Scan barcode
newson66's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable but meandering novel that is wonderful in places and rather lumpy and repetetive in others.
Although quite a-moral the novel does take time to land some body shots to the upmarket thrill-seeking traveller. I got the impression Theroux was unloading a lot of frustration and anger at those expensively kitted, wilfully ignorant travellers to exotic destinations he must have encountered down the years.
Actual novel was a lot of fun but in dire need of trimming down - the whole middle passage taking place in Martha's Vineyard was unnecessarily long and border line dull. Worth persevering with though as it is an ambitious novel trespassing into some quite dark and uneasy places at times.
Although quite a-moral the novel does take time to land some body shots to the upmarket thrill-seeking traveller. I got the impression Theroux was unloading a lot of frustration and anger at those expensively kitted, wilfully ignorant travellers to exotic destinations he must have encountered down the years.
Actual novel was a lot of fun but in dire need of trimming down - the whole middle passage taking place in Martha's Vineyard was unnecessarily long and border line dull. Worth persevering with though as it is an ambitious novel trespassing into some quite dark and uneasy places at times.
shereadersbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by the author and I quite enjoyed it. The story of Datura brought me back to my own experience with ayahuasca in the ecuadorian oriente so I might have enjoyed reliving my own memories more than this story itself. The idea of drug induced blindness brought an interesting turn to the story and the Germans that I met in Ecuador really helped me personify Manfred. The book dragged on a bit but I thought it all came together well at the end. It reminded me somewhat of the Stephen King book (authors writing about writers). I think this book satisfied my thirst more than other readers because of the personal connection to Ecuador and I have always dreamed of writing a travel memoir. This served as an example of one way it can be done. I would be inclined to read more by this author.
therealestcarrie's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't finish. Self-indulgent poseur trying to be edgy
bro9ando's review against another edition
1.0
Read a lot of travel writing and articles for the BBC, so I jumped at the chance to check out a novel of his... Disaster.
ahsimlibrarian's review
3.0
Library Journal: Slade Steadman's first book, an edgy travel memoir called Trespassing , showcased his daring world travels as he crossed borders while evading passport checkpoints. It catapulted him into cult status, spawning countless fans, a TV show, and even a line of travel gear. Twenty years later, Slade suffers writer's block as he continues struggling to write the follow-up. He is disheartened by those who say he's become a brand—that he needn't bother writing ever again. Finally, Slade goes on a drug trip to Ecuador with an ex-girlfriend in search of a psychedelic muse à la William Burroughs. Slade finds a drug that provides almost prophetic insight—at the price of his being blinded. But periodic blindness seems a small price to pay in his arrogant pursuit of a novel of interior travel and sexual confession. What's more, his blindness puts him back in the literary limelight, where he even occasionally rubs elbows with President Clinton. Theroux (The Stranger at the Palazzo d'Oro ) writes with assurance here as he captures his narcissistic protagonist's heedless spiral into addiction and delusions of grandeur. Slade's descent serves as a guided tour of the heaven and hell that accompany writers who achieve fame and try to reclaim it. Recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/05.]—MishaStone, Seattle P.L. --MishaStone (Reviewed April 1, 2005) (Library Journal, vol 130, issue 6, p83)
More...