---
product_id: 17983446
title: "Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings"
brand: "paul theroux"
price: "$59.61"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Books"
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/17983446-fresh-air-fiend-travel-writings
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings

**Brand:** paul theroux
**Price:** $59.61
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings by paul theroux
- **How much does it cost?** $59.61 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/17983446-fresh-air-fiend-travel-writings)

## Best For

- paul theroux enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted paul theroux brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings

## Images

![Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings - Image 1](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41NhWsdjNfL.jpg)
![Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings - Image 2](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518lMRpS8PL.jpg)
![Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings - Image 3](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31Yl+nPBHiL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Palate-Pleasing Sampler
  

*by N***X on Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2006*

As someone first introduced to Mr. Theroux's works with "The Great Railway Bazaar" and who has savored a steady diet of his observations, insights and sardonicism since then, "Fresh Air Fiend" proves yet another palate-pleasing repaste. This is one you can nibble on here and there and see whether you can stop at "just one" in a single sitting.By far the oddest, and most intriguing piece in this wonderful collection mocks a portion of the exceptional opening essay, Being a Stranger. In it, Theroux admits he has little use for the intrusion of two-way electronic communications in everyday life (revealing he lived without a phone in the English countryside for years): "Connection has made people arrogant, impatient, hasty, and presumptuous," he says, adding "... I found out much more about the world and myself by being unconnected."This electronic aceticism (his nib pen, stolen during a burglary, he considers priceless for its memories), is a logical extension of the author's oft-stated preference for traveling solo, without a camera, choosing encounters and freezing impressions in his mind. Thus it was a bit of a shock to read the selection, "Connected in Palau," in which Theroux loaded himself up with every conceivable two-way gadget and trekked to a remote Pacific island to enact a new twist on Crusoe: would 'Friday' be his local guide, his brother Gene via uplink, or once again, Theroux himself, as he always seems to take solace in his own company?"Connected in Palau" bounces back and forth from Theroux's monkeying with his gadgets in the midst of one of the most offbeat locations on earth to snapshot impressions of the habitat. Those impressions are interesting but not vintage Theroux. Did connectivity deaden Paul's powers of observation (I doubt it)? Did he deliberately engage in flash-in-the-pan descriptions of Palau to point up the dangers inherent in too much connectedness? And when he wraps up and talks about true silence finally descending upon this speck of territory, did he really mean from the lack of sound of water or from his own intrusive equipment? Finally, what price did the author personally pay in tethering himself to the global village for the purpose of writing this little morality tale when the odds of returning to Palau must have been remote?"Connected in Palau" is just one of more than four dozen treats awaiting the reader of "Fresh Air Fiend". It's a great way to review Theroux's travels and musings over the period 1985-2000 and revel once more in one of the past half-century's most gifted writers and social commentators. Highly recommended.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    So far, one of the best travel books I have read
  

*by T***G on Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2006*

I just started reading this book last night and I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep.  I actually thought about it at night and I can't wait to read it today.  I have read many, many travel writers and I can now put Paul Theroux on my list of authors to read.  I was sad when I finished Bill Bryson's last book because I have now read every book he has written but now I have a new favorite author to inspire me to travel and to make me think about things I may not of thought before about certain people, places and customs.Already Theroux has given me an insight unlike any travel writer has given me before.  The way he writes is better than any travel writer I have found and it is in this exceptional writing that he conveys his thoughts to the reader for good or bad.  He makes no apologies for thinking the way he does he only says, "this is how I feel".  And I admire that in an author.So far this book is more than a summation of the places Paul has been and the people he met along the way but it is an insight into himself and also his views on people in general.  Most of it is his opinion of the way people act and think taking brief quotes from other authors, Freud, etc. but it somehow works.  I look forward to reading the rest of his books to get the whole picture of his travels and not a series of short essays.  So far this is a perfect introduction to Theroux and I highly recommend it.

### ⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Not the Theroux Style at All!
  

*by S***S on Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2020*

Theroux is meant to be understood in his writings by focusing on one journey through parts of the world.  This is not a book worthy of Theroux’s talent for writing.I’m surprised I gave this two stars when one would be more appropriate.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/17983446-fresh-air-fiend-travel-writings](https://www.desertcart.us/products/17983446-fresh-air-fiend-travel-writings)

---

*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-02-15*