Andrea wrote: "I'm currently reading Paul Theroux's "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star." Some people refer to Theroux as "misanthropic" and I guess I don't get it. He doesn't like jerks, and he says so, but he ha..."

I just finished this book on your suggestion. Yes, he is a bit of a curmudgeon, but I think he really has a soft heart underneath the bluster. He mentions very briefly about having a "scolded and nagged" childhood. As a therapist, I'm wondering if some of that isn't beneath his negativity and cynicism. I'm going to start "The Kingdom by the Sea" next.

Andrea wrote: "I've been thinking about how many different kinds of books fall under the term "travel literature." I like all kinds, but it almost seems like we should have subcategories. Or maybe there are some..."

There's the "footsteps" one as well - here are a few examples I've enjoyed:
To Travel Hopefully by Christopher Rush (travels in the Cevennes with a donkey like R L Stevenson)
One Dry Season - Caroline Alexander's re-tracing Mary Kingsley in Africa;
Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin
Travels without My Aunt (a/k/a Traveling on the Edge) by Julia Llewellyn-Smith, visiting Graham Greene locales

James wrote: "I read Bryson's In a Sunburned Country and Tony Horwitz's Blue Latitudes Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before at the same time and it was illuminat..."

I love Sunburned Country and Blue Latitudes as well! I also loved Bryson's A Walk in the Woods and a gem by David Elliot Cohen entitled One Year Off: Leaving It All Behind for a Round-the-World Journey with Our Children.

Yes, most of the time this is really a different sort of book. But I have some of those on my list under travel too, I think.

One genre that seems to get lumped in with travel writing would be "expat memoir", such as Peter Kerr's books on his time on Mallorca, for example.

I've been thinking about how many different kinds of books fall under the term "travel literature." I like all kinds, but it almost seems like we should have subcategories. Or maybe there are some, but I don't know what they are? For example, there are the books that are all about physical endurance and adventure, while others focus only on the social and cultural encounters and avoid any mention of physical comforts or discomforts. Then, there are the pleasant-personality type narrators and the crochety type narrators etc, etc, etc. Kind of a fun pastime to come up with descriptors.

Andrea wrote: "I don't like to get off on a tangent, but wondered if you could say a little more about what you didn't like about Dark Star Safari? I do think he went over the top a bit with the tourists on the Nile cruise."

It's been a while since I read it, but I do recall his telling his "dinner guests" (at a campsite), something to the effect of: "Bet you've never been served by a member of the American Academy of Letters before!", which struck me as incredibly pompous. Another person made a comment somewhere (paraphrased): "I never felt he was more than a flash of his Super Titanium American Express card away from any serious problems".
I don't mind that he's cranky and somewhat anti-social, it's the (elitist) bragging that gets to me - I got the impression dishing other writers with Pico Iyer in Japan was one of the highlights of his most recent trip. That sort of thing ...

I liked Theroux's books -DARK STAR SAFARI and GHOST TRAIN TO THE EASTERN STAR even with his attitude

in both books he revisits places he's been 30 years earlier and gives him a unique perspective on changes/nonchanges in those places

plus I think he is a very brave man given some of his travel experiences in various places where nature is difficult or the political situation is not exactly friendly

James wrote: "In Riding the Iron Rooster, Theroux seems to spend an inordinate amount of time at one point denigrating his companions on the train. So, I'd say a little misanthropic--but usually I'..."

Yes, that was the first book I read by Paul Theroux and his denigration of his travel companions put me right off. I've never picked up another.

Jim wrote: "I just published my first work of travel lit: NOTES FOR THE AURORA SOCIETY. Take a look here:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61904...

I'm dying to start my n..."
Where do you think you might go next? Or, that is, where would you like to go?

John wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I'm currently reading Paul Theroux's "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star." Some people refer to Theroux as "misanthropic" and I guess I don't get it. He doesn't like jerks, and he say..."

I don't like to get off on a tangent, but wondered if you could say a little more about what you didn't like about Dark Star Safari? I do think he went over the top a bit with the tourists on the Nile cruise.

I just published my first work of travel lit: NOTES FOR THE AURORA SOCIETY. Take a look here:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61904...

I'm dying to start my next project...and will have to figure out how to work my two lovely kids into that. So, I'm currently seeking funding.

Andrea wrote: "I'm currently reading Paul Theroux's "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star." Some people refer to Theroux as "misanthropic" and I guess I don't get it. He doesn't like jerks, and he says so, but he ha..."

I've read all of his travel books to date, and am almost finished with this one. I found him as bad as most of his detractors claim in Dark Star Safari, but he redeems himself here.

jennifer wrote: "I finished "Musn't Grumble: In Search of England and the English" by Joe Bennett. He is an Englishman who has lived in NZ for 20 years, then returns to spend a couple of months trying to revisit th..."

