SMITHSWOODSIDE's Full Review: Bill Bryson - In a Sunburned Country
Well, it’s very difficult to work out but my son in law recently went to New York State (I think it’s called) to share some business information with the USA – and what does he buy me, (ever trying to impress) – this bloody book.
Now very innovative, that is – an Australian goes to the USA on a business trip and feeling some ill founded need to placate his old father in law, the consummate Australian himself, decides to buy him a book. Fair enough, but a book on Australia!
As the Yanks say – go figure! Or as we Aussies say – fair dinkum, you coming the raw prawn or what!
Anyway I guess it’s the thought that counts (sure as hell isn’t brains) but said son in law assures me this book is what Yanks judge Australia by – and that is scary.
Not that there is anything wrong with the book – on the contrary it is funny, a damn good read and even has a liberal dose of facts and figures that are even correct.
Understandably young Bill, by his own and frequent admission, finds Australia and the Australian system hard to follow – but of course, any non Australian would, I reckon.
Regardless this book is well worth the price and especially useful I think for Americans to buy and read as it at least gives a view of Australia from the perspective of a Yank. That means, I believe, it is a very useful tool to introduce the country especially any USA citizen considering a visit.
The only proviso is don’t be surprised if you draw some different conclusions.
To be fair Bill Bryson has created a work of art here.
His research is brilliant and he attempts, and succeeds to paint a global picture of a vast country with a small population that is incredibly diverse and difficult enough for the citizens to comprehend, let alone a foreigner. It seems to me a perfect analogy would be to write a book on the USA – also an incredibly diverse country – just with a big population.
From what I have seen personally, and read, one thing both countries share is just that – diversity. So to write a book about the whole country (either way) is a huge challenge.
Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion up, down and over the Appalachian...More at Buy.com
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