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Paul Theroux Quotes

Film writer

Paul Theroux, born on April 10, 1941, is a renowned film writer from the United States. Theroux is known for his distinctive style of storytelling, which often delves into profound life philosophies and social issues.

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All People Travel Writing Book Thinking Way Traveler Ifs Persons Want Knows Reading Train World Home Journey Made Men Years Needs

Famous Paul Theroux Quotes

“Home is always the impossible subject, multilayered and maddening.”

Home Impossible Subjects

Author:Paul Theroux

“It might be said that a great unstated reason for travel is to find places that exemplify where one has been happiest. Looking for idealised versions of home-indeed, looking for the perfect memory.”

Has Beens Said Reason Home Might Memories Perfect Versions

Book:Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings

Source: Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings

“The wish to disappear sends many travelers away. If you are thoroughly sick of being kept waiting at home or at work, travel is perfect: let other people wait for a change. Travel is a sort of revenge for having been put on hold, or having to leave messages on answering machines, not knowing your party's extension, being kept waiting all your working life - the homebound writer's irritants. But also being kept waiting is the human conditon.”

Source: Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town

“All travel is circular. I had been jerked through Asia, making a parabola on one of the planet's hemispheres. After all, the grand tour is just the inspired man's way of heading home.”

Men Way Home Planets Inspired Asia Headings Inspiring Travel Hemisphere Parabola Heading Home

Book:The Great Railway Bazaar

Source: The Great Railway Bazaar

“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.”

Want Writing Persons Home Young Mother Practice Morning Four Advice Figures Athlete Etc Skating Figure Skating Skiing Olympic Athlete

Author:Paul Theroux

“... the grand tour is just the inspired man's way of heading home.”

Men Way Home Travel Inspired Headings Great Travel Heading Home

Book:The Great Railway Bazaar

Source: The Great Railway Bazaar

“If you're a misanthrope you stay at home. There are certain writers who really don't like other people. I'm not like that, I don't think.”

People Ifs Thinking Home Certain Stay At Home Misanthrope

Author:Paul Theroux

“When I began to make some money, I really wanted to have a home.”

Home Wanted

Author:Paul Theroux

About the Author

Born: April 10, 1941
Known for: Film writer
Quotes: 209

Books & Sources

The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the AmericasRelated source material

The Great Railway BazaarRelated source material

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape TownRelated source material

The Tao of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the RoadRelated source material

Sunrise with SeamonstersRelated source material

The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the PacificRelated source material

Ghost train to the eastern star: on the tracks of the Great Railway BazaarRelated source material

Riding the Iron Rooster: By Train Through ChinaRelated source material

The Kingdom by the Sea: A Journey Around the Coast of Great BritainRelated source material

The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African SafariRelated source material

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