Paul Theroux

Easton Press Paul Theroux books

The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling The Pacific - signed first edition - 1992
The Great Railway Bazaar

Franklin Library Paul Theroux books

Picture Palace - limited first edition (not signed) - 1978

Ozone - signed first edition - 1986
Kowloon Tong - signed first edition - 1997

 

 

 

Paul Theroux biography

Paul Theroux, celebrated American author and travel writer, was born on April 10, 1941, in Medford, Massachusetts. Raised in a family of modest means, Theroux developed an early passion for literature and exploration. He attended the University of Maine and later received a Master's degree in English literature from the University of Massachusetts. In the early stages of his career, Theroux taught English in Africa, which became a transformative experience that would deeply influence his writing. His time on the African continent inspired his first novel, "Fong and the Indians," published in 1968. However, it was his travel writing that would bring him widespread acclaim and establish his reputation as one of the foremost chroniclers of the modern world. Theroux's travels have taken him to remote corners of the globe, from the deserts of Africa to the jungles of South America. His keen observations and vivid prose capture the essence of the places he visits, as well as the people he encounters along the way. Among his most famous works is The Great Railway Bazaar (1975), an account of his journey by train from London to Japan and back, which became a bestseller and solidified his reputation as a travel writer.

In addition to his travel writing, Theroux is a prolific novelist, known for works such as The Mosquito Coast (1981), which was adapted into a successful film starring Harrison Ford. His novels often explore themes of cultural clash, disillusionment, and the search for identity, drawing on his own experiences living and traveling abroad.

Throughout his career, Theroux has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award. Despite his success, he remains a restless traveler, always seeking out new adventures and insights to fuel his writing. Beyond his literary pursuits, Theroux is known for his sharp wit, independent spirit, and iconoclastic views. He continues to inspire readers with his fearless exploration of the world and its myriad complexities, proving himself to be not only a master storyteller but also a keen observer of the human condition.