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The Old Patagonian Express

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The Old Patagonian Express

By: Paul Theroux
Narrated by: Norman Dietz
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Summary

The Old Patagonian Express tells of Paul Theroux's train journey down the length of North and South America. Beginning on Boston's subway, he depicts a voyage from ice-bound Massachusetts to the arid plateau of Argentina's most southerly tip.

Shivering and sweating by turns as the temperature and altitude rise and plummet, he describes the people he encountered - the tedious Mr Thornberry in Limón and reading to the legendary blind writer, Jorge Luis Borges, in Buenos Aires.

©1979 Cape Cod Scriveners Company (P)1986 Recorded Books Inc Adventure Travel Travel Writing & Commentary Adventure Latin American

Critic reviews

"One of the most entrancing travel books written in our time." (Financial Times)

"Travel writing at its most accomplished." (Sunday Telegraph)
All stars
Most relevant
Nicely performed but with a few little audio glitches. I enjoyed it. And it really did make me want to go on a long journey...

Not sure I loved it but was sad when it ended!

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Would have liked a bit more attempt at variety from the narrator in his Spanish accents which often sounded more like Chinese. But he did a good job of picking up Paul Theroux's humour and at times snide tone. The book is refreshingly honest in its depiction of the troubles and strife involved in travelling.

Great concept for travel book

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A unique travel experience that is so vibrant and vivid its as if your there.

Unique travel experience

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I liked the overall premise but, as the book progressed, I became increasingly concerned about the accuracy of the narrative. While berating other tourists for their minimal interest and lack of curiosity, Theroux often exhibits these very characteristics. However, overall it was an interesting perspective into the state of mind of someone undertaking such a journey.

Unreliable Narrator?

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No complaint about the book, its a good read but every sentence you can hear the reader clicking his lips together and it is relentlessly annoying.

Awful reader

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