In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of In a Sunburned Country
Book Review: Inconsistent
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm sorry, Bill Bryson has gone downhill with this book. A lot of it is very informative, some of it is very funny, but it's not nearly as much of either as some of his previous books. And most irritatingly of all, it's not all well researched. He passes through Cook on the Indian Pacific, and says it has 40 inhabitants and is not very interesting. In fact Cook has only 2 inhabitants these days, the rest not required any more by the Great Southern Railway. The relic of a small town, lived in by two people who converse only with themselves, freight train drivers and the twice-weekly Indian Pacific passengers? Surely some interest to be found there..Bryson also claims that Australia is by far the least densly populated country on earth. Not true at all. Mongolia is emptier, and several countries come close (Iceland, Canada, Namibia). These are trifling points, but they make me worry slightly about the rest of his information.
Another downside of the book, and possibly the explanation for my previous complaints, is that it is clear that Bryson has gone to Australia mostly to write the book, and that he has the means to travel very comfortably these days. First class in the Indian Pacific? Does he think that qualifies him to talk about having seen Australia from ground level?
No, if you want a good Bryson book, buy Neither Here Nor There, which is a classic. This book is not a patch on that one.
Oh yes, and his frequent use of the phrase "That's all I'm saying" like it's something to be proud of grates quite severely after about the third time you read it.
Book Review: Probably my favourite Bryson
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried to hold out for the paperback, but I was too impatient, and I'm glad I didnt wait! As other readers have commented it is a little different from what has gone before,and certainly packs in much more history which I found fascinating, but it had some great laughs too. Can't wait for the next one.........Book Review: A welcome return to form
Summary: 5 Stars
Much more akin to 'Neither Here Nor There' and 'Notes From A Small Island' this book is a welcome return to form for all Bryson readers. Written with obvious affection for the country and with his trademark easy, fluid style, every page is filled with fascinating facts, amusing anecdotes and so many plain laugh-out-loud moments that you almost wish the last page will never come. If you were disappointed with 'A Walk In The Woods' and want Bryson's honesty, charm and humour but without the ranting, then this book is a definite buy.Book Review: A rushed trip around Australia
Summary: 3 Stars
Aftrer having just returned from a trip around Australia whilst on a year out I was desperate to read this book as soon as I saw it on the shelves. Believing that it would allow me to relive all the places I visited I quickly became dissapointed and bogged down due to the non stop history lesson. I just wish that rather than having ten pages of stories leading to half a page of review it could have been the other way around. I cannot help feeling like a key oppurtunity has been missed here.Book Review: Very good
Summary: 5 Stars
As an American transplanted myself to Britain, I have always enjoyed his 'American' books (Lost Contient & Notes from a Big Country). I originally avoided this one, because I have never visited Australia. Well, I loved it. Particularly noteworthy is his description of cricket using baseball references. Classic!