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In a Sunburned Country Audiobook
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(4.00) - 33,011 listener ratings
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Read by the author
Nine CDs, 10 hours
Just in time for the 2000 Olympics-the bestselling quthor of A Walk in the Woods takes listeners on a truly outrageous tour Down Under.
Compared to his Australian excursions, Bill Bryson had it easy on the Appalachian Trail. Nonetheless, Bryson has on several occasions embarked on seemingly endless flights bound for a land where Little Debbies are scarce but insects are abundant (up to 220,000 species of them), not to mention crocodiles.
Taking listeners on a rollicking ride far beyond packaged-tour routes, IN A SUNBURNED COUNTRY introduces a place where interesting things happen all the time. Leaving no Vegemite unsavored, listeners will accompany Bryson as he dodges jellyfish while learning to surf at Bondi Beach, discovers a fish that can climb trees, dehydrates in deserts where temperatures leap to 140 degrees F, and tells the true story of the rejected Danish architect who designed the Sydney Opera House.
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"4 April 2012 -- a confronting read as an Australian. This is a book definitely written with an American audience in mind. Appreciated the research into Australian history was done in a comprehensive and accurate manner. Liked the anecdotes of his interactions with people. Very funny in places. Not sure if I would recommend this to someone visiting Australia or not. Perhaps more suitable for someone who has already visited."
— Jodi (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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In the late afternoon, I stopped at a roadhouse for gas and coffee. I studied my book of maps . . . Then, having nothing better to do, I leafed through the index and amused myself, in a very low-key way, by looking for ridiculous names, of which Australia has a respectable plenitude. I am thus able to report that the following are all real places: Wee Waa, Poowons, Borrumbuttock, Suggan Buggan, Boomahnoomoonah, Waaia, Mullumbimby Ewylamartup, Jiggalong, and the supremely satisfying Tittybong."
In a Sunburned Country Listener Reviews
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Ludolf Gruch, 12/31/2022
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" A little overboard on the fact that everything in Australia will kill you, but overall entertaining. I feel I got a really good overview of the country, politics and culture. "
— Bill, 9/27/2018 -
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pat longo, 11/4/2017
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" I always love Bryson, he brings a certain open and friendly point of view to traveling that I wish I had. It's awesome to be able to 'follow' him on his travels. "
— Kateclysm, 2/10/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this. So funny, laughed hard many times. And interesting to read an outsider's perspective of our wide red land. Great detail and history with a healthy dose of personality. I want to travel Australia again. I wish I'd known half as much as he did when I travelled it all those years ago. Easy and hilarious, one of those books you read with relief and joy. Recommend! "
— Jess, 2/7/2014 -
" This is a great read, had me laughing so hard it was scary. A insightful "outside" look at Australia and the people, presented in an easy to read manner, but jam-packed full of interesting bits of information about Australia I never knew before. It really give me the desire to go exploring around the country more than I have already. Highly recommended! "
— Harley, 1/18/2014 -
" This is trademark Bryson at his best, traveling around Australia and making witty comments. The book really gets good when he gets a traveling companion, similar to when his buddy joins him on the Appalachian Trail in A Walk in the Woods. "
— Susan, 1/15/2014 -
" hilarious! But I still don't want to visit Australia. "
— Iwannazombie, 1/13/2014 -
" Absolutely hillarious observations and experiences in Oz. "
— Michelle, 1/11/2014 -
" I always enjoy Bryson's book, but this one was a bit slower that his others. Australia is fascinating and full of more deadly plants and animals than any place in the world. "
— Linda, 12/26/2013 -
" Very funny and full of information, from someone who obviously loves the country. "
— Newgirl, 12/20/2013 -
" Took me 10 years to finish reading it, a tad too long and whimsical. "
— Abbey, 12/12/2013 -
" Laughed until I cried in some parts of this book. "
— Nikki, 12/10/2013 -
" i thought it was a humorous, informative read, but it did not add a lot of enjoyment to my life. I could have lived without it. "
— Gail, 11/8/2013 -
" Bryson may be the most interesting non-fiction writer on earth. "
— Mike, 10/25/2013 -
" I'm impressed by how Bill Bryson can write such an entertaining book consisting of mostly dull material. "
— Brian, 10/10/2013 -
" You've gotta just love Bryson's travelogues. And he does a nice job narrating it himself. Well worth a listen. Not as good as A Walk in the Woods though. "
— Larry, 5/22/2013 -
" Fantastic book! Hilarious and insightful. Lots of laugh out loud moments. I also enjoyed reading about lots of the places I've been to "
— Rosemary, 3/5/2013 -
" Really enjoyed learning about a county/continent I did not know much about. The author is very humorous so it was really fun to read. "
— Jinx, 2/24/2013 -
" Love the humor and learning about Australia. "
— Lynn, 12/17/2012 -
" Lots of information about Australia. Travel humor. "
— Karen, 11/28/2012 -
" Classic, excellent, informative, hilarious Bryson! Read it whether you're going to Australia or not! "
— Katherine, 9/4/2012 -
" Now I really want to go to Australia! I have enjoyed everything I've read by Bill Bryson and I love hearing him read his audiobooks. "
— Robin, 7/10/2012 -
" Found this much easier to understand when I'd actually been to Australia. "
— TwoDrinks, 5/1/2012 -
" Bryson's writing style is a wonderful combination of a travelog, a Mitchner book and P.J. O'Rourke. Confirmed for me that if I had any job offer than enabled me to move to Australia, I would leave immediately. "
— Dirk, 3/26/2012 -
" His description of listening to cricket on the radio is hilarious. "
— Solange, 12/11/2011 -
" A laugh-out-loud funny account of Bill's travels in Australia. Possibly funniest to those who are relatively familiar with Australian life but an entertaining and informative (in a very unique way) read for anyone. "
— Martee, 6/27/2011 -
" Loved this. As usual, Bryson made me want to travel to the place he visited. Can't wait to get to Australia! "
— Leslie, 6/24/2011 -
" Great tour through Australia, Bill was able to capture a great mixture of local hot spots and big tourist attractions while weaving in a great history of the country. "
— Matt, 6/20/2011 -
" This is my second Bryson book, and I am so glad I stumbled upon him. Funny, funny man. <br/> <br/> "
— Bxrlover, 6/14/2011 -
" Travel, humor and crazy stories. What's not to love. "
— Shiloh, 6/13/2011 -
" Definitely moving Australia up on the list of places to go. "
— stillme, 6/7/2011 -
" Bill Bryson is always an enjoyable and pleasant stroll through wherever. Australia has always a fascination for me. This was just right. "
— Ellen, 6/7/2011 -
" Made me want to go. I love his wandering approach to travel, and that he walks a great deal to get a feel for daily life in a community. "
— Rock, 6/6/2011 -
" The only caveat with this book is that you may embarrass yourself with laughing if you read this in public. "
— Shanna, 6/3/2011
About Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson is the New York Times bestselling author of At Home, A Walk in the Woods, The Lost Continent, Made in America, The Mother Tongue, A Short History of Nearly Everything—winner of the Aventis Prize—and various other works. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he now lives in England, where he has worked for both the Times and Independent and written for most other major British and American publications.