We Come From a Land Down Under
January 2nd, 2006 . by Jilly
I just finished reading In a Sunburned Country. This book is about the journeys of travel writer Bill Bryson in Australia. I’m not surprised that I really liked this book; I’ve yet to read anything by him that I didn’t like. His writing is funny and insightful, including many historical facts told in an interesting way. Bryson’s got a knack for telling a good story. A couple times I actually laughed out loud, while reading this book. This is a terrific read.
Bryson tours the outback, the big cities, the coastline. Bryson relays his fixation on the dangers of Australia (from being stranded in the outback and having to drink your own urine, to jellyfish, poisonous snakes, and stories of crocodile attacks). I thought it was amazing how there’s so much of Australia that is still untouched and unexplored. Australia has so much to see and do, but its like we forget that Australia’s there.
One of my favorite stories out of the book, is when Bill and his friend, Allan, end up spending the night in Daly Waters (a very small town). There’s nothing to do in the town so they hit the bar and start drinking. They have a drunken night of fun and Bill wakes up remembering very little. The next morning Bill asks Allan, “Did I disgrace myself?” Allan says,”No, but you’re doing a house swap next summer with a family from Korea”. Bill says,”You’re making this up, right?” Allan pulls a business card out of Bill’s pocket that says “Park Ho Lee, Meat Wholesaler”. Underneath it in Bill’s handwriting it said, “June 27-August 10. No Worries.”
The last paragraph of the book says…
Australia is mostly empty and a long way away. Its population is small and its role in the world consequently peripheral. It doesn’t have coups, recklessly overfish, arm disagreeable despots, grow coca in provocative quantities, or throw its weight a round in a brash and unseemly manner. It is stable and peaceful and good. It doesn’t need watching, and so we don’t. But I will tell you this: the loss is entirely yours.
It seems like Bryson is pleading with his readers, don’t overlook this place. Not that he needs to, this book has more than whet my appetite. I’ll admit that previous to reading this book, my knowledge (or should I say ignorance?) of Australia has been limited to INXS, Nick Cave, and Vegemite. I never knew what a mix Australia is of American and British influence. Save for the things Quinton and Daniel have told me about their journies, I knew very little about this country. This book is great. One of these days, Jason and I are just gonna have to go and see for ourselves.
