Book Log 2021 #1: On the Plain of Snakes by Paul Theroux

Spurred to investigate the truth behind the rhetoric and stereotypes that dominate the discussion of the US-Mexico border, Theroux bought a used car and set out to drive the border, and then deep into Mexico itself, to get a sense of what current day Mexico is like and what motivates its people to either stay or go to the US.

The result is, not surprisingly, far more complex and nuanced than what we get from the evening news or blustering politicians. And while Theroux occasionally falls into stereotypes himself, he is a seasoned enough traveler to know how to connect with locals and draw conclusions from their stories. And while I miss the stories of his train travels, using a car gives him more time and flexibility to follow stories as they develop.