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ljm57's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the author's year & a bit spent travelling from one end of the Mediterranean coastline to the other, visiting only un-touristy destinations & using only ferries, trains & buses. It was a fascinating read, very dense in description & insightful commentary. A wonderful book.
maplibrarian's review
5.0
I read Theroux because he is funny, quirky, serious about his travels. Because he talks to strangers and makes rules for himself on trips like no airplanes which forces a kind of journey most of us can only hope to take someday. I also read him because his descriptions o places I've been or want to go are so vivid I often feel like I'm right there, walking next to him.
POH did not disappoint, particularly given the time period in which he took the trip.
POH did not disappoint, particularly given the time period in which he took the trip.
sarahbringhurstfamilia's review
1.0
I picked this book up in a fit of nostalgia. I've visited or lived in quite a few of the places Theroux hits during his grand tour of the Mediterranean, and I was feeling homesick. Unfortunately, he is such a priggish and self-centered writer I couldn't even make it all the way through the book. Most of his commentary was complaints, either about natives of the various countries he visited, or about fellow travelers (only he won't dignify anyone but himself with the title of "traveler." Everyone else he meets he dismisses as "tourists"). I can see why he traveled alone. I can't imagine anyone freely choosing him as a traveling companion. Anyone read a good travel book about the entire Mediterranean lately?
keeganrb's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
abbythompson's review
4.0
A nice break from mysteries and romances! Theroux's trip around the rim of the Mediterranean, from Gibraltar to north Africa, is a perfectly crafted snapshot in time. His observations are keen, biting and sparing in praise, capturing both the ridiculousness of being a tourist and the necessity of that industry to the livelihoods of many locations. The part I found most interesting was when he journeyed to the far eastern portion of the Med, through Israel, Croatia and Turkey. That part of the world was still war-torn and bloody and Theroux's interactions with the inhabitants of Croatia and re-opened Albania are mind-blowing.
Even if you have no interest in ever traveling to the south of France, coastal Spain, Italy, Israel, Croatia, Albania, Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco, pick up this book. The writing alone is enough reason. The destinations are almost secondary.
Even if you have no interest in ever traveling to the south of France, coastal Spain, Italy, Israel, Croatia, Albania, Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco, pick up this book. The writing alone is enough reason. The destinations are almost secondary.