Figures In A Landscape: People and Places

"Theroux is at the top of his game with his third collection of essays, a magisterial grouping of intimate remembrances, globe-trotting adventures, and incisive literary critiques."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Theroux's observations are so keen and writerly skills so sharp that he butter-slices narratives with a razor-thin surgeon's scalpel, masterfully serving up both the world's dark underbelly and its gloriously uplifting sustenance of love, longing and wonder-lust." —Forbes

Paul Theroux’s latest collection of essays applies his signature searching curiosity to a life lived as much in reading as on the road. This writerly tour-de-force features a satisfyingly varied selection of topics. Travel essays take us to Ecuador, Zimbabwe, and Hawaii, to name a few. Gems of literary criticism reveal fascinating depth in the work of Henry David Thoreau, Muriel Spark, Joseph Conrad, and Hunter Thompson. And in a series of breathtakingly personal profiles, we take a helicopter ride with Elizabeth Taylor, go diagnosing with Oliver Sacks, eavesdrop on the day-to-day life of a Manhattan dominatrix, and explore New York with Robin Williams.

An extended meditation on the craft of writing binds together this wide-ranging collection, along with Theroux’s constant quest for the authentic in a person or in a place.

A master of unofficial travel and incisive observation, Theroux delivers a collection of unforgettable figures in a landscape:

• Globe-Trotting Adventures: From searching for Ayahuasca in Ecuador to trespassing in Africa, Theroux's travel essays reveal the world's hidden corners and the truth beyond the official story.
• Behind the Scenes with Icons: Take a helicopter ride over Neverland with Elizabeth Taylor, go on a walk of "street neurology" with Oliver Sacks, and explore New York with a surprisingly quiet Robin Williams.
• Incisive Literary Criticism: Re-examine the works and lives of literary giants like Joseph Conrad, Henry David Thoreau, and Hunter S. Thompson through Theroux's sharp, insightful lens.
• The Craft of Writing: A masterclass on the life of a freelance writer, the value of unofficial travel, and the unrelenting quest for authenticity that binds this powerful collection together.