August 2001 Archives

Pot Luck Paul Theroux

Louis' dad isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this collection gives you a taster of Paul Theroux's travel writings from the years running up to Y2K.

Snapshots of the lives and lifestyles of people from all around the world, not only of the individuals Theroux encounters but also of the writer, his family and friends, including Bruce Chatwin.

With stories of sailing off Cape Cod, luxury cruising down the Yangtze a mere 4 years after the end of the Cultural Revolution, and surf-kayaking off Hawai'i's North Shore, there's a definite bias towards water-borne exploration.

Whether you are seeking inspiration for holiday destinations or, like me, feel the occasional need to relive travels of your own (or to undertake fresh ones, albeit on a vicarious basis), 'Fresh-Air Fiend' fits the bill.

Readers who liked this, also liked Molesworth

I first encountered this book as a kid, lurking on the bookshelves at The Davids - family friends who also introduced Tom and me to Richard Scarry and Josephine Tey (and Jacob's Sheep and Laphroaig).

Short enough for an under-10 to read over a weekend, and deceptively categorised as a 'children's novel', this slim (5mm) gem of a story (with great illustrations by Fritz Wegner) is a gentle lesson in tolerance and co-existance, between individuals and families, nations and races.

One to read, read and read again - to yourself and to nephews and neices - in fact any 'kid' of any age you know.

I've still got my (battered) copy, 45p RRP and still going strong if you want to borrow it......