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In a Sunburned Country
In a Sunburned Country
Author: Bill Bryson
Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestseller A Walk in the Woods. In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place: Australia, the country that doubles ...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780767903868
ISBN-10: 0767903862
Publication Date: 5/15/2001
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 295

4 stars, based on 295 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Delos avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on
Helpful Score: 12
I LOVED this book. I have never laughed out loud so much and learned so much (and also been moved by social injustices) all in one book.

If you only read one travel book in your life, make it this one.

There *might* be more educational ones, but none can be as entertaining. There *might* be funnier ones, but none could teach you as much at the same time.
swampfox28 avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
I stumbled onto Bill Bryson a couple of years ago and really enjoyed A Walk in the Woods, so I decided to get a copy of this book. As good as A Walk was, this was even better! There were passages that had me laughing so hard I was afraid of waking up my sleeping husband. Passges that I found so funny that I read them to my loved ones - sometimes more than once (oops!) What I like about Bryson is his passion, his quirky sense of humor, and his ability to throw in tons of useful knowledge and not make you feel overwhelmed by it. He makes some profound points about important issues without getting preachy but rather so simply you wonder how there's ever been any debate on that particular matter. He notices things that I would likely overlook - and then shows me how much I would have missed by doing so. I love that he is a lover of people and a deliberate loner BOTH at the same time. This book made me take a long hard look at whether or not my ambition to go to Australia is such a good idea - and at the same time made me wish I was already there. I HIGHLY reccomend this book!
Hewette avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
Australia really is a very, very different country. Another great mix of history, information, wit and humor. GReat descriptions of the people and culture of Oz. And after all, the worst sunburn of my life was in Australia so I think it is a very fitting title.

'ave a go at this one mate!
reviewed In a Sunburned Country on
Helpful Score: 5
Read this over several lunches and laughed so hard I snorted salsa (twice) and diet coke (once). He's informative, descriptive and can turn a phrase sharper than he can turn a corner! You're reading along and suddenly something hilarious just sneaks up on you and BAM!
angelas avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The beginning was a little slow for me, but I really got into the book a few chapters in. Bryson is very descriptive and you can almost picture yourself enduring some of his hilarious encounters with the Aussie animals or traveling through the outback! I've always wanted to visit Australia, and after reading this book - and learning quite a few new facts - I want to visit even more! Highly recommended!

The only thing that drove me nuts, is the print seemed to be a little smaller than most books (or maybe it was just my eyes...) But it was kind of difficult to read, sometimes I felt like it needed to be magnified. If you have trouble reading small print, I'd suggest getting the audio book or finding out if there is a large print version.
Read All 47 Book Reviews of "In a Sunburned Country"

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reviewed In a Sunburned Country on
Bill Bryson does Australia.
reviewed In a Sunburned Country on
I laughed so hard I had to pull over to the side of the freeway!
buzzby avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 6062 more book reviews
Bryson relates stories from 3 different trips to Australia. Sort of grows on you, Bryson is pretty good at appearing non-heroic in his vacations. In fact, I think I had just as much adventure as he did in Australia; I, too, like visiting roadside attractions shaped like giant fruit; I had the added bonus of not having experience driving on the proper side of the road.
reviewed In a Sunburned Country on
Terrific book describing a seasoned traveler, touring through Australia. He describes his journey in detail, and gives the reader a real insight into the country and what is found there.
kelly-bookworm avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 26 more book reviews
HILARIOUS! Bill Bryson is, truely, the best best author of humor writing on the market!! Having been to Australia twice myself, I found many of the tales outrageously funny from exerience! Be assured that if Bill Bryson wrote it, you will laugh your funny bone off!
LaurenTW avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 37 more book reviews
I had read Bill Bryson's book "Down Under" and enjoyed it so very much with all his witticisms, history, travel info, blunders and adventures that I thought I'd read this other book about Australia. Imagine my surprise when "In a Sunburned Country" turned out to be an alternate name for "Down Under"!! Read it again just for a second round of enjoyment.
2252steph avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 13 more book reviews
Excellent book for anyone planning a trip to Australia.
c-squared avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 181 more book reviews
Absolutely hilarious and fascinating! This book made me want to move to quirky ol' Australia, except that I recently read in National Geographic that the Australians are working just as hard as the rest of the world to destroy their rather large expanse of the planet. I'd at least like to visit, though.
savedbyhisblood avatar reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 36 more book reviews
Bill Bryson always leaves one gasping for breath after laughing so hard
reviewed In a Sunburned Country on + 5 more book reviews
As always, enjoyed this Bill Bryson. He is a fascinating and entertaining author!

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