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How to pronounce Paul Theroux: Thor-ew (which, incidentally, is different to Henry Thoreau which is pronounced like 'thorough')
Paul Theroux is the author of many highly acclaimed books. His novels include The Bad Angel Brothers, The Lower River, Jungle Lovers, and The Mosquito Coast, and his renowned travel books include Ghost Train to the Eastern Star and Dark Star Safari. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.
Paul Theroux's website
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You taught in Africa in the early 1960s. Why did you decide to return after
almost 40 years?
Since leaving Africa in October 1968 I thought of the places I had worked,
the people I had known, and the hope we all had. I constantly thought: What
happened? I longed to return, and I thought I would do it in the year I turned
60. My book represents one mans road. Another person could take the same
trip and would have different experiences. Thats a truism, of course. This
trip was special to mebecause the road was in part Memory Laneand
because I loved the challenges. There is nothing in the world more vitalizing
to me that traveling in the African bush.
It is wonderful for a teacher to meet a former student and see that he or
she is gainfully employedperhaps as a teacher; and is a responsible parent
and homeowner. This happened to me in Malawi and Ugandawonderful memories.
My old friend Apolo Nsibambiwe used to drink and argue in the 1960sis
now Prime Minister of Uganda. I loved seeing him after 30 years. The passage
of time is more dramatic in Africaamazing to witness its effects, for I
first set foot there in 1963, which was another age altogether.
...
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.
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