In the Land of Oz

by Howard Jacobson

On what he calls ‘the adventure of his life', Howard Jacobson travels around Australia, never entirely sure where he is heading next or whether he has the courage to tackle the wild life of the bush, the wild men of the outback, or the even wilder women of the seaboard cities.

In pursuit of the best of Australian good times, he joins revelers at Uluru, argues with racists in the Kimberleys, parties with wine-growers in the Barossa and falls for ballet dancers in Perth. And even as vexed questions of national identity and Aboriginal land rights present themselves, his love for Australia and Australians never falters.

Genres: Travel, Australia, Nonfiction, British Literature, Humor

380 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 1988

About the author

Howard Jacobson was born in Manchester, England, and educated at Cambridge. His many novels include The Mighty Walzer (winner of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize), Who’s Sorry Now? and Kalooki Nights (both longlisted for the Man Booker Prize), and, most recently, The Act of Love. Jacobson is also a respected critic and broadcaster, and writes a weekly column for the Independent. He lives in London.

Profile of Howard Jacobson in The New York Times.

“The book's appeal to Jewish readers is obvious, but like all great Jewish art — the paintings of Marc Chagall, the books of Saul Bellow, the films of Woody Allen — it is Jacobson's use of the Jewish experience to explain the greater human one that sets it apart. Who among us is so certain of our identity? Who hasn't been asked, "What's your background" and hesitated, even for a split second, to answer their inquisitor? Howard Jacobson's The Finkler Question forces us to ask that of ourselves, and that's why it's a must read, no matter what your background.”—-David Sax, NPR.

Reviews

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A travel book but more ... Howard Jacobson is not Australian, so doesn't feel the need to be PC about this country. His wry observations bear up much of what I've learned about the place, living here over 33 years. The look is affectionate, but clear-eyed. Although written in the '80s, much of the book holds true today. In one area it has certainly changed and that is Australian cuisine and dining; they are much more sophisticated and worldly, well beyond the ubitquitous BBQed chicken and chips experienced by Jacobson. Many of the attitudes remain the same, though. A fascinating book for ex-pats of other lands living in Oz, and for brave and honest Australians themselves.

[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow I was expecting a bit more from Mr Jacobson or maybe the 25-30 odd years since he completed the trip and wrote about it haven't been kind to it.
Found the length a bit excessive, as afterwards I couldn't really think of anything that really stood out. To me it was a bit like this:
Sniffy brit author with expat sniffy wife travel all the way around Straya by various means and makes wry observations about strayans doing strayan things. Oh yeh and there's the usual thing about cultural and racial issues too.

[Sharron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious reading that is neither insightful nor entertaining. Way too much Howard Jacobson and far too little Australia. I wasn't expecting a travel guide a la Frommers or Lonely Planet nor a political commentary or cultural history. That said, neither did I anticipate, let alone want, repetition of mundane cocktail party or backyard barbecue chatter. My recommendation is that you skip this book entirely and read Bill Bryson's Travels in a Sunburnt Country instead.

[Brian Horn]

Should be a mandatory read for any Australian,. Does for Australia what Bill Bryson did for UK in Notes From A Small Island. Both love the two countries the people and their quirks. Very funny indeed. My first encounter with Australia was identical to his and had me in hysterics!!

[Sarah Nicmanis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny as feck in many parts and cleverly captures the essence of 'white' Australianism in the eighties. Where I stand here in Sydney 2022, as a pommy tourist, the average Australian is no longer your ocker outback white male - Australian ethnicities and cultural perspectives are much more diverse now. The average Australian is bi-racial. Thank goodness for that.
Jacobson shows sympathy and understanding with regards to the aboriginal communities he comes across on his travels and he conveys the problematic and seemingly solution-less relationship between the indigenous Australians and the settlers in 1987 honestly. It is disappointing throughout the book though how this sympathy for ethnic groups does not extend to differing social classes from his own country. A few pages from the end he reveals his disdain for the British working class in his observations and his summation of a chap from Wolverhampton is difficult to read without starting to hate Jacobson. Bloody good job he kept this less likeable side of himself 500 pages in or I wouldn't have read the book!

