The first thing you should know about Australia is that if you’re travelling to it from North America, you will lose a full day of your life, whether you like it or not. The second thing you should know about Australia is that nearly all of the “world’s deadliest so-and-sos” are from there, so the chances of being poisoned to death while you’re visiting are high.
These are the first lessons that Bill Bryson teaches his readers in his book, In a Sunburned Country. Then he throws caution to the wind and travels around the country, managing to escape killer sharks, deadly jellyfish, and potentially rabid dogs.
Comedic Tone Keeps Readers Engaged, Teaches Them a Thing or Two
Throughout the book, Bryson recounts his travels by presenting readers with a constant flow of comedy, which proves to not only be extremely enjoyable, but also helps with the absorption of knowledge and historical fact. It becomes obvious very early on that Bryson is fully aware of how dry and boring history can be to read, and he tackles this problem immediately by bringing his facts to life. He always draws attention to the quirky side of the story, making his anecdotes unforgettable.
Because Bryson takes such an informal, conversational tone with the reader, you can’t help but feel as though he is directly addressing you all of the time. He paints pictures of his friends and travel companions and you instantly feel you know them. You can’t help but laugh at their idiosyncrasies because you personally know someone who does the same things. You become so involved with the story that you become the “You” to whom Bryson is speaking.
Bryson’s Self-Deprecating Attitude Makes for an Honest, Amusing Read
Bryson’s strongest characterization is of his own character. He is not ashamed to make fun of himself or admit to saying and feeling silly things, and you can’t help but love him for it. After all, the things he admits to are things that most people do, but are too afraid or embarrassed to talk about.
Perhaps the most vivid portion of the book takes place when Bryson gets lost in a park and finds himself being chased by dogs. His only escape is to climb a wall into someone’s private backyard. At that very moment, he turns the point of view around 180 degrees, illustrating for the reader how mentally unhinged he must have appeared to the person whose yard he had just invaded. The passage is so intensely funny because it feels so honest and real.
The only downside to In a Sunburned Country is that it goes on just a bit too long, and ultimately becomes somewhat repetitive. Such a distinct method of storytelling always runs the risk of becoming tiring after 200 pages, and Bryson is no different. Still, it’s definitely worth it to get to the end, even if you need a Bryson break for a while after finishing the book. Once you’ve had a breather, you’ll find yourself looking for more.
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Anchor Canada, 2000
ISBN: 0385259417
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