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Down Under - Bill Bryson
by steves001 Very few writers have ever made me literally laugh out loud - but Bryson is one of them. While this may not be one of his very best works, it still has quite a lot going for it. I might not have chosen to read this title but for a slightly dog-eared copy which had been lying around for some time on one of our shelves. Also, I ... had in the past enjoyed similar books by this most popular of authors. It's fair to say that Australia has never really been one of my prime interests, though I do just about remember the emigration programme back in the 60s, the original (1959) Flying Doctor TV series and also Rolf Harris being in the charts for the first time. Still, this was by Bryson so I was prepared to give it a try... Someone once described most people's view of the Iberian peninsula as 'like a polo mint' - with nothing in the middle (and everything of interest around the coast). That might actually be a more accurate description of Bryson's Australia. We're certainly left with a lasting impression of the vast emptiness of the outback. But there's more, much more here. ~~A tale of two trips~~ Originally published in 2000, this paperback edition dates from 2001. It is a personal account of the author's second and third trips to Australia. He had been asked to file a report on the country for The Mail on Sunday magazine, so his expenses were already covered and he certainly travelled far and wide. In common with Bryson's other travel books, this is not a guide as such. It has been aptly described as a travelogue, in which the author recounts places visited and experiences had on his travels throughout the land of Oz. At times travelling solo and sometimes with companions, Bryson regales us with anecdotes and facts galore. At one point he describes his process of observation as 'poking about journalistically'. This seems part serendipity and part research. The extent of his background reading is evident here, as elsewhere in his work, but somehow I found this excessively didactic. Perhaps it was the subject matter, with so much natural history in particular, and the recurring themes of lethal flora and fauna. ~~The wit of Bryson~~ Luckily the book is just saved by the author's easy wit - the light touch so much in evidence in Bryson's writing. This is wit in both senses: intelligence and humour. Without it, the sheer volume of factual information would probably be quite indigestible. Bryson has a gift for the neat turn of phrase. It's his economy of words that lets him cram so much in. There are so many facts and anecdotes here related to Australia's unique natural history, geography, social history, politics etc. The scene is set on page one as we hear that 'in 1967 the Prime Minister [...] was strolling along a beach when he plunged into the surf and vanished'. Apparently he was never seen again. Bryson is doubly astonished by the story and the fact that it was news to him! This establishes a sense of lurking dangers, which becomes a theme verging on the obsession throughout the book. It also seems to hint at alienation and remoteness. Much of Bryson's humour may be quite childish - as with his obsession with explorers driven to drinking their own urine - but I was particularly amused by his inimitable description of his own snoring tendencies. He goes into hilariously graphic detail as he dozes off whilst being driven, in a somewhat jet-lagged state. This starts as follows: 'I snore hugely and helplessly, like a cartoon character, with rubbery flapping lips and prolonged steam-valve exhalations.' And ends with: '... all children under eight [...] clutching their mothers' hems.' The author repeatedly states how much he comes to like Australia and its people. But I was still left with a feeling of slight 'disconnect'. When he does engage with the locals, this may be exceptional; mostly he seems to spend hours and days behind the wheels of hire cars driving through endless vast empty desert space or sitting in bars drinking copious amounts of beer and wine. So, when he does come across something (or someone) of interest this inevitably becomes a highlight! I found his descriptions of Uluru ('Ayers Rock') and other sights interesting, along with his accounts of exploration and immigration, and to some extent his wildlife observations. But his view of tourists at times verges on the patronising. What distinguishes the seasoned 'traveller' from the tourist, I wonder? His attitude to Aborigines has been described as ambivalent too, though basically sympathetic. ~~A land of extremes and contrasts~~ Bryson describes a country/continent of extremes, great contrasts and paradoxes. Perhaps the most telling anecdote is that of the alleged atomic explosion which is said to have taken place in the vast empty spaces of the outback, but not even detected or reported at the time. Certainly gives you a sense of scale and remoteness! Even Bryson, originally from the wide expanses of the United States, holds this in awe. The book vividly conveys the contrast between the extreme inhospitable desert of the outback, lush tropical areas and the even more surprising bits in between. We hear about all manner of extraordinary wildlife, mostly dangerous and unique to Australia. If you find any of this intriguing, you will probably enjoy the story. ~~Recommendation~~ If you're somehow not yet familiar with Bryson's work, perhaps start with something like his autobiographical The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid instead of this(?) But it depends entirely on what interests you. As Bryson has written quite widely, including works on language, science and social history, in addition to his well-known travelogues. Having said that, this book is still well worth trying. It's another witty and entertaining read from Bryson, though perhaps not one of his greatest. ~~Availability & price~~ The paperback edition retails at around £6 but discounted deals are available from under £4, Kindle and audio versions are also available. Check (e.g.) Amazon for full details. -------------------------------------- BRYSON, Bill Down under 400 pages (including extensive bibliography and maps) Publisher: Black Swan, 2001 ISBN-10: 055299703X ISBN-13: 978-0552997034 -------------------------------------- ~~Related links~~ * www.billbryson.co.uk -------------------------------------- [© SteveS001 2011. A version of this original review may appear on other review sites] Read the complete review |
