Not having read Theroux but aware of his reputation, i’d be interested to read comments from those familiar with his work, and indeed the work of Raban.
This article is a fine tribute, but i can’t escape the feeling, alluded to by Theroux, that this type of writing is disappearing and there’s a redolence of a bygone age.
I can recommend Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast. Something that has stuck with me is the description of the book’s main character by another as “the worst kind of pain in the ass: the kind that’s sometimes right”.
The only Theroux I’ve read, probably about 30 years ago, is his novel The Mosquito Coast, which I remember enjoying. I had a comparably high estimation of Raban’s travelogue Arabia, which I read around the same time.
I can recommend Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast. Something that has stuck with me is the description of the book’s main character by another as “the worst kind of pain in the ass: the kind that’s sometimes right”.
The only Theroux I’ve read, probably about 30 years ago, is his novel The Mosquito Coast, which I remember enjoying. I had a comparably high estimation of Raban’s travelogue Arabia, which I read around the same time.
Steve Murray
1 year ago
Not having read Theroux but aware of his reputation, i’d be interested to read comments from those familiar with his work, and indeed the work of Raban.
This article is a fine tribute, but i can’t escape the feeling, alluded to by Theroux, that this type of writing is disappearing and there’s a redolence of a bygone age.
Malcolm Webb
1 year ago
Thank you for this interesting and affectionate reflection on a strong personality by a fine friend – and a good nudge towards some literature which I will now search out to read Occasionally finding something like this is another reason why I delve into Unherd almost every day.
Malcolm Webb
1 year ago
Thank you for this interesting and affectionate reflection on a strong personality by a fine friend – and a good nudge towards some literature which I will now search out to read Occasionally finding something like this is another reason why I delve into Unherd almost every day.
chris sullivan
1 year ago
I have read pretty much all of Thoreau and Raban – all thought provoking and entertaining – no surprize that they were a great partnership – and one half now sorely missed .RIP Jonathan. I will read my copy of Passage to Juneau again in remembrance……….
chris sullivan
1 year ago
I have read pretty much all of Thoreau and Raban – all thought provoking and entertaining – no surprize that they were a great partnership – and one half now sorely missed .RIP Jonathan. I will read my copy of Passage to Juneau again in remembrance……….
Richard Craven
1 year ago
Many years ago I read and loved his travelogue Arabia, and have always regretted not reading more of his writings.
Many years ago I read and loved his travelogue Arabia, and have always regretted not reading more of his writings.
Brendan O'Leary
1 year ago
Unherd’s gain is the rest of the media’s loss with this wonderful piece.
I have read and enjoyed every novel and story of Paul’s, as well as his renowned travel books. His recommendations drove me to Jonathan Raban and Bruce Chatwin and caused me to take another look at VS Naipaul.
Brendan O'Leary
1 year ago
Unherd’s gain is the rest of the media’s loss with this wonderful piece.
I have read and enjoyed every novel and story of Paul’s, as well as his renowned travel books. His recommendations drove me to Jonathan Raban and Bruce Chatwin and caused me to take another look at VS Naipaul.
sheila mccarthy
1 year ago
Sir Vidia’s Shadow – Theroux’s book about his friendship with VS Naipaul is truly brilliant. An ultimately loving memoir of a friendship that went sour.
I also loved his Dark Star Safari…his journey from Cairo to Cape Town.
Yes, Dark Star Safari is a remarkable book, well worth the time. He undertook the journey, in part, to coincide with his 60th year and celebrated the Birthday upon arrival in South Africa. Sadly, as with some of his other extensive travels — through China and South America for example — such a journey would be impossible today.
’My Secret History’ – a (semi) fictionalised autobiography is fascinating. BTW the meeting between Theroux and Jonathan Rabin RIP receives hilariously different write-ups in their respective travel books.
Yes, Dark Star Safari is a remarkable book, well worth the time. He undertook the journey, in part, to coincide with his 60th year and celebrated the Birthday upon arrival in South Africa. Sadly, as with some of his other extensive travels — through China and South America for example — such a journey would be impossible today.
’My Secret History’ – a (semi) fictionalised autobiography is fascinating. BTW the meeting between Theroux and Jonathan Rabin RIP receives hilariously different write-ups in their respective travel books.
sheila mccarthy
1 year ago
Sir Vidia’s Shadow – Theroux’s book about his friendship with VS Naipaul is truly brilliant. An ultimately loving memoir of a friendship that went sour.
I also loved his Dark Star Safari…his journey from Cairo to Cape Town.
Not having read Theroux but aware of his reputation, i’d be interested to read comments from those familiar with his work, and indeed the work of Raban.
This article is a fine tribute, but i can’t escape the feeling, alluded to by Theroux, that this type of writing is disappearing and there’s a redolence of a bygone age.
