A safe bet!

I was first introduced to Bill Bryson, and first read Down Under during a 2 year holiday in the UK (I am Australian). It has been a long time since then and I thought this would be a great book to revisit and to cut my teeth on Audible as a new subscriber. The book was a great laugh and Bill portrays Australians and Australia in a way that makes me want to go there! :)

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Bryson Books Need Bryson Narration

I love Bill Bryson's writing, really I do. His books, audiobooks included, are some of my favourite and most revisited. And Down Under is a great book that is wholly ruined by the narrator, a whiny, pinch-voiced man who manages to take Bryson's wit and give it an air of smugness, sometimes bordering on spite. I don't know if I just despised the narrator because he was awful or because he was so utterly unsuitable to read Bryson. It doesn't help that he attempts accents and can't do them, making both English and Australian voices grating and high-pitched.
Honestly, the narrator ruins the book, but if you want this or several of Bryson's other, earlier, books, then this is the standard you get. I loathe abridged books but at least they're read by the man himself.

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great read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As all Bill Bryson books I have read so far this is full of interesting facts that show the countries good and bad points in detail.

What did you like best about this story?

His time spent on the Barrier Reef

What about William Roberts’s performance did you like?

His diction and clearity of voice

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just pure interest

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to listening to his other books having read most already

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alonzo

Very funny,entertaining , please Bill stay with an American accent, your Australian could cause a diplomatic incident, loved the book

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Got it Right Mate

This is an extremely insightful, very funny journey through a magnificent continent. Bryson captures the essence of the Australian landscape and the characters that make it a singularly extraordinary place to travel and live. I acknowledge his outstanding penmanship and appreciate his honest humour and natural affinity for all that is quirky. Well read and captivating. Well done.

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Brilliant work.

Bill Bryson has a way of explaining things in a very humorous way. His passion for history really helps the listener or reader to experience his journey with him. I can't wait to go to some of the places that he described!

Bryson and Roberts - a match made in Heaven

If you could sum up Down Under in three words, what would they be?

Sublime. Wonderful. Superb.

What did you like best about this story?

Thew combination of Bryson's wit and Robert's talent.

Have you listened to any of William Roberts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes!!! This is perhaps the best - his Australian accent is superb!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - again and again!

Any additional comments?

Bryson and Roberts in combination are perfect! As sad as I am to have read the last of the Bryson/Roberts works, I am so pleased I can hear them again and again when I need reminding that the world is a grand and wonderful place!

A first Bill Bryson for me

The story itself held little appeal to me however the viewpoint of Australia from another culture sold me. Bryson does well to make a rather boring story into a mostly entertaining listen.

Great

What was one of the most memorable moments of Down Under?

Is it so through and so well written

Have you listened to any of William Roberts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is good. I mean realy GOOD !!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, no extreme reaction but fun all the way and yes my tear was flowing by laughter.

Making history easier for all

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I listened to this after being recommended to me, it told me more about Australia than I learned in school back n England. I think this should be oven to every migrant. Or at least a migrant book Like it as it would be less dry than official books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Down Under?

Plenty, but especially Eureka stockade

Have you listened to any of William Roberts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Notes from a small island which is a perfect companion

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable, listen to this to give you some detail of the history of OZ but also about he people and places and then make that book you first step to more on Australia