Fresh Air Fiend : Travel Writings

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Summary: The follow up for his other books
Review: A wonderful travel book, don't read this at home bring it with you on a travel, this book is as a folowup for his other books. i liked it very much.

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Summary: Not the usual Theroux
Review: An ok book, but not the old Theroux of the travel days. Just a warning to those looking for more of the same.

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Summary: Origin of the title "Fresh Air Fiend"?
Review: Anything Theroux writes is worth reading, whether or not you agree with the "grumpy" label. I've returned to this book a number of times to reread various of the essays, all of which have staying power.

Regarding the title of this collection: the following is from "John Dough and the Cherub", L. Frank Baum, 1906:

"How did you happen to be where I fell?" he asked, turning to the little man again.

"I always sleep on the sands," replied the other, wagging his head solemnly. "It's my fad. Fresh air, you know. I'm called the 'Fresh-Air Fiend.' I suppose you're a new inhabitant. You seem rather queer."

"I'm made of gingerbread," said John.

"Well, that certainly is unusual, so I've no doubt you will be warmly welcomed in our Island," replied the man.

"But where am I?" asked John, looking around again with a puzzled expression.

"This is the Isle of Phreex," answered the other, "and it is inhabited by unusual people. I'm one, and you're another."

Rating:
Summary: A Moving Read
Review: As a once world traveler I was empowered by Mr. Theroux' writings. They encompassed not only the beauty, confusion and enlightenment of travel, but also the baffling loneliness and inevitable ethnocentrism. I found myself nodding in agreement, and moved that someone else had spoken truths about me of which I was not aware. It is not only the journey of a body, but the journey of a man through his life. This is a must read for anyone wondering about the world outside and the world within.

JT

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Summary: An American Original
Review: Big Paul does it again -- a more original, eloquent voice in American essays could not be found (other than in Italy, where Gore Vidal nows lives). Buy it today if you want literate, insightful commentary on the world around you.

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Summary: No hassle escapism, adventure and solitude - by proxy
Review: Hello,

That Mr. Theroux fellow spins a darn good travel yarn. His books are filled with great anecdotes, chance encounters, brief and enchanting perspectives, peace, friendship, solitude, isolation, fear, doubt, uncertainity and just enough egoism to keep you reminded about who's doing the travelling and who's telling the story.

This is the stuff to make the dreary commute to downtown 9 to 5 anonimity seem like an adventure, and at least one of Therouxs books must be recommended as essential luggage for any budding interprid explorer, even if you are just going from Sunnyvale to SF.

What makes Therouxs books so special is that they entice the reader to read on, even when you might be thinking "what a conceited so and so", after all, our reactions may only be a the result of a curious cocktail of our reflections, our own inadequacies and desires and the fact we haven't gotten up enough courage to actually do what one of the greatest travel writers of our times has already done.

Been there, done that and written a best seller to prove it! Way to go!

Regards,

[e-mail]

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Summary: The Secrets of His Writing...
Review: I have just started to read this book, however, I can say that this collection of his published articles is the best insight into his writing & travel books which I have ever read. I definetly recommend it.

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Summary: A New Way to Travel
Review: I have not previously read Paul Theroux so I cannot compare "Fresh-Air Fiend" against the margin of his prolific output. But as someone who travels extensively for a living and for pleasure, I can tell you that Theroux certainly gives new meaning to the world "travel writer".

With ascerbic wit he provides a wake-up call to those whose travel rarely goes beyond the tour bus window. He gives rich detail to his writing -- describing not only the place but the skies, the earth, the flora, the people, the smells. Travel is not always about destination but the journey to get there and Theroux is a master at bringing us to the very place he happens to be. His mix of political and historical commentary also pauses the reader to think of places beyond their obvious pleasures,colors and travel brochure facts.

He has a rare and candid ability to introduce the reader not only to the people living at the source but also those traveling to the source. We find humor in his descriptions and yet wonder if we could be laughing at our very selves. Through his eyes we become better travelers and from his voice we give second thought to the impact we hope to make as we travel throughout the world.

His travels in Africa are breathlessly exciting; his early thoughts from visiting China are eeirly accurate; his adventures in kayaks will have us all paddling in strange waters and seeing the world, perhaps for the first time.

His stories of his stories are fascinating and we applaud him for introducing us to his favorite writers and works of travel. He leaves us with much to think about and volumes of other's work to absorb. This is a wonderful guide book for anyone who likes to travel, hopes to travel or simply enjoys colorful, well-written, thoughful detail on places and people near and far.

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Summary: Theroux the philosopher?
Review: I will buy (even pre-order) a book by Paul Theroux knowing I will have a page-turner in my hands when I receive it. I found "Fresh Air Fiend" incredibly difficult to enjoy. The few straight travel pieces were entertaining. The more superior than thou attitude I read in his writing on Thoreau and others made me ask...who does he think he is? This is one of Theroux's books I would not recommend.

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Summary: Dislocation
Review: I'm from the Philippines, but have lived the last 20 years in California. I am a voracious reader and can tell you that there is no other living writer-- with the exception, perhaps, of V.S. Naipaul-- who captures my sense of dislocation better than Paul Theroux. I was incredibly moved by this book. His article on Palawan, in the Philippines, shows tenderness. I do not find him "grumpy"-- I find him true. Even when he quotes a Filipino about eating dogs (such a stereotype!) I found the anecdote, the way it was written, completely hilarious. He has a great sense of comic timing. The one thing I would disagree with him on: he dismisses Manuel Elizalde ("discoverer" of the Tasaday tribe) as a man suffering from delusions of grandeur. This may be true, but Elizalde was also genuinely interested in preserving the Tasaday environment from loggers. We have to give him some credit for doing that.