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carroll79's review against another edition
I didn't like the style of writing or the author's way of talking about people. When he said how "the blacks" were dressed and going to the "savage jungle" I was done.
federicareadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
tarencil's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a big Paul Theroux fan, and this book delivered. A number of reviewers describe his foibles - occasional self-absorption and cruel caricaturing of people he finds obnoxious - but some of the other criticisms are bizarre to me. He was hardly an overgrown version of the itinerant youth backpacker; he wrote travel books for a living and this was how he made money. He talks about his inner thoughts and emotions on the train a lot, but isn't that a big part of why we read travel books? Travel writing that is merely about describing the sensory experience might seem appealing, but it seems to always end up being a frightful bore.
Maybe he really is a curmudgeon and a jerk and I'm one, too, for empathizing with him...but I doubt it.
This Theroux book was special to me as I want to visit South America more than anywhere else. The description of a train through the jungle in Costa Rica was also especially vivid. Theroux's brand of traveling - seeing the day-to-day sights of a place by train and visiting historic sites that are off the tourist track - is spot-on. As an added bonus, you even get to experience his conversations with the great South American writer Jose Luis Borges.
Maybe he really is a curmudgeon and a jerk and I'm one, too, for empathizing with him...but I doubt it.
This Theroux book was special to me as I want to visit South America more than anywhere else. The description of a train through the jungle in Costa Rica was also especially vivid. Theroux's brand of traveling - seeing the day-to-day sights of a place by train and visiting historic sites that are off the tourist track - is spot-on. As an added bonus, you even get to experience his conversations with the great South American writer Jose Luis Borges.
davygibbs's review against another edition
4.0
Add Theroux to my list of favorite travel writers! A contemplative and insightful traveler, Theroux here details his experiences getting on a train in Boston and riding the trails "nonstop" all the way to Patagonia in central Argentina. Can't wait to dig deeper into his oeuvre.
evaseyler's review against another edition
I couldn't NOT read this book, since it has "Patagonia" in the title, even though Patagonia (and even Argentina generally) is not really the focus of the book as a whole. It's a fabulous read and I really enjoyed it; in fact I went and ordered a hard copy to add to my South America shelf.
35lauriemb's review against another edition
3.0
Amusing at times. Disjointed. He had a very limited view on Guatemala.
marydaleo's review against another edition
5.0
This book inspired me to buy a one-way ticket to Bogota, Colombia, and piddle around South America for 4 months. 'nuff said.
smel123's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Really enjoyed this! I'm going travelling to Central and South America for four months soon so wanted to read a bit of travel writing in reference. Super interesting, funny at times and very enjoyable!