I haven't read that one yet, but I liked his NZ book: A Land of Two Halves.

I haven't read him in a while, but I find Bryson over-rated.

I agree, Anja, that though Theroux can be a grouch at times, he honestly presents the mixed bag that travel can be. Just because one is in Timbuktu, doesn't mean that someone isn't actually an irritating bore. In terms of traveling with kids, I have four, and know it can get prohibitively expensive. I've found, however, that I can give my kids a taste for travel and adventure by taking shorter trips, but trying to look at things from an "outsiders" angle, not following the beaten track even if we are camping a couple of hours from home. A large family tent and campstove can open a new world of budget friendly travel. It did for me.

Hi,

I love the travelbooks by Theroux. He is critical about his fellow-travelers, but I found many of his comments recognizable: I had no problem at all visualizing the peple he discribes and found them therefore very realistic. Haven't you met such characters during travelling or daily life?
And there's a lot more to write about annoying people then there is about kind, nice people...
Anja

Hi Jeremy,

I started to read travelliterature after I made some travels myself (backpacking in Asia). Now I have five kids and therefore not so able to travel anymore: so I love the genre as a subdtitue for 'life' travelling!

Yes, I read "Too Much Tuscan Sun". It was a fun book. "Mediterranean Summer" by David Shalleck is another light, fun read.

These are great suggestions, Nancy. You do read a lot! Did you read "Too Much Tuscan Sun?" It's by an Italian tour guide and has some good stories in it from a different perspective.
I agree about Francis Mayes being a good writer.

GG Husak
www.passeggiataitalia.com

GG,
Here are some specific books for Italy that I liked: "Dances with Luigi" by Paul Paolicelli; Tim Parks, "Italian Neighbors", "Italian Education"; Phil Doran,"The Reluctant Tuscan"; Beppe Severginini,"La Bella Figura"; "Cento Citta" by Paul Hofmann; and "Italian Days" Barbara Grizzuti-Harrison.

Hi,
Anything by Frances Mayes. She's a beautiful writer. If you like travel short stories any of the Traveler's Tales series are great. They have them for many countries. I just got one yesterday "Floating Through France: Life Between Locks on the Canal de Midi".Of course there is always Peter Mayle. I think he earlier books were better. He's sort of run out of steam or topics for Provence. I also loved "Beyond the Earth and Sky: Journey to Bhutan". Do you have any suggestions for me?

Hi, Nancy,
You mentioned you have read lots of travel narrative. Do you have some favorites to recommend?

GG Husak
Author: Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy
www.passeggiataitalia.com

Hi Suzi, Both. I think I've read enough about couples buying an old farm house, etc. But whatever you know of I'd appreciate hearing about. Thanks, Nancy

Hi Nancy - are you looking for fiction set in Provence, or travel writing - or both?
Suzi

John, I just joined and read your comment about Bryson. This is so interesting to read because I think he is an hilarious writer. I laugh aloud with all his books. Maybe it's just different taste in humor. He has a book out for writers about usage,grammar, etc. He seems highly intelligent. Nancy B

I go to Provence mostly...the Luberon Valley and the St Remy area. My brother goes to the Scottish Highlands every fall for 3 weeks just to hike, read and relax. He likes it very much. I'll check out your book. For a time I had a photographic business and made photo cards of architectural detail of Provence.

I use to go every two years but now that my daughter lives in England I have to go see her and the grandkids every year and hopefully two times a year. When we go in August we want to go to Scotland. It is only a 4 hour train ride up to Edenbourgh.
Where in France do you go?
My book, I wrote, is on travel but it is short stories about absurdities and mishaps along the way. My brother says if you want entertainment you travel with me and something always happens to amuze you. If you look up above a few comments you will find the name of my book and my webpage.
I am a Nomad, I love to go and see the world and learn new things. I have a book signing in Washington State then I am off to Alaska in June.

I try to go to Europe every two years. Mostly to France and Italy where I have relatives. The rest of the time I read everything I can on travel. I think this will be a good group for me. I've nearly enhausted the travel essay section at Borders. Now I have a Kindle so my scope has widen. Thanks for the welcome, Penelope!

I was not familiar with Francophile so went to check it out. I have traveled extensively in Europe but not too much in France. I seem to go through there a lot, stay a few nights but Holland, Germany, Switz seem to be where I have my greatest knowledge. My daughter lives in England so I am sure during the next 6 years I will become quite versed in that country as well.
Do you travel or just enjoy reading about it?

Welcome Nancy,

Just joined today. I'm such a Francophile I can't stop buying books on Provence. Maybe it's becoming a passe topic and or perhaps I've read all there is out there, but would appreciate any suggestions for recently released books that you liked.
Nancy B.

