SOURCE: Cussen, John. “Paul Theroux Approaches Sixty.” Journal of Modern Literature 23, nos. 3–4 (summer 2000): 589–96.

In the following review of Fresh Air Fiend, Cussen examines Theroux's attitudes toward aging, his commentaries on other noted travel writers, and his problematic postcolonial views.

Towards the end of “Ghost Stories: A Letter from Hong Kong on the Eve of the Hand-over,” the last of three China pieces in Paul Theroux' second essay collection, Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings 1985–2000, the author does something unusual. He tires. When he does so, he is in the Jeremy Irons-Sinead O'Connor suite of Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel, attending a farewell party for Ruben Blades. After the passing around of sushi, smoked salmon, champagne, and coffee—the writer cannot have any; he has the gout—Theroux excuses himself. He has an interview to do in the morning. He goes home early.

In the Paul Theroux canon, moments of fatigue...