If I could only figure out how to gloss over his more unnecessary personal ramblings to get the meat that I want, I would. Also from reading others' reviews, I seem to be of the lonely few that found his discussion of the history and current state of Australia interesting and approachable.
Reading others' reviews, it appears the content I'm more interested in (ie, anywhere but the over-discussed south-eastern territories) happens in the second half of the book, but I just can't bring myself to continue. The man's got a voice, I'll give him that, but he's just so very clearly a rather sedentary, middle-aged white dude. I am so sorry, everyone! He is too freaking quaint and self-aware and kind of hypocritical for my tastes and can't get over how quaint the country is to him even in its dangers. Result? I realized too late that I was supposed to read Bill Bryson as a Bill Bryson fan and not because of the content. I'm jonesing to read about Australia right now.ġ) I was obsessed with Australia in grade school and often realize that I still have a lingering fascination with the continent.Ģ) Friends and family have been insisting that I read Bill Bryson for years now. Marred by these issues, however, Down Under is still a jovial read, as Bryson's enjoyment of the country is apparent, and his critique (e.g., a Darwin hotel) is refreshing but not overtly cynical the descriptions of several attractions, such as Uluru, the Sydney Opera House, Kings Park, and Tree Top Walk, are all well-executed, hence likely deserving of recommendation for travel and trivia fans. Contrasting to his other books, such as A Short History of Nearly Everything, the prose is considerably more informal and less elegant. Towards the end, the author also reflects on Tasmania, but it is indubitably disappointing that Bryson did not visit the fascinating island. Besides, the travel accounts are lacking- Bryson fails to narrate numerous key attractions in Melbourne, as well as Adelaide, instead of focusing extensively on the historical background. The author's penchant for the deadly creatures inhabiting the nation is also occasionally vexatious. Compulsively readable, Bryson introduces various humour elements, yet, some are decidedly unspectacular, including him being chased relentlessly by a dog, and repetitive puns on him being sunburnt. Joyful and idiosyncratically Bryson, the book covers the arid, despondent yet intriguing outback (Part 1), eastern and southern coast of Australia (Part 2), and miscellaneous areas around the edges (Part 3), including both remote deserts, as well as Queensland and Western Australia.
The effervescent travel writer Bryson delivers a travelogue pertaining to Australia in Down Under.
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