"Travel Absurdities" is a book I wrote and was recently released. It is a humorous book about my travel and shows how even the most seasoned traveler can run into situations that are only funny later. It has 60 short stories that are light hearted, hopefully funny and showing others how culture shock can affect people, as well as the customs and oddities around the world. I hope my book will instill a desire to travel to widen others horizon. In today's economy one can travel with me through my stories and then recall some fond memorable times of their own or maybe the book will spark them to want to go out and see some interesting places that might be only a short drive away. I wrote it because I feel in today's world we all can use a chuckle or two.
My first, to my worst, air flight, traveling for 9 years in an RV, 26 countries, 23 cruises and 48 states give me a lot of material to share.

Penelope Riley
Author of Travel Absurdities
www.travelabsurdities.com

A general "armchair traveler" comment:
I wonder if these travel books are even more important in the present economic times of uncertainty.
A good travel book, nonfiction or fiction, can help us feel like we have experienced a foreign country, whether or not we can afford to make the trip.
Books really can take us to faraway places!

GG Husak

Author of Passeggiata
www.passeggiataitalia.com

Jim wrote: "GG wrote: "A book that I loved is "The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton. The essays cover some philosophical aspects of travel and those who love to go.

I just finished THE ART OF TRAVEL and l..."

Jim, I'm glad you liked THE ART OF TRAVEL as much as I did.

GG Husak

www.passeggiataitalia.com

I finished "Musn't Grumble: In Search of England and the English" by Joe Bennett. He is an Englishman who has lived in NZ for 20 years, then returns to spend a couple of months trying to revisit the towns and villages written about by H.V. Morton, a travel writer of the 1920's. Bennett starts out cheerfully but becomes disillusioned as he finds more and more of Morton's Merry England has become run-down or turned into tourist attractions. I recommend the book because it's funny and Bennett takes the reader to parts of the country most visitors have no reason to visit.

GG wrote: "A book that I loved is "The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton. The essays cover some philosophical aspects of travel and those who love to go.

I just finished THE ART OF TRAVEL and like GG loved it
great book about what we, various artists (Van Gogh, Hopper etc), poets (Wordsworth), writers (Ruskin), philosophers (Pascal, Nietszchie), adventurers can get from travel when it comes to not just seeing but noticing the place we travel as well as art

thanks to GG' recommendation, I find myself trying to notice as well as see the world around me

GG Husak, author of Passeggiata
www.passeggiatait..."

Thank you. I shall put that on my to read list. I have read all the Osa and Martin Johnson books which I really enjoyed.

You might like Vivienne De Watteville "Speak to the Earth: Wanderings and Reflections Among Elephants and Mountains" written about her trip to Kenya in 1928 to study wildlife. I really liked it.

I have not read a lot of African travel books but I did enjoy the one I just read. Most of the turn of century travel books are written about travel in Europe and the near and far east.

I'm particularly interested in Africa (esp. East Africa but any part), as it happens, so I will check out some that you list.

The last book I read was Denatured Africa which was a humorous book about a Safari to Africa.
My personal favorites are women travellers. A good beginner book is Wilder Shores of Love by Lesley Blanch which includes Isabel Burton, Jane Digby El Mezrab, Aimee Dubucq De Rivery and Isabelle Eberhardt. I have a big long list of these if you are interested.

If you have particluar countries you are interested in I will be happy to recommend more.

Kari, could you suggest some titles?

I enjoy reading travel books from the turn of the century when traveling seemed more leisurely. They can take you places that no longer exist and you can take your time getting there. I was forturnate that I have travelled a lot and now I enjoy traveling in my back yard with a good book.

Books can take us places, and we don't have to get on a plane or in a car.
I wonder if even more people will be reading travel books now, if they are thinking of postponing some of their travel because of the uncertainty in the economy.

GG Husak

Passseggiata: Strolling through Italy
www.PasseggiataItalia.com

GG - I took out the ART OF TRAVEL yesterday and am excited about reading it soon -thanks for the tip

It's amazing how reading about the philosophy/psychological/historical aspects of almost anything opens up a new way of seeing things and that's probably what I appreciate most about books

A book that I loved is "The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton. The essays cover some philosophical aspects of travel and those who love to go.

GG Husak, author of Passeggiata
www.passeggiataitalia.com

In Riding the Iron Rooster, Theroux seems to spend an inordinate amount of time at one point denigrating his companions on the train. So, I'd say a little misanthropic--but usually I'm nodding along and laughing, too.

I don't know about "misanthropic," but I've only read part of one of his books. The chapter describing his visit to Vietnam I thought was poignant and instructive. I also liked his wry view of a Latin American futbol game.

James wrote: "I read Bryson's In a Sunburned Country and [a:Tony Horwitz|16541|Tony Horwitz|http://w..."

Liked Horwitz book a lot too