Book Log 2010 #40: The Lunatic Express by Carl Hoffman

While Hoffman often travels for his work as a journalist, he decided to take one long trip around the globe on his own to experience the most dangerous forms of transportation, from ferry lines known to have boats sink due to overcrowding to dodgy airlines to unpaved mountain roads where one mistake would send an entire bus careening off a cliff. There was also danger in many locations due to crime and political instability, where being an American abroad could lead to kidnapping or murder.

But as Hoffman makes his way around the globe, he discovers two things. First, as questionable as these forms of transport are, they most often get to where they need to go, allowing people - many living on the fringes, making little money - to take necessary trips to find work or sell goods. The other thing he discovers is that even for people living a hand to mouth existance, there's a warm humanity that bridges gaps and allows for a level of understanding that's impossible on a macro level. Granted, not everyone is that friendly, but there's a connection Hoffman gets with people on his voyage that never quite occurs when traveling domestically in the US.

With travel writing I always mentally compare writers with Paul Theroux, given that I've read most (if not all) of his stuff. There's some similarity here in that both authors make strong connections with locals (natives and expats), and both take their journeys in the shadow of problems with the wife. Hoffman seems a little less willing to take a risk than young Theroux when it comes to seeing the country and how people live, but he makes up for it by being less negative about people.

I did like the book, but I admit that towards the end I may have been looking forward to the conclusion at least as much as Hoffman, as I thought the end dragged a bit. Still, very solid read.