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Bill Bryson African Diary - Bill Bryson
by mrleebob This book is not your typical Bryson offering. Usually, a Bryson book involves several days of hysterical laughter and deep insight. Here, the hysterical laughter and deep insight (perhaps a little less deep) can be read in a couple of hours. This does not devalue the experience, although you can't help but wish it was longer than its 60 ... pages. It's difficult to find fault however when you discover that this book is a charity effort, with all proceeds and royalties going to CARE International. But what does the book actually cover? It covers Bryson's trip to Kenya, an invitation from CARE and details the problems encountered by the Kenyan population, especially AIDS, helping to make you more aware of issues that you possibly wouldn't think of normally. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Bryson manages to inject some of his trademark humour whenever he deems it appropriate. Overall, this is far from an epic. It isn't Bryson at his best. But it does manage to show a different side of Bryson. His narrative is touching and even it is brief, you will have your eyes opened. Plus you will have helped the situation as a result of purchasing the book. Read the complete review |
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Duende: A Journey in Search of Flamenco - Jason Webster
by Starlight81 Duende is a word whose meaning is very difficult to pin down to an exact definition. It is something like the emotion that is evoked in a physical form, such as tears, a smile or a tingle down the spine, produced by a particularly moving piece of art or musical performance. It's most often associated with flamenco because of the ... perceived authenticity of this form of art and the fact that it is so tightly entwined with an often tragic gypsy history and culture within Spain. So, the book is about Jason's search for duende. He's just graduated from Oxford University, having read Arabic and Islamic studies, and is all set for a career in academia. However, his Florentine girlfriend breaks up with him just as he graduates, and he decides that this is the chance he's always wanted- to go and explore Spain, the country that fascinated him when he was a teenager. With this in mind, he sets off for Alicante- a logical starting point, as he already knows someone there. Soon he finds himself caught up in a passionate affair with a flamenco dancer whose husband is known as 'El Killer,' being forced to flee Alicante for Madrid, where he gets mixed up with a group of gypsies who snort cocaine and joyride in between flamenco performances, and finally he ends up in Granada, making friends with a eccentric English woman in her late 70s who has driven to Granada from Surrey, despite apparently having very little driving ability. This is a very interesting read, both from the point of view of Webster's voyage of self discovery, as well as that of his ability to give a view of a Spain most people never see. His outsider perspective, combined with the intimacy of his relationships with some of the outcasts of Spanish society, creates a unique work of non-fiction. He's able to critically analyse his adopted country in a way that a Spaniard probably couldn't, while remaining open-minded enough to try fitting in with the way of life there. His writing style is as accessible as that of Chris Stewart (who wrote 'Driving Over Lemons,' about living in Andalucia) although he describes a completely different personal experience of living in Spain. He often slots in amusing anecdotes, while managing to be very open and honest about his experiences and how they changed him as a person. In fact, he says that being in Spain unlocked a part of his emotions that was kept hidden whilst he lived in England, even from himself. Also, if you find 'Duende' enjoyable, or you want to get a feel for his writing style before trying it, then he has a very good website where you can find articles he's written for various British newspapers, as well as updates on what he's up to now. Incidentally, he apparently now owns a farm in Valencia with his wife, who's a flamenco dancer (though not the one in his first book) and has released a book recently about his experiences on this farm called 'Sacred Sierra.' Here's the web address: http://www.jasonwebster.net/JasonWebster/home.html I highly recommend this book if you've ever been to Spain or are planning a visit, or even just for an interesting read about human nature and the search for meaning in life. Read the complete review |
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1 review Genre: Travel / Travel Book / Author: Jason Webster / Hardcover / 304 Pages / Book is published 2003-01-01 by Doubleday |
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2 reviews Genre: Travel / Travel Book / Author: Bill Bryson / Hardcover / 69 Pages / Book is published 2002-12-02 by Doubleday - Bill Bryson goes to Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, the charity dedicated to working with local communities to eradicate poverty around the world. Kenya, generally regard... |
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24 reviews Genre: Travel / Travel Book / Author: Bill Bryson / Hardcover / 319 Pages / Book is published 2000-07-01 by Doubleday - Australia has more things that can kill you than anywhere else. Nevertheless, Bill Bryson journeyed to the country and promptly fell in love with it. The people are cheerful, their cit... |
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