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The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific
In one of his most exotic and breathtaking journeys, the intrepid traveler Paul Theroux ventures to the South Pacific, exploring fifty-one islands by...more
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Although Theroux the man is sadder than ever - his marriage is in a state of accelerated collapse, among other things - this book is less dour and biting than his other travelogues. That's probably because he spends most of his time alone, out on the water, away from the people and things that usually drive him to misanthropic sulking.
This book is so negative in so many ways. I thought it would be a really good story about Pacific Islanders but it seems like all he does is complain about the people. As somone living in a Pacific Island country, my experience has been completely the opposite.
Made me want to hop in a boat and say goodbye to the world. Very insightful, sometimes tragic, pessimistic, but ultimately opens up the universe of the South Pacific and it's peoples. You'll probably never go to any of these places, but you'll really want to after this.
I like Paul Theroux for all the reasons many others dislike him. His honesty is often brutal, but it is always honest. When I read travel writing I want to read about a trip I'd take if I had the guts, not a trip I'd take if I had the money. Paul Theroux has accomplished this feat once again in this book. If you want sweet tales of smiling natives, read something else. They're in...more
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