The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia

Written by Paul Theroux

Narrated by Frank Muller

The Great Railway Bazaar is Paul Theroux's account of his epic journey by rail through Asia. Filled with evocative names of legendary train routes; the Direct-Orient Express, the Khyber Pass Local, the Delhi Mail from Jaipur, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Hikari Super Express to Kyoto and the Trans-Siberian Express; it describes the many places, cultures, sights and sounds he experienced and the fascinating people he met. Here he overhears snippets of chat and occasional monologues, and is drawn into conversation with fellow passengers, from Molesworth, a British theatrical agent, and Sadik, a shabby Turkish tycoon, while avoiding the forceful approaches of pimps and drug dealers. This wonderfully entertaining travelogue pays loving tribute to the romantic joys of railways and train travel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Oct 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781407464718

Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux (b. 1941) attended the University of Massachusetts then trained for the Peace Corps at Syracuse University. He was sent to Italy, then to Malawi. He was thrown out of the Peace Corps but remained in Africa, teaching in Uganda. Since then, he has traveled frequently, but now divides his time between Cape Cod and Hawaii. Other works include PIcture Palace, Mosquito Coast, Fong and the Indians, and Jungle Lovers.

Reviews for The Great Railway Bazaar

[Andrew Farnsworth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Epic, sprawling and entertaining journey across Asia and the Far East. Interesting accounts of a pre Islamic Revolution Afghanistan and Iran. Always a great narration from Mueller. One of the masters.

[Eddie Croasdell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well read but most Asian place names are pronounced incorrectly.

[jbsue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has been a favorite for me for years, but reader was like an actor and added a huge amount of atmosphere and humor to it. Awesome.