Tuesday I had trouble finding my next book. My shelves are buckling under the weight of recent orders from Edward R Hamilton and from various online, used booksellers. Somehow, nothing seemed “just right.”
So, I started messing with Paul Theroux’s Last Train to Zona Verde (2013). It’s a nonfiction account of his travel from Capetown, South Africa, north to Angola. Theroux notes that Last Train amounts to a second phase of the journey that he recounts in Dark Star Safari (2002), which ended in Capetown.
As I enjoyed Dark Star Safari (and all of Theroux’s nonfiction travel work), I had high expectations for Last Train. My expectations have been met, as I’d give Last Trainr 8 out of 10, so far.
Theroux’s Journey
The book begins with Theroux in remote Namibia. At the same time, the economies are collapsing in the developed world. Theroux muses that these “primitive” Namibians may have the last laugh.
The second and third chapters find Theroux back on familiar ground in Capetown, South Africa. He’s very interested in what has happened since the end of his trip there ten years before. First, he visits the black settlements on Capetown’s outskirts. He finds that there has been progress, but that a steady stream of migrants continues to arrive from the rest of South Africa. In the white areas, he also discusses what is different. Again, he seems relatively upbeat.
To those familiar with Theroux – who has a well-earned reputation as something of a grouch – the book has a surprising start. But, being Theroux, he mixes in a bit of darkness by musing that this African adventure might be his last trip. Theroux makes many references to his advancing years and how senior citizens are pushed to the margins of society.
Onward with Paul
The next chapter takes Theroux on to Namibia. I can’t wait.
Why did it take me so long to read this one? I’m a big Theroux fan and I’ve had Last Train on the shelf for a long time. I guess the moment just wasn’t right. But I’m really enjoying my (armchair) travels with Theroux.
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