Rating: 
Summary: Late 80s Asia
Review: Pico Iyer has written an interesting set of annecdotes on Asia during the late 80s boom years. It covers the isolation of Burma, the sex trade in Thailand, the night life in Nepal, and everything inbetween. The book takes a deeper view beyond the stereotypes to understand the complexities of the cultural merging.The book really has two main values. First, it gives an annecdotal view of a lifestyle that, while only 15-20 years ago, is already gone. Hong Kong 1986 is a place in transition that is different than Hong Kong today. While many books today provide political and economic viewpoints on the times, and the changes, they don't accurately cover an expats view of life and cultural exchange. The second value is in understanding aspects of the culture that still apply. India's polyclot of ethnic groups and interaction with the West applies today. Pico Iyer is adept at capturing cultural traits that last, and perhaps even grow, despite the pressures of a globalizing world. I'm not a universal fan of all of Iyer's material, but this is certainly one of his better works. It's more readable, and the concepts more universal and lasting than some of his other books.
Rating:
Summary: Iyer is Wonderful to Read
Review: Pico Iyer is one of the best Asia writers out there. His Lady and the Monk: 4 Seasons in Kyoto is by far the most beautiful book I have ever read. It was magical. In many ways his stories in Video Night are just as wonderful. A bit dated, a believe the book was written in the late 80's but still very topical, still very though provocating, and still awesome to read. Iyer has a wondeful ability to tell a story and to make u feel that you are in the places he writes about. Pico Iyer is a great writer and if you like travel narrativer or are interested in Asia, check out his works.
Rating:
Summary: Iyer is Wonderful to Read
Review: Pico Iyer is one of the best Asia writers out there. His Lady and the Monk: 4 Seasons in Kyoto is by far the most beautiful book I have ever read. It was magical. In many ways his stories in Video Night are just as wonderful. A bit dated, a believe the book was written in the late 80's but still very topical, still very though provocating, and still awesome to read. Iyer has a wondeful ability to tell a story and to make u feel that you are in the places he writes about. Pico Iyer is a great writer and if you like travel narrativer or are interested in Asia, check out his works.
Rating:
Summary: Iyer captures the essence of travel in Asia
Review: Places change, but in Asia the essential Difference remains. Iyer conveys the underlying reality, that beneath the veneer of invading Western culture, Asia is still mysterious. The juxtaposition that Iyer describes of Eastern tradition with Western pop culture is one of the most fascinating blends I've come across. His joyful, non-judgemental style is a certain mark of a dedicated traveller. Despite his unfortunate tendency to linger in big cities and red-light districts, Iyer presents an amazingly accurate portrayal of the places he visits. I've been to most of the countries he writes about. Iyer is the first author I've read whose gotten them right.
Rating:
Summary: Iyer captures the essence of travel in Asia
Review: Places change, but in Asia the essential Difference remains. Iyer conveys the underlying reality, that beneath the veneer of invading Western culture, Asia is still mysterious. The juxtaposition that Iyer describes of Eastern tradition with Western pop culture is one of the most fascinating blends I've come across. His joyful, non-judgemental style is a certain mark of a dedicated traveller. Despite his unfortunate tendency to linger in big cities and red-light districts, Iyer presents an amazingly accurate portrayal of the places he visits. I've been to most of the countries he writes about. Iyer is the first author I've read whose gotten them right.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless reporting from ground zero of "west" meeting "east"
Review: This book is excellent. Iyer is not trying to - nor does he in any way claim to - "interpret" or "explain" the countries or people or cultures he is visiting. His goal is to report from the fault line where the colossal mass of Western money and consumer culture bumps up against the even more colossal mass of Asian societies and cultures. This collision produces many fascinating, humorous, and poignant situations which Iyer captures perfectly in his excellent writing. In each country he visits, Iyer is able to identify and bring to the page exactly those details that perfectly symbolize the situations he is writing about. What especially impressed me was that Iyer does not romanticize or glorify or exoticize what is beautiful about the lands he travels to. Nor does he denigrate their shortcomings. He is a fair and honest observer of what he has chosen to observe: the ground zero of "west" meeting "east". As someone who has studied in both China and Thailand (as well as two other Asian countries which were not in the book), I can vouch for the accuracy of what Iyer is reporting. Sure, a scholarly author might have added more details about Chinese philosophy or Thai history. But for his chosen topic, Iyer's accounts are complete and flawless. The book is certainly entertaining, but it is also informative and thought-provoking as well. Well done, Mr. Iyer.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless reporting from ground zero of "west" meeting "east"
Review: This book is excellent. Iyer is not trying to - nor does he in any way claim to - "interpret" or "explain" the countries or people or cultures he is visiting. His goal is to report from the fault line where the colossal mass of Western money and consumer culture bumps up against the even more colossal mass of Asian societies and cultures. This collision produces many fascinating, humorous, and poignant situations which Iyer captures perfectly in his excellent writing. In each country he visits, Iyer is able to identify and bring to the page exactly those details that perfectly symbolize the situations he is writing about. What especially impressed me was that Iyer does not romanticize or glorify or exoticize what is beautiful about the lands he travels to. Nor does he denigrate their shortcomings. He is a fair and honest observer of what he has chosen to observe: the ground zero of "west" meeting "east". As someone who has studied in both China and Thailand (as well as two other Asian countries which were not in the book), I can vouch for the accuracy of what Iyer is reporting. Sure, a scholarly author might have added more details about Chinese philosophy or Thai history. But for his chosen topic, Iyer's accounts are complete and flawless. The book is certainly entertaining, but it is also informative and thought-provoking as well. Well done, Mr. Iyer.
| 