I can recommend Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast. Something that has stuck with me is the description of the book’s main character by another as “the worst kind of pain in the ass: the kind that’s sometimes right”.
The only Theroux I’ve read, probably about 30 years ago, is his novel The Mosquito Coast, which I remember enjoying. I had a comparably high estimation of Raban’s travelogue Arabia, which I read around the same time.
Thanks to both for replies. I’ll look up The Mosquito Coast.
Thanks to both for replies. I’ll look up The Mosquito Coast.
I can recommend Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast. Something that has stuck with me is the description of the book’s main character by another as “the worst kind of pain in the ass: the kind that’s sometimes right”.
The only Theroux I’ve read, probably about 30 years ago, is his novel The Mosquito Coast, which I remember enjoying. I had a comparably high estimation of Raban’s travelogue Arabia, which I read around the same time.
Not having read Theroux but aware of his reputation, i’d be interested to read comments from those familiar with his work, and indeed the work of Raban.
This article is a fine tribute, but i can’t escape the feeling, alluded to by Theroux, that this type of writing is disappearing and there’s a redolence of a bygone age.
Thank you for this interesting and affectionate reflection on a strong personality by a fine friend – and a good nudge towards some literature which I will now search out to read Occasionally finding something like this is another reason why I delve into Unherd almost every day.
Thank you for this interesting and affectionate reflection on a strong personality by a fine friend – and a good nudge towards some literature which I will now search out to read Occasionally finding something like this is another reason why I delve into Unherd almost every day.
I have read pretty much all of Thoreau and Raban – all thought provoking and entertaining – no surprize that they were a great partnership – and one half now sorely missed .RIP Jonathan. I will read my copy of Passage to Juneau again in remembrance……….
I have read pretty much all of Thoreau and Raban – all thought provoking and entertaining – no surprize that they were a great partnership – and one half now sorely missed .RIP Jonathan. I will read my copy of Passage to Juneau again in remembrance……….
Many years ago I read and loved his travelogue Arabia, and have always regretted not reading more of his writings.
I also enjoyed Arabia, but for my money the late Dervla Murphy was unbeatable, particularly the Ethiopian adventure with her ‘beloved’ mule ‘Jock’.
ps. You maybe delighted to hear that ‘Rubber Johnny’ Holland (aka Thorax ) returned to the fray last night!
As below.
I also enjoyed Arabia, but for my money the late Dervla Murphy was unbeatable, particularly the Ethiopian adventure with her ‘beloved’ mule ‘Jock’.
ps. You maybe delighted to hear that ‘Rubber Johnny’ Holland (aka Thorax ) returned to the fray last night!
As below.
Many years ago I read and loved his travelogue Arabia, and have always regretted not reading more of his writings.
Unherd’s gain is the rest of the media’s loss with this wonderful piece.
I have read and enjoyed every novel and story of Paul’s, as well as his renowned travel books. His recommendations drove me to Jonathan Raban and Bruce Chatwin and caused me to take another look at VS Naipaul.
Unherd’s gain is the rest of the media’s loss with this wonderful piece.
I have read and enjoyed every novel and story of Paul’s, as well as his renowned travel books. His recommendations drove me to Jonathan Raban and Bruce Chatwin and caused me to take another look at VS Naipaul.
Sir Vidia’s Shadow – Theroux’s book about his friendship with VS Naipaul is truly brilliant. An ultimately loving memoir of a friendship that went sour.
I also loved his Dark Star Safari…his journey from Cairo to Cape Town.
Yes, Dark Star Safari is a remarkable book, well worth the time. He undertook the journey, in part, to coincide with his 60th year and celebrated the Birthday upon arrival in South Africa. Sadly, as with some of his other extensive travels — through China and South America for example — such a journey would be impossible today.
’My Secret History’ – a (semi) fictionalised autobiography is fascinating. BTW the meeting between Theroux and Jonathan Rabin RIP receives hilariously different write-ups in their respective travel books.
Yes, Dark Star Safari is a remarkable book, well worth the time. He undertook the journey, in part, to coincide with his 60th year and celebrated the Birthday upon arrival in South Africa. Sadly, as with some of his other extensive travels — through China and South America for example — such a journey would be impossible today.
’My Secret History’ – a (semi) fictionalised autobiography is fascinating. BTW the meeting between Theroux and Jonathan Rabin RIP receives hilariously different write-ups in their respective travel books.
Sir Vidia’s Shadow – Theroux’s book about his friendship with VS Naipaul is truly brilliant. An ultimately loving memoir of a friendship that went sour.
I also loved his Dark Star Safari…his journey from Cairo to Cape Town.
Slow censorship.