All Aboard the Slow Train: The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

 Technology, Predators, and Justice in C.J. Box’s Wolf Pack

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Taking the slow train to the ends of the earth.

A short summary:

Taking the slow train to the ends of the earth, The Great Railway Bazaar follows Paul Theroux as he crosses Europe and Asia entirely by rail, documenting the rhythms of train travel and the vivid characters he meets along the way. From bustling stations to remote border stops, the book becomes less about destinations and more about the movement itself; the long hours of watching landscapes slide past windows and the brief, intimate interactions with fellow travelers.

My favorite quote:

"Better to go first class than to arrive."

Paul Theroux, The Great Railway Bazaar

Questions to ponder while reading:

Do you like to travel?

Do you like the back roads?

My review:

This is a wonderful book about travel for travel’s sake,  not checklist tourism or luxury itineraries, but the simple act of journeying, observing, and being changed by motion. Theroux’s descriptions are sharp, atmospheric, and often witty; they made me feel like I was right there beside him in the train compartment, listening to conversations drift across platforms and feeling the quiet drag of distance. I found myself wanting to make the journey too; not to replicate his route exactly, but to embrace that slower, more attentive way of moving through the world. It’s a travel book that doesn’t rush you anywhere; it reminds you that going is often as meaningful as arriving.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller based in Tontitown, Arkansas.

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!