Is it time to get away from it all?
Time To Head Back To Paradise!
For one Writer, his getaways have become some of the most entertaining travel books of all time!
Great travel writer J. Maartan Troost returns to the most beautiful place in the world: the south seas! You know, beautiful beaches, endless sun, and, of yes, this as well:
“The man was eaten for his ‘mana’, that is the invisible power that resides in the head.”
Yes, cannibals! But that’s what makes the adventure so much fun, right? I mean, there has to be SOME price to pay for living here:
Time For More Great Troost Travel!
Time to share more outstanding travel writing…here, for example is a short passage from the beginning of the book – the Author speaking to a french man about what makes the french the french:
“Dreams, he said, while pale and smelling of regurgitated chicken, do sometimes come true and this, he concluded, was how we endure the tragedy, the comedy, of life, and for a moment I was reminded of why I love the French – not even blowing chunks will ruin ‘la grande romance’ of it all.”
Yep, J. Maarten Troost is back!
Just another hilariously written anecdote from one of my favorite Authors!
I love this Writer! J. Maarten Troost has written four terrific travel books – I will share his other work in a moment, but let’s celebrate his new work!
“Headhunters On My Doorstep” is the story of Troost returning to the south seas paradise he lived on…and what he has discovered since leaving…he uses a unique structure for returning: the book is a re-examination of Robert Lewis Stevenson’s classic travel writing from the same regions decades ago….you know, the guy who wrote the classic novel “Treasure Island” ended up moving in real life to the South Seas!
Troost re-traces Stevenson’s amazing journey to the South Pacific, and how his life changed once he moved there. Troost has changed, too – and the book is far more personal than any he has written before, but as always, beautifully written…
Here is an idea of Troost’s writing style, from page 159 of the book:
“Do you have some time?” Celine asked. Oh, I don’t know. I’m on an island in the middle of nowhere, without an ongoing ticket or a way off, amusing myself by going on desultory hikes to the set of ‘Survivor: Marquesas’ in the drenching rain. Yeah, I think I’ve got a couple of minutes to spare…
Yes, one of the areas explored by the Author is the location of the 4th season of the reality show “Survivor”…but Troost isn’t there to play a game – he brings to life a culture that is vibrant, proud, and nearly decimated by their interaction with white people.
As you can see, he’s got a way with words, which is why the book is so much fun to read, and full of fascinating information – about cannibalism, for example.
“The man was eaten for his ‘mana’, that is the invisible power that resides in the head.”
There is so much to love about this book, but it is a cautionary tale as well…as the world’s climate threatens to destroy an entire way of life…
In many ways, this is his most personal – and important – work. Of course, this should leave you breathless to read ALL of Troost’s books, so just click on my link below for my story about them all!
I recommend you read them in order!
Categories: Australia, Books / Media, China, Exotic Travel, Politics, Technology, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized, Wacky Food
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