Down Under

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  • Author: Bill Bryson
  • Publisher: Black Swan
  • Catalogue: 99737
  • Size: 13x20cm
Bill Bryson journeys Down Under to travel the world’s largest island, the only island that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. It’s the only continent discovered from the sea and the only nation to start life as a prison. And Bryson can’t remember the prime minister’s name.

But he does know many intriguing and amusing facts about the land, such as how their prime minister disappeared in 1967 when he was walking along the beach in Victoria before plunging into the surf and never being seen again.

Bryson’s style for telling us things we should already know works extremely well for this odd continent. He litters nearly every page with descriptions of their lethal fauna and flora and revels in the extremity of living with such creatures, but continually questions why the population should then be so laid-back and relaxed. It’s an endearing and infectious portrait.