Figures in a Landscape, subtitled: People and Places; Essays: 2001-2016, is a collection of thirty essays, profiles, articles and book introductions all by Paul Theroux. The thirty pieces cover a wide variety of topics including authors, artists, celebrities, Africa, travel experiences, reading and the craft of writing.
This 2018 volume is a companion to earlier published collections of Theroux's essays and articles including Sunrise with Seamonsters (1985) and Fresh Air Fiend (2000).
Contents
# Title Topic(s) Previously appeared 1My Drug Tour: Searching for AyahuascaTrip to Ecuador in search of a psychoactive plantas "Honey, the Shaman Shrunk My Head", Men's Journal2Thoreau in the WildernessHenry David Thoreau, authorIntroduction to The Maine Woods (Princeton University Press)3Liz in NeverlandElizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson, celebrities and close friendsTalk magazine (defunct)4GreenelandGraham Greene, authorNew York Times and introductions to the Penguin editions of Greene's Journey Without Maps and The Comedians5Hunter in the Kingdom of FearHunter S. Thompson, author and gonzo journalistThe Guardian, newspaper6Conrad at SeaJoseph Conrad, authorIntroduction to Typhoon and Other Tales (Folio Society)7Simenon's WorldGeorges Simenon, authorIntroduction to The Widow (New York Review Books Classics)8Dr. Sacks, the HealerOliver Sacks, neurologist, naturalist and authoras "My Friend the Doctor", Prospect (February 20, 1999)9Nurse Wolf, the HurterA professional dominatrix in New YorkThe New Yorker (June 7, 1998)10Robin Williams: "Who’s He When He’s at Home?"Robin Williams, comedian and actorTalk magazine11Tea with Muriel SparkMuriel Spark, Scottish authorTalk magazine12Mrs. Robinson RevisitedOlder women, younger menHarper's Bazaar (March, 2002)13Talismans for Our DreamsCollecting objects in travelsDepartures (March 30, 2010)14The Rock Star's BurdenBono, Africa, charity & harm doneNew York Times (December 15, 2005)15Living with GeeseRaising geese, anthropomorphism and E.B. WhiteSmithsonian (December 2006)16Trespassing in AfricaA harrowing experience of Theroux as a young man in AfricaGranta17The Seizures in ZimbabweZimbabwe commercial farmers chased from their farms by local gangs and politiciansEpilogue to the paperback edition of Dark Star Safari18Stanley: The Ultimate African ExplorerReview of biography of Henry Morton Stanley by Tim JealNew York Times book review (September 30, 2007) 19Paul Bowles: Not a TouristPaul BowlesIntroduction to The Sheltering Sky (Penguin)20Maugham: Up and Down in AsiaW. Somerset MaughamIntroduction to The Gentleman in the Parlour (Vintage Classics)21English Hours: Nothing PersonalMemories as an expatriate living in England in 1970s and ‘80sGranta #114 (February 10, 2011)22Traveling Beyond GoogleTraveling to places despite receiving warnings to stay awayas "Why We Travel", New York Times (April 1, 2011)23Hawaii: Islands upon IslandsHawaii; reflections on the author's adopted home of 22 yearsas "One Man's Islands", Smithsonian magazine (May 2012)24Mockingbird in MonroevilleA visit to the Monroeville Alabama home town of Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbirdas "Return of the Mockingbird" in Smithsonian magazine (July 2015)25Benton's AmericaThomas Hart Benton and his work America TodaySmithsonian magazine (December 2014)26My Life as a ReaderAuthor's reading passionsIntroduction to On Reading, photographs by Steve McCurry (Phaidon)27The Real Me: A MemoryA harrowing experience of Theroux as a college studentn/a28Life and the MagazineLife magazine and meeting Gardner McKayNew York Times Magazine29Dear Old Dad: Memories of My FatherThe author's fatherGranta #98 (July 2, 2007)30The Trouble with AutobiographyThe genre of autobiographySmithsonian magazine (January 2011)
Reception
In the Irish Times Dervla Murphy found favor with "a superb set of musings on Graham Greene’s life and works."
In the New York Times Tom Zoellner said "What emerges [instead] is a portrait of an optimist with curiosity and affection for humanity in all its forms, as well as a ravenous appetite for the literary efforts of others."
Kirkus Review called it "A masterfully simple and satisfying collection."
In the Guardian Robert McCrum said "There are several highly entertaining essays here, and some quotably arresting lines, but the voice is elusive, unfixed and dissonant – an echo of the divisions within."
References