Down Under by Bill Bryson
#1
Down Under by Bill Bryson
Anyone read it? Just started and am laughing my head off at the Manly Beach escapade where he didn't know what one of those stingy jellyfish were...
Does it stay as funny? I am not yet in Oz so it's interesting to read so far, better than the Residents guide anyhow....:thumbsu p:
Does it stay as funny? I am not yet in Oz so it's interesting to read so far, better than the Residents guide anyhow....:thumbsu p:
#2
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Love that book, must have read it 10 times
Lots of laughs all the way through
Even my Dad has read it and I don't think he's ever finished a book before
Lots of laughs all the way through
Even my Dad has read it and I don't think he's ever finished a book before
#3
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Read it years ago - maybe I should read it again now I live here.
I love his writing and his sense of humour. Hard to believe he's American; must be all those years he's been in Yorkshire.
I love his writing and his sense of humour. Hard to believe he's American; must be all those years he's been in Yorkshire.
#4
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
PP
#5
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Great book.... I like the bit where he falls asleep in the car and ends up drooling. His best book I think.
#6
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
'tis a most excellent book. My favourite bit is when he goes in search of those stromatalites and encounters some yank tourists.
#7
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 697
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Left mine on the train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast which was annoying as it's an extremely boring journey and my daughter wanted to read it.
It's good except for the way he takes the piss out of cricket - typical Yank.
It's good except for the way he takes the piss out of cricket - typical Yank.
#8
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
That's one of the good funny bits for me Cracking book. I loved the deciding to walk around the edge of Sydney harbour and being chased by unseen dogs and ending up in some random woman's garden Great writer.
#9
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
And the bit where he's running from dogs, holding rocks and then runs into the cobweb!
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 300
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
I don't like any of his books.
He wafts around the world with a smug sense of superiority which makes his 'humour' arrogant rather than amusing.
And more often than not he has his facts wrong.
He wafts around the world with a smug sense of superiority which makes his 'humour' arrogant rather than amusing.
And more often than not he has his facts wrong.
#11
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Or could you rec any other books by someone else that cover similar short histories on Oz?
PP
#12
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Shouldn't worry about it. It's not supposed to be an encyclopaedia. It's a journalist humourous account of his travels so it's correct from his point of view with a bit of 'flair' thrown in. Not everyone gets other people's humour - as seen on here on a regular basis
#13
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
Oh sorry - should add - in my humble opinion... of course.
#14
Re: Down Under by Bill Bryson
that last bit always make me think of Uriah Heep in great expectations