Title: The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari
Author: Paul Theroux
First published January 1, 2013
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780618839339 (ISBN10: 061883933X)
Rating: 3.87
Overview
In The Last Train to Zona Verde, Paul Theroux embarks on one last journey through the continent he holds dear. After fifty years of traversing the world, he returns to Africa, where he first fell in love with its vast expanse.
Beginning in Cape Town, he makes his way through South Africa and Namibia, then ventures into the lesser-known territory of western Africa, eager to explore the untamed wilderness. As he travels alone through the continent, Theroux encounters a world far removed from the tourist hotspots and postcolonial dreams of independence.
He witnesses the improvised, slapped-together Africa of tumbled fences and cooking fires, of mud and thatch, of heat and poverty. After a grueling 2,500-mile journey, he reaches the end of the line, both literally and metaphorically.
In typical Theroux fashion, he chronicles his thoughts and emotions with unsparing honesty, culminating in a chapter aptly titled “What Am I Doing Here?” With vivid prose and his signature wit, The Last Train to Zona Verde is a poignant and fitting final African adventure from one of the world’s most celebrated travel writers.
About the Author
Paul Edward Theroux, an American writer, is widely recognized for his travel writing and novels. His most famous book, The Great Railway Bazaar (1975), chronicles his journey by train through Great Britain, Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Japan, before returning through Russia to his starting point.
In addition to travel writing, Theroux has authored several works of fiction, some of which have been adapted into feature films. He earned the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1981 for his novel.
Theroux is related to several other notable individuals, including his children, siblings, and nephew.
Editoral Review
The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari by Paul Theroux is an enthralling travelogue that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Africa. Known for his evocative travel writing, Theroux’s latest book chronicles his final journey through the continent that has captured his heart and his imagination for over five decades.
The Last Train to Zona Verde paints a vivid and at times deeply poignant picture of Africa – a continent that is often portrayed in the Western media as either too hopeless or too exotic to be real. But Theroux’s Africa is a place of unrelenting beauty, of wild animals and vast landscapes that speak to the soul.
And yet, it’s also a place of stark contrasts, where hope and despair, life and death, often coexist in close proximity. The book begins with Theroux’s departure from Cape Town, South Africa, where he sets out on a journey northwards through Namibia, Angola, and finally into the Congo.
Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters – from fellow travelers to locals – each with their own stories to tell. Through their eyes, we gain a deeper insight into the complexities and contradictions of African culture, history, and politics.
One of the strengths of The Last Train to Zona Verde is the way in which Theroux brings Africa to life through his writing. He is an exceptional storyteller, able to weave together a tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions that transport the reader straight into the heart of the continent.
His descriptions of the landscape are particularly striking, and he has a keen eye for detail that makes even the most mundane moments feel significant. Another strength of the book is the way in which Theroux is able to balance his personal journeys with broader observations about African society.
His reflections on colonialism, corruption, and poverty are insightful, but never preachy, and he is always respectful of the people he meets along the way. However, there are some weaknesses to the book.
At times, the pace can feel slow, with long stretches of introspection that may not appeal to all readers. Additionally, while Theroux’s depiction of Africa is generally sympathetic, there are moments where his perspective can feel out of touch with the realities on the ground.
Overall, The Last Train to Zona Verde is an exceptional piece of travel writing that will enchant anyone with an interest in Africa. It’s a beautifully crafted book, rich in detail and emotion, and it’s impossible not to be swept up in Theroux’s sense of wonder and awe.
While it may not appeal to everyone, it’s certainly worth picking up for anyone looking for a literary journey through one of the world’s most fascinating and misunderstood regions. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
