One of the best travel writers now at work in the English language brings back the sights and sounds from a dozen different frontiers. A cryptic en...
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reviews
Aug 09, 2011
mikeyk
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Iyer shared some great stories in this book. I really enjoyed his piece on the Dalai Lama. Just one example of where Iyer mixed his own experience with an entertaining history lesson. His writings on Cambodia had a profound impact on me. I'm dying to learn more about the horrors of the past. At the same time, I want jump on the next flight to Angkor Wat. "Making Kindness Stand to Reason", "Happy Hour in the Heart of Darkness", "A Journey into Light", "In
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Apr 24, 2011
Nash
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i close my eyes and numb my senses every time i buy any of Iyer's books. they come at a hefty price but before i can reason with myself, my hands (which lie closer to my heart) impulsively sort out the cash and before i know it, the cashier's handing me my receipt. there goes my salary is what i always say but the thing about money is that it can be earned but these rare gems--ideas fitted onto pages---are hard to come by.
the first two Iyer books i got were gifts from an Indian friend More...
the first two Iyer books i got were gifts from an Indian friend More...
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Apr 30, 2008
Drew
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I read this as part of an assignment for finishing up my MFA program, and overall, I felt the book was just alright. I think Iyer is an exemplary travel writer, and especially the essay in there about Grandmothers, and Nara park touched me, but that was only because I too have been to Nara, Japan.
Overall, the collection focused on places of poverty; places that generally are kind of forbidden to the average traveler. And while the insight on lands I'll never visit is interesting, I More...
Overall, the collection focused on places of poverty; places that generally are kind of forbidden to the average traveler. And while the insight on lands I'll never visit is interesting, I More...
Dec 05, 2007
Mayee
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Something has become more muted in the essays of "Sun After Dark" -- the heavy romanticism demonstrated in "Abandon" is not there, and the tone of these essays seems less melodramatic than his other essays somehow. Was it something in him that had changed, I wondered, or was it me as the reader, or was it both of us... in his essay on Cambodia, I noted the tone of detachment adopted in his description of the moral cesspool of the country, which was usually perversely attracti
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Sep 25, 2009
Lizz
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The best collection of travel stories I have read. Iyer llustrates the locale but also is able to give you a deep understanding of the emotion of the location like no other writer I've read in a long time. You can see it but you can also feel it. He tackles some of the unpleasant parts of travel - his part on child beggars captures the frustration travelers face when dealing with the constant begging and the dilemma of to give or not to give. I loved his piece on jet-lag. I will reread the
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Jun 03, 2011
JQ
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One or two of the tales as well as a snippet here and there were liked but overall it was kind of a let down. It seemed as if there should be more to to the experiences. Iyer chose to write about hard things and he did a pretty good job. Maybe it was the overuse of metaphors or the top heavy premonitions in the first couple chapters. Although it did create a neat deja vu feeling through out the book. Even though this book was not really for me, I can easily see how people would love it.
Jul 30, 2011
"The beauty of any flight, after all, is that, as soon as we leave the ground, we leave a sense of who we are behind." As always, Pico Iyer delves into the possibilities of discovery. I lingered over the chapter on Leonard Cohen. Was it coincidence that a student played "Hallelujah" on the piano in the school foyer as I was reading?
Jan 24, 2010
Rebecca
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A new addition to my "favorite authors" list. Iyer's proesetry is mesmerizing. Perfect for the world globetrotter or the armchair traveler. Not "just" travel writing ... he explores the worlds inside our brains as well as the ones outside our doors.
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Dec 21, 2008
Judy
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Love Iyer's writing. I devoured this collection of thoughtful travel essays. I think Iyer is one of the few people who can step outside his own culture to genuinely see another. His adventures reminded me how much I like staying at home!
May 19, 2011
Stacy
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I like everything this guy writes, but this book is a bit rougher than others I have read. Because it is a collection of essays, maybe it wasn't as closely edited. He is usually much more literary than this. Still, he has been to some interesting places and his observations are keen.
Jul 19, 2009
Roopa
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Excellent book on travel to some of the poorest countries in the world, captures imagery but also has a philosophical touch
May 29, 2011
Stargrave
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Couldn't get into it. Seemed intentionally ambiguous, elusive, and confusing.
Jun 24, 2009
I liked the intro alot, but even a Leonard Cohen fan like myself couldn't continue past the first chapter.
Mar 28, 2008
Kristianne
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I've been reading Iyer with pleasure for a number of years and this is a favorite. His writing is reflctive and poetic, relying on astute observation of the world and creative synthesis of those observations. This book includes both stories of physical travel and journies through realms of inner space and the contemplation of space and identity. The collection includes fascinating profiles of Leonard Cohen and the Dalai Lama, voyages to Bolivia and Cambodia as well as a brilliant meditation on j
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Mar 07, 2010
Juha
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The stories in this collection have one theme in common: foreigness or being a foreigner. They were written between 1993 and 2002. Geographically, they span the globe. Some are highly personal, others focus on famous people Iyer meets (Dalai Lama, Leonard Cohen), a couple are basically literary criticism, one or two vaguely exciting, even humorous. All in all, the collection finds Iyer in a pensive mood. Many of the stories are rather inward looking, slow reading, melancholy.
Oct 23, 2008
Lisa
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This is a collection of travel stories that share an interest in exploring foreign-ness. Iyer examines his own concern for and guilt about people in need in several areas of the world. At the same time, he looks inward to fully experience if not understand his own disjointed feelings in unfamiliar territory. Most of the stories are about physically traveling to different parts of the world, but Iyer also discusses other transporting experiences such as reading books.
Feb 07, 2008
Lisa
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Ayer is a travel writer, and this book is a collection of travel stories, but not in the usual sense. Most of the book is filled with stories that teach you as much about the author as they do about yourself. This would be a good book to read with someone and discuss as you go along.
Mar 06, 2011
Scott
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I really did not like this book. There may have been one or two essays that were actually enjoyable travel writing. The rest were random, muddled meditations, which may be interesting for some people, do not fall into what I think many would consider travel literature.
Dec 04, 2007
Jeff
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A good collection but I'd recommend Iyer's Video Night in Kathmandu (especially) and Global Soul before this one. Thanks to the author for the Leonard Cohen piece. Also this book left me wanting to read everything by W.G. Sebald.
Aug 12, 2008
Barb
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These are erudite and unusual essays from a very philosophical travel writer. His description of jet lag is a do-not-miss read for anyone who has ever suffered from it.
Jun 18, 2008
Leslie
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I love his writing, and the way he describes his "lost in translation" moments while traveling. I don't usually like short essay books, but for Iyer, I'll make an exception.
Sep 18, 2007
Alex
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This book has really challenged me to try to travel on my own in situations outside of my comfort zone. I especially like the chapter regarding jet lag.
Nov 30, 2010
M.
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I became frequent flyer, through this book. I plan to take those flights again.
Sep 04, 2008
Ana
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Pico Iyer is a scholar-his visions are inteligent and tinged with the global soul-I enjoyed this read.
Feb 17, 2008
Christopher
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