Paul Theroux - The mosquito coast (03-039)

[gerbie]

Paul Theroux - The mosquito coast (03-039)

It had been a while since I read a book by Theroux. I love his travel books. He has been called a cynic by many, though I guess that could be seen as a recommendation as well. To me it isn´t necessarily a negative point. Theroux writes big books, which makes them ideal to take on a holiday, at least to me, as I read a lot and can´t take piles of books.

The Mosquito coast is a novel, yet it is also a travel book. An American family decides to leave the States, the country is not making progress according to Father. They end up in Honduras where they manage to create a little community where they live happily, all doing their daily chores. Father even manages to build an ice machine, use fire to make ice, even in the heat of central America. Yet father goes berserk and things do not look as brightly as they did before.

Great story, difficult to put down. It does help that I have been in Honduras and have some images in my head when I read this. Apart from that I saw a great movie with Robin Williams as the brilliant, yet crazy father. Greatly recommended.

Comments

[shebear.livejournal.com]

Wasn't that Harrison Ford as the father? I remember seeing the movie -- River Phoenix was the son. Sounds like a good book, maybe I'll check that one out.

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I didn´t know there was a movie. I just imagined one. When reading a book, I like to pretend things in my head, this was one. Apparently it was Ford in the movie, someday I´ve got to see it. I´m afraid it might disappoint me.

[shebear.livejournal.com]

Oh, I understand now. You pictured it that way, that makes sense. I don't remember much about the movie, except for the ice-making in the jungle. I saw it when I was relatively young.

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

So do you consider yourself relatively old now?

[saphiria.livejournal.com]

Hello,

it sounds like an interesting book... . Wich film with Robin Williams do mean? Its a great actor.

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I just read this one has been made into a movie already. While reading it, I just imagined him as the main character. And I do agree he is great.

[jeroen.livejournal.com]

it's one of my favorite books, I love Theroux's books

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

so do I, yet I do not read him often enough.