Paul Theroux v. Colin Thubron

[Nick]

Does anyone else have views on this? I find Theroux to be a grumpy and rather rude curmudgeon. Thubron is a better writer and, I suspect, a nicer person. I am trying to read Theroux's book about walkinjg around the British Coast, but he is so spiteful and critical about everything that I have lost interest.

[Snoopy]

Paul Theroux ~ I tried "The Old Patagonian Express" once but came to the conclusion that he was more concerned at being seen as a "writer with a style" and "serious" than actually being possessed of any great ability to entertain his readers so I gave up on him. His son Louis gets on my nerves to the point whenever he appears on TV I have to switch him off or throw things at the screen. I figure like father, like son. Too damn "Look at me I'm really a clever clogs" for my liking ~ the pair of 'em.
Colin Thubron ~ I confess I have never read any of his stuff ... but I am not much into travel writers. People keep giving me books by the likes of Michael Palin, whose TV travel progs can be entertaining but in book form nothing is added, and similar "glossy" BBC publications ..... "Coast" etc. Not my cup of tea at all.

[Nick]

I can recommend Thubron!!