Chennai: “Leaving home, having a mentor…that’s what helped me in my journey as a writer,” said Paul Theroux, in an interactive session at Landmark in Apex Plaza on Saturday last.
The event, organised under the auspices of the US Consulate General, Chennai turned out to be a memorable one, laced amply with sparkling wit and riveting anecdotes. The eminent American travel and fiction writer had the audience hooked to his words for an hour, taking them through his early years and personal journey as a writer.
Known to discerning readers across the world for acclaimed works like The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia, The Old Patagonian Express, The Mosquito Coast and The Kingdom by the Sea, Theroux elucidated upon the need for the writer to be fearless and wary of power, which in his opinion corrupted many a writer who would otherwise have reached greater literary heights.
He also spoke of how he was more interested in the “human architecture” of the places he travelled to, than in mere bricks and stone. He also dwelt at length upon the literary greats of yesteryears, their talent and foibles.
The talk about his personal journey as a writer was followed by a highly charged interaction with the audience, who queried him on topics as diverse as his views about writers pandering to power and tips for aspiring writers, all of which he answered eloquently and delightfully.
And as for writing being a hard task, Theroux said that there are quite a number of jobs, which he said were far more tougher. He said that a good writer would have no cause for complaint, if only he would travel and observe the common man trying to make ends meet.
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