[Stephen Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never thought of Howard Jacobson as a travel writer, but it turns out he’s very good at it. At least he was, as this book was written nearly 40 years ago when he and his wife took a multi-transport trip through The Land of Oz, taking in some well-known spots and some not well-known at all. His eye is firmly on the culture, and particularly the relationship between the white Australian and the Aborigine. Time has moved on since he wrote the book, but it’s no less relevant for that, I think. There’s a little Jewishness in it too, inevitably with Jacobson, which he uses occasionally to good effect for both cultural and comedic effect. It’s a good, well-written journey with plenty to reflect on. Highly entertaining, which I’m sure is what he intended.

[Dulcie · Rating 1 out of 5]

One can imagine the pitch; " why, I lived and worked in Australia, my wife was born there. There is no one better qualified to write a droll (ever so droll) quasi anthropological study of those quaint Australians ".
In those distant halycon days of the eighties when casually racist and full time colonial attitudes were just the thing, this may have been acceptable to some people. But why re release it?
Offensive, patronising shit.

[Jasmine Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read, having visited numerous times it was interesting to read about Howard’s travels and how Australia has changed/not changed since. Sure the culinary choices are now so varied due to its ethnic diversities but we still see the contrast between the attitudes of the white Australians to the Aboriginals. I think Howard could revisit and do Pt2. Highly recommend it.

[Eddie Lees · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting yet not compelling

This is a kaleidoscope of a book, comprising descriptive vignettes of parts of Australia that are, in most cases, far off the beaten track. Though the author parades his extensive vocabulary to effect, he sometimes lingers too long in describing places, people, and positions that could do with a bit more motion, if they are to keep us interested. A well-written travelogue that needs a bit more action.

[Maria McArdle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous and highly atmospheric. You can almost smell the gum trees, see the wildlife and feel the burning heat. The author and his wife take and tackle the rough roads and some of the even rougher 'locals' in their stride as they travel deep into the Australian outback. Visiting cities on their way, the reader is given glimpses into the historical development, highs and lows of society. If you want an armchair tour of Oz this is it! Maria McArdle

[Jyv · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently, this books was supposed to be funny (so they claimed on the back cover). It wasn't. It was mind-numbingly boring. I read three chapters and found my eyes were constantly glazing over. I scanned a bit more, dipping into further chapters, hoping it would be more interesting, but was rewarded with more tedium. You get through half the book before he leaves Western Australia. Sydney got a couple of pages, Melbourne a paragraph - none of it in the least interesting.
I couldn't help but think that the book would've been far better had his wife written it.

[Reena · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has been ages since I read a travelogue and I have itchy feet. Picked up In the Land of Oz Give, hoping it would be an insightful trip to Australia and calm the wanderlust. However, it turned out to be a bunch of dated drivel. Give me Bruce Chatwin’s Songlines for a more perceptive journey down under any day.

[Ruth Chippendale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read a travelogue of these remoter parts of Australia prior to a possible trip, and I embarked on this book without realising it is now quite old (describing a trip done in 1986) and probably out-of-date.
Nevertheless I persevered and enjoyed the read, it may well push me to try some of Howard Jacobson's novels which I have not yet read.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

20 odd years on since Jacobson wrote this, Australia and her people (both residents and visitors) have changed in so many ways, and yet stayed the same in so many others. A fascinating read which has made me wish I could get out there and explore more myself.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book dates back to travel in the 80's it is interesting and lively. While I wondeer how much has changed, it is a fun look into Australia and impressive for the immense territory covered and the images and personalities conveyed.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Review by Merrill Leffler for the Jewish Book Council

[Murray Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully droll look at Australia which is still valid after twenty five years.

[Norah S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that the Tin Man of Oz had a name? It was Nick Chopper.

[Ilya Plotkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a struggle (perhaps because it is a travel book written in the 1980s). It started off with an interesting foray into arguably remote Australia, got extremely dry and drawn out throughout its middle, and finished generally strong. There is little to none of NSW, Victoria, Canberra, or Tasmania.