Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jkelly80]

So I picked up Riding the Iron Rooster at What the Book and now I want to read The Great Railway Bazaar, but they don't have it and it will take 4-8 weeks. That's too long. Does anyone know where to get my hands on a copy of this book or some of his others? I know lending a book to a total stranger is kind of a weird thing to do but this guy is great. Thanks all.

[plato's republic]

I read Riding The Iron Rooster a few years back and really enjoyed it. What did you think of it? Haven't read any of his other books though.

[jkelly80]

I thought it was great. It's the only I've read as well and I'm like a junkie now.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Someone called Theroux the best travel writer in the business. I agree. I've read several--Patagonian Express and Happy Isles--in addition to the two already mentioned. Enjoyed all of them, but Iron Rooster was the best, in my opinion.

[Chamchiman]

Coming out of India, The Great Railway Bazaar was the one book I was looking for. Found it in a hole in the wall in Thailand. It'll be worth the wait. Besides Riding the Iron Rooster, the only other book by Theroux I've read was The Mosquito Coast - check it out if you like descents into madness.

I don't know what you're into, but if you're looking for a travel book to read in the meantime, check out either Korea or The River at the Centre of the World by Simon Winchester. He doesn't write in the same style as Theroux, but I prefer Winchester because he's a little less about using travel as a context in which to give biting commentary on humans and their condition and a little more about the historical and cultural context of the adventure. You might also try In Xanadu by William Dalrymple. I haven't read that book myself yet, but it did say, "The new Theroux!" on the back cover, so I bought it immediately.

[tfunk]

-sorry, drunk post insulting the world -

[pugwall]

Dark Star Safari was superb

[jkelly80]

[Arthur Dent]

I read Mosquito Coast over 20 years ago and then began reading all of Theroux's other books, anxiously awaiting the next one as soon as I had finished the last.

Still, the best travel work, in my opinion is The Great Railway Bazaar. It is the most vivid in its portrayal of people and places. He said his heart was in his mouth the entire time. Probably why it was so successful. That kind of fear makes one pay close attention to detail. I agree with Chamchiman that it will be worth the wait. I'd loan you mine but it is out at the moment. Even Borges said he 'read' it once every year.

His fiction, while less successful, is still quite good. Try Milroy the Magician (especially Milroy!!!) or My Secret Life (or My Other Life). Blinding Light is interesting, and the latest, The Elephanta Suite is also good. Hotel Honolulu and The Stranger at the Palazzo D'Oro, were better.

For more of his non-fiction, in short form, get a copy of Sunrise with Seamonsters. One of the best collected works of non-fiction on a broad variety of topics that I have ever read.

In my view, Theroux's strength is not simply his skepticism but his willingness to work through what he sees along with his reader. Close attention to detail and dogged persistence pay off.

I also read Winchester's book, quite good.

For more good travel writing I would suggest Jonathan Raban's two books about the U.S. - Hunting for Mr. Heartbreak and Old Glory.

If you have a taste for something a little older - Robert Byron's Road to Oxiana (he traces the origins of architecture through the Near and Middle East) and another about Russia (a particularly vivid description of Tibet is in this one) named First Russia, then Tibet, or still older, if you can find it, Eothen by Kinglake. Never mind clearing customs at the airports of today, try it when the Black Plague had shut off whole continents from each other.

Of course, Herodotus and The Odyssey should be mentioned, though neither is, strictly speaking, a travel book, you might say they are two of the origins of the genre....

Interestingly, Theroux and Raban are friends and even run into each other while writing separate books about the British Isles. Additionally, Bruce Chatwin was also a friend. Though his Songlines was popular, it was probably one his less well constructed works. His best, which outshines almost all the ones I have mentioned is rarely heard of (by me anyways) and it is a wonderful book.....On the Black Hill, about twin brothers on the English-Welsh border. He removes himself completely - unlike most of his other works - and the result is.....well, read it for yourself.

But listen to me......enough already....

Wait! The Happy Isles deserves another mention. Excellent!

[sundubuman]

Theroux kicks ass...

millroythemagician and Happy Isles are my favorite fic/non-fic

[Thwartley]

I liked My Secret History. A deadbeat drifts around the world shagging women and teaching English.

The Mosquito Coast never really appealed to me though that's probably because the Hollywood movie was utter rubbish. It would probably be worth trying based on some comments here.

Another book by him, forget the name, about someone working in the American embassy in London was OK but nothing special.

[tomwaits]

I picked up a Collected Travel Writings of PT which gives a sampling af all his travel books. But they are all worth reading.

Of his fiction I can only remember reading Chicago Loop -a good novella.

[jkelly80]

[Hollywoodaction]

You guys all know he's Louis Theroux's dad, right?

[Arthur Dent]

He was blind by the time Theroux met him, but I am not certain for how long before. Whether he read them in Braille or by eye, or both, I can't say, but I was referring to the fact that he was blind. I am fairly sure he could read in English, but there are certainly Spanish versions of Theroux's books.

And yes, Louis Theroux is his son. His other son, Marcel Theroux is also a writer.