Paul Theroux Books
April 10, 1941
Paul Theroux is an American travel writer and novelist whose work is characterized by keen observation and a distinctive style. In his books, he explores not only geographical distances but, more importantly, human nature and the cultural differences he discovers during his journeys. His writing is often ironic, witty, and full of insights that draw readers into the atmosphere of the places visited. Theroux masterfully connects personal experiences with broader social and philosophical reflections.
The Collected Stories
World's End; Sinning with Annie; Jungle Bells; the Consul's File; the London Embassy;
- 672 pages
- 24 hours of reading
Exploring complex themes, this collection of short stories delves into the intricacies of human relationships and societal issues. It addresses the challenges of a failing marriage, the hidden prejudices of a troubled poet, and the late-blooming guilt experienced by a Hindu character. Each narrative is infused with keen observations and sharp wit, offering readers a captivating glimpse into diverse emotional landscapes and moral dilemmas.
Sir Vidia's Shadow
A Friendship Across Five Continents - Updated Edition with a New Postscript
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
A book that chronicles bestselling author's long friendship with writer from its beginning to untimely end with both funny and moving moments and stark honesty.
In this journey, Paul Theroux embarks on an adventurous trek from Cape Town, exploring South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana before venturing into Angola and aiming for the Congo. His quest is not just geographical but also a search for deeper insights and experiences as he navigates diverse landscapes and cultures, reflecting on the complexities of the regions he traverses.
Safely Gathered In
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
In Safely Gathered In, Sarah Schofield probes at the heart of what forms us and what we, in turn, form. The stories collected here expose the spaces that words often fail to reach and examine how objects - both manmade and natural - can reflect the darkest manifestations of grief and disconnection.
Riding the Iron Rooster
By Train Through China
Describes the author's travels by train in every province of the People's Republic of China.
Paul Theroux has spent fifty years crossing the globe, adventuring in the exotic, seeking the rich history and folklore of the far away. Now, for the first time, in his tenth travel book, Theroux explores a piece of America - the Deep South. He finds there a paradoxical place, full of incomparable music and unparalleled cuisine, yet also some of the nation's worst schools, housing and unemployment rates. It's these parts of the South, so often ignored, that have caught Theroux's keen traveller's eye. On road trips spanning four seasons, wending along rural highways, Theroux visits gun shows and small-town churches, labourers in Arkansas, and parts of Mississippi where they still call the farm up the road 'the plantation'. He talks to mayors and social workers, writers and reverends, the working poor and farming families- the unsung heroes of the South, people who despite it all, never left, and also those who returned home to rebuild a place they could never live without. From the writer whose 'great mission has always been to transport us beyond that reading chair, to challenge himself - and thus, to challenge us' (Boston Globe),Deep Southis an ode to a region, vivid and haunting, full of life and loss alike.
Dark Star Safari
- 512 pages
- 18 hours of reading
In this title, Paul Theroux sets off for Cape Town from Cairo - the hard way.
Gathers British stories about India by Kipling, Orwell, and others, that illustrate changing English attitudes
Written in his distinctive and evocative style, Paul Theroux's Fresh-Air Fiend is a collection of his short travel writing from 1985 through 2000. From Hong Kong to Honolulu, through China and the USA, Theroux throws new light on both familiar territories and unknown corners of the earth.
