Is there any point in going across the world to eat something or buy something or watch people squatting among their ruins? Travel is a state of mind. It has nothing to do with distance or the exotic. It is almost entirely an inner experience. Paul Theroux More Quotes by Paul Theroux More Quotes From Paul Theroux Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it. Paul Theroux maine boston childhood I think most serious and omnivorous readers are alike- intense in their dedication to the word, quiet-minded, but relieved and eagerly talkative when they meet other readers and kindred spirits. Paul Theroux dedication serious thinking Notice how many of the Olympic athletes effusively thanked their mothers for their success? “She drove me to my practice at four in the morning,” etc. Writing is not figure skating or skiing. Your mother will not make you a writer. My advice to any young person who wants to write is: leave home. Paul Theroux mother home morning ... the grand tour is just the inspired man's way of heading home. Paul Theroux home men travel The monotony of staying in one place is the best thing for writing a novel. Having regular habits, a kind of security, but especially no big surprises, no shocks. Paul Theroux surprise kind writing They say that if the Swiss had designed these mountains they'd be rather flatter. Paul Theroux climbing mountain funny People write about getting sick, they write about tummy trouble, they write about having to wait for a bus. They write about waiting. They write three pages about how long it took them to get a visa. I'm not interested in the boring parts. Everyone has tummy trouble. Everyone waits in line. I don't want to hear about it. Paul Theroux writing long people I think that love isn't what you think it is when you're in your twenties or even thirties. Paul Theroux twenties thinking A travel book is about someone who goes somewhere, travels on the ground, sees something and spends quite a lot of time doing it, and has a hard time, and then comes back and writes about it. It's not about inventing. Paul Theroux writing book travel The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume. Paul Theroux slim volume book A novel captures essence that is not possible in any other form. Paul Theroux capture form essence Although I'm not fluent in sign language by a long way, I could have a fairly decent conversation. Paul Theroux sign-language long way Extensive traveling induces a feeling of encapsulation, and travel, so broadening at first, contracts the mind. Paul Theroux mind feelings travel The people of Hong Kong are criticized for only being interested in business, but it's the only thing they've been allowed to do. Paul Theroux hong-kong people There are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can't think of one at the moment. Paul Theroux cowboy stars thinking I don't think I've ever seen a person having a serious conversation on a cellphone. It's like a kiddie thing, a complete time waster. Paul Theroux serious conversation thinking I'm constantly running across people who have never heard of books I think they should read. Paul Theroux running book thinking My house is a place I have spent many years improving to the point where I have no desire to leave it. Paul Theroux house desire years People talk about the pain of writing, but very few people talk about the pleasure and satisfaction. Paul Theroux pain writing people People who don't read books a lot are threatened by books. Paul Theroux threatened book people
