Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings Audiobook

" Found this collection to be a bit uneven. Admittedly, I did skim some of the essays and entries. Sometimes Theroux can be a wonderfully funny and irreverent travel writer. Other times, he comes off as whiny and crabby. There were some pieces that I absolutely loved, and a few that I skipped. Good if you want to dip in and out, I guess. "

" a disappointing mishmash of protracted essays "

" Not the best Theroux I've read, but still quality if you're going for essay format. Last section is focused entirely on literature/authors - often reads more as book reviews or biographies than otherwise - and I can't say it always held my interest, as I was there for the "travel writings" factor. Still interesting, though, and for the vast majority, met my expectations of another Theroux book. Approve. "

" Collection of short stories, some better than others, not my favorite. "

" Not as good as 'Dark Star Safari'. "

" Great travel book. I love his travelogues when he's on his kayak but I didn't like his China stories as much. Opposed to many of the reviewers I liked the Nantucket kayak story the most! "

" Has a small section on the ability of travel to remove you from your cultural comforts and the effect that it has on your perceptions....the book is a must read for adventurers due to that section alone, the rest is just icing that makes you want to run away from the routine immediately. "

" I would give it 4.5, really. Theroux can be judgmental at times but I have a great admiration for his sense of adventure. "

" Very enjoyable. Paul Theroux is an excellent travel writer, and I look forward to reading more of his books. "

" I enjoyed reading most of this book and enjoyed the descriptive quality of Mr Theroux's writing.He is at his best when writing his impressions of places all the small details that make a book interesting andinformative . Good read "

" I pick up this book whenever and wherever. if you're stuck in a city setting or its nasty outside- this book will keep you motivated and inspired to get out there and get some fresh air "

" Paul Theroux is my favorite travel writer. This book is probably my favorite by him. I read the book while traveling on a train from Hong Kong to Beijing and it was a perfect companion. "

" Paul is a great author. "

" Nice travel reading. Easy to put down and pick up again. "

" I really enjoyed the first portions of the book, when he was talking about his travels and his own writing. However, the last sections didn't do much for me. So I'm mentally giving it 3.5 stars, but that's not an option here. "

" B+ Some really good essays, but others are just a bit dragging; still, quite worthwhile "

" I really liked this book. He seems to be stuck in his head, but what would you expect from a writer. He comes off as a intellectual elitist in his earlier stuff, but he has the skills to pull it off. "

" Few books oscillate this wildly from the profound to the profoundly boring. Paul Theroux, I don't care about each and every one of your kayaking misadventures or the toast you made off Nantucket over a camp fire. I do like some of your other essays though. "

" Probably more of a 3.5. This book is split into distinct and separate chapters, some of which I absolutely loved, others that I didn't and mostly skipped over. "

" Good to read at the beach (in fact much is about the beach). His description of kayaking at Cape Cod, Scotland, Africa, etc. makes it sound enticing. Also has insightful comments at beginning about traveling (why, where, how). "

" Currently listening to the audio book version - on disc 6 of 19, so far so good! "

" Made me want to get a sea kayak. And to live in a small snow-bound hut for a season. "

" Nice travel reading. Easy to put down and pick up again. "

" poignant and insightful reflections on travel to distant lands. as with most travel writing, this is great night/beach reading. as another reviewer noted, it's a bit uneven (not all the essays are great), but overall very solid. readable and intelligent. "

" Collection of short stories, some better than others, not my favorite. "

" I really liked this book. He seems to be stuck in his head, but what would you expect from a writer. He comes off as a intellectual elitist in his earlier stuff, but he has the skills to pull it off. "

" Currently listening to the audio book version - on disc 6 of 19, so far so good! "

" Paul Theroux is my favorite travel writer. This book is probably my favorite by him. I read the book while traveling on a train from Hong Kong to Beijing and it was a perfect companion. <br/> <br/> "

" Few books oscillate this wildly from the profound to the profoundly boring. Paul Theroux, I don't care about each and every one of your kayaking misadventures or the toast you made off Nantucket over a camp fire. I do like some of your other essays though. "