American-born Paul Theroux had lived in England for 11 years when he realized he'd explored dozens of exotic locations without discovering anything about his adopted home. So, with a knapsack on his back, he set out to explore by walking and by short train trips. The result is a witty, observant and often acerbic look at an ever eccentric assortments of Brits in all shapes and sizes.
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"Refers to book on tape. I am very fond of Paul Theroux's writing, travel journals and novels. This is no exception. Kinda killed my travel lust for going to visit Africa though. I had always dreamed of visited Egypt. My vision is very different from his description. I think I'll pass. " — Judi (4 out of 5 stars)
"Refers to book on tape. I am very fond of Paul Theroux's writing, travel journals and novels. This is no exception. Kinda killed my travel lust for going to visit Africa though. I had always dreamed of visited Egypt. My vision is very different from his description. I think I'll pass. "
" Listened to this as an audio book. It is one of Theroux's earliest books and is not nearly as good as his later ones. His description of Jan Morris, the travel writer, is one of the best parts of the book. "
" I've heard so many good things about Theroux's travel writing but this is the only such book I've read. I picked it up before an extended trip to Ireland and England. It was like traveling with a grumpy curmudgeon. I just couldn't take it anymore and abandoned the book. I was admittedly younger then. Maybe I have become sufficiently curmudgeonly myself now that I can appreciate Theroux's dour mood. Some day... "
" This should be subtitles the Cranky Snob's guide to the UK.... "
" I made it a little past Brighton before I put the book down. I found it dreary reading -- though more than once I did think that 1982 Britain might have been an awfully dreary place to be. So maybe it's not Theroux's fault. "
" I was very underwhelmed by this book (it was an audio). Perhaps it was the reading, but Theroux didn't give me any great insights to England and actually, he was a bit blase. Don't bother. "
" This wasn't Theroux's best book. My review may be colored by the depressed state in which he found Great Britain. I found his adventures in Ulster and Scotland most interesting. "
" I really liked this book. But then I'm an Anglophile. I enjoy Theroux's sometimes sardonic commentaries on the places he visits and writes about. "
" Most notable (for me) is Theroux's meeting with Jonathan Raban, doing his own trek around England except by water in Coasting. I lean more towards Raban's highly personal, meditative journey. "
" one of his best - funny, witty and facinating. "
" Kingdom = St. Andrews. This book made me want to walk the walk around the coast of Great Britain. "
" While the author was very cynical instead of being funny, as he thought he was, I learned a lot about Britain in the early 80s, worth it just for the history lesson. "
" Quite enjoyable. A travel book about the atmosphere and the people of Britain, rather than about the sights. "
" A- Another good one by Theroux; England isn't as exotic or exciting as some locales, but still, engaging. "
" Another great book by Paul Theroux! This one takes place in England in 1983 during the Falkland Islands War. "
" I'm enjoying this. I do wish there were not so much negativity though. "
" Paul Theroux can be a grumpy traveler, but I have enjoyed all his travel books. This one looked like it might be an exception until he got to Scotland. He seemed to find some joy in Scotland. Up until then one got the feeling he found the whole thing a waste of time. "
" it feeds my rabid anglophile. my favourite travel book about england, next to bill bryson's notes from a small island. "
" Flat writing, boring, bitter, condescending, etc. Theroux has written greatly elsewhere. Read Riding the Iron Rooster, or really just about anything else. "
" Some parts were interesting but many parts were boring and wordy. It needed to be pruned to about half its current size. I also felt a little bad for his wife and children, left at home while their husband/father goes off travelling for months on end because he's bored by home life. "
" travel book with good insight to africa "
" Well written. Even though the guy's a jerk. "
" Paul Theroux never takes the safe route. In this travelogue he starts in Cairo and travels over land to Cape Town, South Africa. You will not believe what encounters along the way. From rastafarians to the mysterious Sudanese to evil aide workers - you will be riveted. "
" I love this book. Reading it while traveling in Africa was a very interesting experience. I think Theroux gave voice to a lot of what I was feeling at the time. He has a literary voice that really makes me love his biographical works -- they're funny, irreverent, but still serious. "
" Amazingly timely, often hilarious, moving, thought-provoking, sobering, depressing, and joyous. Everything a book should be. I couldn't put it down. "
" Excellent -- flavourful -- like traveling on the author's shoulder, seeing, tasting, hearing and fearing what he experiences. "
" Love this author. Love most any travel book about Africa. "
Paul Theroux is the author of many highly acclaimed novels and travel books. His novels include A Dead Hand and The Mosquito Coast, an international bestseller and the basis of the major motion picture. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.
Ron Keith, a native of England, graduated from the University of Manchester. He has appeared in the Broadway touring production of Amadeus, in off-Broadway productions such as Hedda Gabler, My Fair Lady, and Candida, and in many regional stage productions. His television appearances include roles in One Life to Live and As the World Turns.
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