Down Under
Bill Bryson
Jolly amusing typical Bryson story. He likes Australia (although
his affection is markedly different from that he shows for
Britain), which perhaps removes a few of his barbs. Bryson
appears obsessed, amusing, by the apparently unjustified toxicity
of much of the wildlife, particularly the box jellyfish.
He tells anecdotes to illustrate the hugeness of this
country/continent, which make the point pretty well.
Seán enjoyed the book, but it's not his best - and one
of the anecdotes was strongly reminiscent of one from another
book (but couldn't quite place it).
Seán 21/4/02
This is on a par with other Bryson works, despite being
criticised at the time it was published. It contains the usual
stuff about Australia - it's the driest, hottest flattest place
and it has the deadliest fauna. Gill laughed out loud.
Gill 3/11/02
I enjoyed this. Quite a lot of good laughs with a high percentage
of stories of gruesome deaths with nasty animals. Stories of the
early explores who died (usually after drinking their own urine).
Some interesting stuff about the Aborigines who have been there
for at least 50,0000 years
Rory 14/9/03
By the same author
The frames have
gone all funny - click to make it good.