Paul Theroux has written many books, short stories and articles themed around travel. His latest offering, The Tao of Travel, is a wise man’s offering to his followers. The book contains a mix of observations, guidance and memoirs, combined with the literary travelling tales of writers from the medieval times through to contemporary authors.
As someone who would like to think of herself as just beginning on a long journey of writing about my travel experiences, it was an absolute pleasure to listen to master of the craft.
I only started reading the work of Paul Theroux about two years ago but in that time I have devoured books like 'The Dark Star Safari, The Kingdom by the Sea, The Patagonia Express and many, many more. His latest book - 'The Tao of Travel' is slightly different but nonetheless very entertaining and a must-read for anyone with any sort of aspiration towards travelling or travel writing.
At a talk at the Southbank Centre, London, the audience were treated to Paul Theroux at his eloquent best. A question would get an answer, but that would be accompanied by a whole lot more – reminisces about people he has met on his travels, political comment on countries he has visited, and an insight into the reasons why he set off on his 50-year odyssey.
Being told to ‘play outdoors’ as a six-year-old was the catalyst to Theroux’s travelling career. Every time he was told to play outside, his travels took him a little further, until one day he went and did not return for three months.
Leaving home is the key to all travel, and Theroux is not shy of naming those authors who maintain an appearance of world knowledge, when in fact they have rarely left home. Equally, he is quick to deride those that write as hardened, lone travellers when they have taken their trip with spouses, children and an entourage of supporters.
To world leaders he suggests that the only way to get to know a country is to live at its frontier or border for a minimum of three months. Arriving at the main airport, visiting the head of state and staying in opulent hotels is no way to get to know a country or its people.
The Tao of Travel retains the best of Theroux – dryly observed insights and a feeling that this is a person who has seen into the soul of the place visited, and not always liked what he has – while introducing the reader to a host of other, sometimes unfamiliar, writings about travel.
The book also contains a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts' of travelling, including: travel alone; don't take a mobile; make a friend; and cross a frontier.
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