicious but I though maybe the Aussie edition was watered down). However after covering enormous distances in difficult conditions whilst fending off a multitude of dangerous creatures, Bill finally warmed to the task of 'taking the mickey'out of the locals and local events (e.g. sheep shagging. Hey Bill I don't knock your hobbies! ). This is a fun book and well worth buying. Grab a copy before they're all gone.


Mr. Bryson's least funny book.   June 7, 2000
  8 out of 13 found this review helpful

I'm a huge Bill Bryson fan, so I preordered his latest book and was pretty disappointed. The research, as always, is meticulous, but there wasn't one page that had any big roaring laughs on it, which is what makes his other books such standouts among travel literature. No weird encounters with sheep shearers or people at laundrymats or anything. I really felt that Mr. Bryson was just plodding through a pretty boring writing assignment--either that, or he has truly become very middle-aged. Next time, I hope he brings along Steve Katz or maybe one of his own children to lighten things up again. Read this book if you want to learn a lot about Australia's explorers, Aborigines, minerals, plant and animal life, but if you want to really have fun, read any of his other travel books instead.