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Twerking To Beethoven's Reviews > In a Sunburned Country
In a Sunburned Country
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This book will teach you a lot of things that no ordinary travel guide will. Also, Bill Bryson is a funny bastard, and in a really genuine way; I mean, he's not trying to be funny at all costs, it's just the way he is, and that's why this book is so pleasant.
There are heaps of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. AND the many dangers: taipan snakes, funnel web spiders, box-jellyfish, crocs, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like, and he's SPOT ON.
My favourite bit? The trip to Alice Springs with Allan Sherwin. Comedy gold.
So, there you go. Should you visit our shores, look no further, go get your copy of "In a Sunburned Country"(*). It's very informative, gives you plenty of info and covers just about everything-Straya.
(*) - Actually my copy goes by the title of "Downunder". I swapped it with this one as, for uknown reasons, GR wouldn't show the sleeve. It's the same book anyway.
There are heaps of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. AND the many dangers: taipan snakes, funnel web spiders, box-jellyfish, crocs, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like, and he's SPOT ON.
My favourite bit? The trip to Alice Springs with Allan Sherwin. Comedy gold.
Let me say right here that I love Australia—adore it immeasurably—and am smitten anew each time I see it. One of the effects of paying so little attention to Australia is that it is always such a pleasant surprise to find it there. Every cultural instinct and previous experience tells you that when you travel this far you should find, at the very least, people on camels. There should be unrecognizable lettering on the signs, and swarthy men in robes drinking coffee from thimble-sized cups and puffing on hookahs, and rattletrap buses and potholes in the road and a real possibility of disease on everything you touch—but no, it’s not like that at all. This is comfortable and clean and familiar. Apart from a tendency among men of a certain age to wear knee-high socks with shorts, these people are just like you and me. This is wonderful. This is exhilarating. This is why I love to come to Australia.
So, there you go. Should you visit our shores, look no further, go get your copy of "In a Sunburned Country"(*). It's very informative, gives you plenty of info and covers just about everything-Straya.
(*) - Actually my copy goes by the title of "Downunder". I swapped it with this one as, for uknown reasons, GR wouldn't show the sleeve. It's the same book anyway.
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In a Sunburned Country.
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Reading Progress
August 23, 2016
–
Started Reading
August 23, 2016
– Shelved
September 1, 2016
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39.1%
""I tell you sicerely. It's a wonderful country."\n\nI inclined to agree, Bill. :-)"
page
131
September 1, 2016
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48.96%
""I tell you sicerely. It's a wonderful country."\n\nI inclined to agree, Bill."
page
164
September 1, 2016
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51.94%
""They're crazy in Queensland. Madder than cut snakes. You'll like it up there."\n\nHey now!"
page
174
September 2, 2016
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65.07%
"This snapper,” Allan said with forced casualness. “It’s all right, is it?”\n“Oh, yeah. It’s beaut.”\n“I mean, it hasn’t got—what is it, Bryson?”\n“Ciguatera.”\nShe gave us a befuddled look. “No, it comes with chips and salad.”\n\nFucking LOL!"
page
218
September 5, 2016
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80.0%
"“There’s the Alice Springs Desert Park, for one thing.”\nHe inclined his head a fraction. “What’s that?”\n“It’s a nature reserve where they’ve carefully re-created a desert environment.”\n“In the desert?”\n“Yes.”\n“They’ve re-created a desert in the desert? Have I got that right?”\n“Yes.”\n“And you pay money for this?”\n“Yes.”"
page
268
September 7, 2016
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Finished Reading
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Jason
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 07, 2016 09:25AM
I read this recently and it cracked me up. Loved the review!
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Jason wrote: "I read this recently and it cracked me up. Loved the review!"Bryson's the shit! :-)
I love this book; it's especially fine on audiobook (which is read by Bryson himself). My favourite part is where he recounts learning of the existence of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Pool.
