Shocking Report: Paul Theroux Has An Ego

Robert Macfarlane rips Paul Theroux and his latest book, Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, a new one in today's NYT book review. Theroux in his latest book retraces his 1973-74 lap around Eurasia, mostly by train, which he documented in The Great Railway Bazaar.

There's no question that Theroux is a curmudgeon with an overinflated ego. But that's what makes his travel tales and observations so entertaining. Macfarlane criticizes Theroux's lack of intellectual curiosity and vigor, but Theroux is not writing a post-doc paper for a foreign policy think tank. It is, in the end, just travel lit.


Macfarlane does make a Seinfeld-ian observation in his comparison between BO and writing style:

"Certain writers have a style that can be best likened to body odor: irresistible to some, obnoxious to many and apparently imperceptible to the writer himself. Theroux’s lack of self-awareness, his failure to observe the basic hygiene of modesty, is compelling in its way. How can anyone be this narcissistic, you wonder in disbelief, in appalled fascination."


Despite the review, and perhaps because of the review, I look even more forward to reading Theroux's latest work. I intend to approach it slightly differently. I will read one chapter of Bazaar, followed by the corresponding chapter in Ghost Train, then back to Bazaar, etc. I think this will best illustrate, in my mind's eye, the changes in the countries Theroux visited over the last 30 years, and the changes in Theroux himself.

As a side note, I came across Ghost Train at the local book store yesterday for the list price of $28. It is available on Amazon for $18. Unless you have a lot of disposable income and are committed to supporting local businesses, I don't see why any sane person would pay full price. I, for one, am getting mine on Amazon with the free shipping option.

CKY