My earliest thought, long before I was in high school, was just to go away, get out of my house, get out of my city. I went to Medford High School, but even in grade school and junior high, I fantasized about leaving. Paul Theroux cityearlyfantasize share on social
I wouldn't say that I'm a travel novelist, but rather a novelist who travels - and who uses travel as a background for finding stories of places. Paul Theroux backgroundfindnovelist Change image and share on social
I have always felt that the truth is prophetic, and that if you describe precisely what you see and give it life with your imagination, then what you write ought to have lasting value, no matter what the mood of your prose. Paul Theroux describefeltgive share on social
Extensive traveling induces a feeling of encapsulation, and travel, so broadening at first, contracts the mind. Paul Theroux broadencontractencapsulation Change image and share on social
Maine out of season is unmistakably a great destination: hospitable, good-humored, plenty of elbow room, short days, dark nights of crackling ice crystals. Paul Theroux cracklecrystaldark Change image and share on social
I can't predict how reading habits will change. But I will say that the greatest loss is the paper archive - no more a great stack of manuscripts, letters, and notebooks from a writer's life, but only a tiny pile of disks, little plastic cookies where once were calligraphic marvels. Paul Theroux archivecalligraphicchange share on social
The pleasure a reader gets is often equal to the pleasure a writer is given. Paul Theroux equalpleasurereader Change image and share on social
Fiction gives us the second chances that life denies us. Paul Theroux chancedenyfiction Change image and share on social
Television cannot film corruption. Television cannot spend five days on a rattling railway train, talking endlessly. Television needs excitement, it needs an angle, it needs a 'sound bite. Paul Theroux anglebitecorruption Change image and share on social
Mark Twain was a great traveler and he wrote three or four great travel books. I wouldn't say that I'm a travel novelist but rather a novelist who travels - and who uses travel as a background for finding stories of places. Paul Theroux backgroundbookfind share on social
