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Because this book was written not long after the Cultural Revolution ended, it is more about politics, people, and beliefs than other books I've read by Paul Theroux - not a bad thing, but a little more challenging to read. I would give this 4 1/2 stars if I could. The final segment in Tibet was a revelation - a unique experience in China that puts much of the rest of the book into perspective. Definitely worth reading!
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Borrowed this book since I'm off to do a bit of iron-rooster-riding myself next week. I think Theroux is the perfect traveller-he is always present in his narrative, describes what is happening without intrusive judgement, appears to speak enough of the language to discuss things with the people around him, and settles in to enjoy the journey no matter what happens. There's none of the "romance of travel" in his work, though he does towards the end seem pretty happy that he survived an accident
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Interesting... did NOT make me want to visit China
Jun 18, 2009
Yiga
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Jun 22, 2009
Ching-In
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Dec 30, 2011
Lorri
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Jan 12, 2012
J
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Feb 15, 2012
Ginger
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May 22, 2012
Soelo
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Dec 28, 2012
Mary Paul
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Jul 03, 2017
Mike
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Sep 29, 2018
Curlysue
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Apr 04, 2019
Traci
marked it as have-to-read
Jan 03, 2021
Jocelyn
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Sep 01, 2021
Colleen Chi-Girl
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Oct 28, 2023
Deborah
marked it as to-read
