Kim S. (kimberley18) reviewed on
This is the British title for the "In a Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson, in case you have already read that one! I got both, thinking they were different. Oh, well...
This is a funny and well-written book. Lots of typical Bryson anecdotes, stories and strong opinions. I liked the portion about the outback the most, although I think Bryson is the most opinionated here. He seems to dislike any kind of progress--or what he perceives as progress--including stores and "American" mini malls in Alice Springs, for example. Having grown up in a small desert town in the US that to this day features almost no stores, theaters,other entertainment, including bookstores!, etc. I would have appreciated a few more amenities in my world miles away from everywhere and miles without public transportation. Bryson, who has mostly lived in Britain (so have I so I can attest to this), has many amenities at his finger tips even if he supposedly doesn't like them! Or he could travel easily and attain them.
That being said, Bryson captures the essence of Australia from a tourist, travel writer's point of view--or at least his! Wonderful!
This is a funny and well-written book. Lots of typical Bryson anecdotes, stories and strong opinions. I liked the portion about the outback the most, although I think Bryson is the most opinionated here. He seems to dislike any kind of progress--or what he perceives as progress--including stores and "American" mini malls in Alice Springs, for example. Having grown up in a small desert town in the US that to this day features almost no stores, theaters,other entertainment, including bookstores!, etc. I would have appreciated a few more amenities in my world miles away from everywhere and miles without public transportation. Bryson, who has mostly lived in Britain (so have I so I can attest to this), has many amenities at his finger tips even if he supposedly doesn't like them! Or he could travel easily and attain them.
That being said, Bryson captures the essence of Australia from a tourist, travel writer's point of view--or at least his! Wonderful!
