Just about as good as it gets...

It's great to have this at Audible, an amazing trip by Paul Theroux, with great narration by the late Frank Muller, he captures Theroux's attitude, mood, and "crankiness," perfectly.

Additionally, the book has what I think is the best attribute of recorded books; forward momentum. I usually listen while walking, and I think the best books help me move forward.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Outstanding Example of Travel Writing

This audiobook was a true pleasure. Frank Muller's narration was pitch perfect at every turn, from his delivery of a Tamil man criticizing the New Delhi elites, to his performance of Theroux's own sometimes understated, sometimes exasperated, sardonic wit.

The greatest pleasure of this travel account is it's subjectivity! Theroux is so frank about his likes and dislikes, his expectations and disappointments, you really connect with his assessments, even if you don't agree with them.

Also, this book is funny as hell. I laughed out loud commuting on the subway, walking in the park, or sitting on my couch. I looked forward to every minute of listening, and I often backed up just to listen to a conversation a second or third time.

Definitely my top listen of 2015 (and I've listened to over 20 books so far this year!).

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

One of my favorite audio books so far.

Any additional comments?

Sharp observations and dry wit combined with absolutely beautiful writing about far away places. I want to read more by Paul Theroux. And Frank Muller's outstanding voice acting brought this book to life. His voice seemed perfectly suited for the material, I felt like the author himself was there. And his wide range of accents was astonishing.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Perfect

Great story by Theroux, great performance by Muller.
Hilarious, fascinating, engaging and inspiring.
One of the best books I've read in a long time

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

must listen for any Theroux fan

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The GRB is one of the classics in travel books. If you are a railroad buff like me, it is almost "required" listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Great Railway Bazaar?

Theroux has a way to making the people he meets on the trains into unforgettable characters

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

He has an easy to listen to voice. In my mind he is the voice of Theroux now, even though I don't know what he really sounds like =)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Umm.. a little too long for that =) Great for a road-trip

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Excellent depiction

I love travel and love travelogues.
This is my first experience with Paul Theroux and I extremely enjoyed his humor and his insight.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

A great listen for the traveller

What did you love best about The Great Railway Bazaar?

A great travel adventure, written at a time when crossing the globe was a much more challenging experience. Will resonate with anyone who's embarked on a voyage across cultures.

What did you like best about this story?

It reminded me of what I love about freeform travel

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

The narrator was excellent - when the accents seem natural and quietly add to the appreciation of the story, rather than being something that you notice outright, then the narrator has done their job well.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Riviting

What did you love best about The Great Railway Bazaar?

I loved Theroux's frank descriptions of what he experienced and how he felt about everything.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me want to take the same trip--or ar at least parts of it.

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

Muller's tempo is just right, alternating appropriately from phrase to phrase and he speaks the various accents convincingly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Theroux is Not an Ideal Traveling Companion

I always wanted to read this book, which was written in 1975 — and its age certainly shows. Theroux's perspective and attitude is all about the white male gaze. As he rides trains throughout Asia, he shares racist impressions of the local residents he encounters. And his sexism is on full display as well; he only has conversations with male fellow travelers, and some regale him with descriptions of perverse sex shows. It's disgusting. Why did I stick around for 6,000 miles? The book is considered a classic of travel writing. Theroux certainly covers a lot of territory, but he rarely disembarks long enough to truly know a destination. If reading this inspired a generation to leave home, great. But if he sat down next to me on a train and opened his yap, I'd move to another car.

one of the best

if the character Ishmael from Moby Dick wrote a book about train travel this would be it. Funny, literate, compassionate, wise, honest and wistful. I can't reccomemd it enough.