Down Under = The worst book I have ever read (Down Under - Bill Bryson)

Member Name: Jessica

Product:	Down Under - Bill Bryson
Date:	20/09/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Any book that you read after this will be good

Disadvantages: Very boring.

It's not often that I have trouble in finishing a book but Bill Bryson's book Down Under is one of the Worst books I have ever read. I can't believe that anyone would want to read an account of a man travelling ALONE around a country (even one as interesting as Australia) who seems to spend more than 80% of his time drinking beers in a pub (alone) and reading old history books that seem to have little reference to important events in Australia's history. He doesn't visit any major Australian tourist attractions (except the Great Barrier Reef, although this could hardly be counted as he doesn't even bother to get off his bottom and go in the water) and he has strange obbsesions including explorers drinking their own urine... (he mentions this particular event at least 10 times during the book, if not more). As a travel novel this is the most useless one I have ever read as when you have finished you find yourself wondering what the hell would be the point going to Australia, when of course there are many great reasons. Honestly, Bill Bryson, you have ashamed us (and especially Aborigines who are a part of our culture).

Summary: dry sarcastic and not at all interesting, scathing and nasty.