World Readers: Land Down Under Beckons

In a Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson, 2000 Peter read an excellent excerpt from the author's trek though the harsh, fly infested Australian outback, in search of the Indian Ocean. Bryson is a well known travel-adventure writer who pens personal and often humorous descriptions of his encounters with man, beast, insect, reptile, and, of course, geography. A previous tome, A Walk in the Woods, described his adventures along the Appalachan trial. Peter described Sunburned Country as an often merry and highly entertaining romp. A Book of Australian and New Zealand Verse, Murdock and Mulgan, editors. Two poems were shared by Michele; the first was "Buffalo Creek", by John Brereton. The poem was a meditation on love. Second was Ethel Turner's "A Boat on the Sea". Michele suggested that the aforementioned vessel was used metaphorically to describe her life experiences. Both selections were introspective and thought provoking. Mutant Message Down Under, Marlo Morgan, 1994 Initially acclaimed as a astounding piece of nonficion, and subsequently reclassified after much strong augument as to the authors veracity, the story revolves around an american healer whose privileged life is forever changed by the remarkable Aboriginal people who take her, initially against her will, on an extended walkabout. Along the way she experiences deepened relationships, increased wisdom and greater understanding of the lifeways of the 30,000 year old tribe, gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of healing. Perhaps similar to Carlos Castenada's "Don Juan" series, the true essence of the story lies in the spiritual understanding gained as a result of the journey. Brian read this book several years ago, and brought it back out for discussion. Following our sharing, a spin of the globe and placement of Peter's index finger produced the topic of our Thursday, February 22 meeting, a spotlight on all things... SAMOAN.