The Vanishing Point: Stories

by Paul Theroux

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The author of Burma Sahib and Dark Star Safari is back with a stunning collection of short fiction featuring characters grappling with an ever-changing world. Empathetic and engrossing, The Vanishing Point is great for fans of Amor Towles.

From the bestselling novelist, travel writer, and “master of the short story” (NPR) comes a brilliant new collection.

The stories in Paul Theroux’s fascinating new collection are both exotic and domestic, their settings ranging from Hawaii to Africa and New England. Each focuses on life’s vanishing points—a moment when seemingly all lines running through one’s life converge, and one can see no farther, yet must deal with the implications. With the insight, subtlety, and empathy that has long characterized his work, Theroux has written deeply moving stories about memory, longing, and the passing of time, reclaiming his status, once again, as a master of the form.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358722250
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/28/2025
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Paul Theroux is the author of many highly acclaimed books. His novels include Burma Sahib, The Bad Angel Brothers, The Lower River, Jungle Lovers, and The Mosquito Coast, and his renowned travel books include Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, On the Plain of Snakes, and Dark Star Safari. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.

Editorial Reviews

"Theroux is a master of the short story. The form is perfectly suited to Theroux’s skills; the journalist’s eye for detail and the novelist’s sense of drama are enhanced by his gifts as a pure storyteller....Theroux's stories recall those of de Maupassant or O. Henry, complete with a twist ending. Each bears Theroux’s unmistakable adventurous curiosity and philosophical musings." — Booklist (starred review)

From the Publisher

The vanishing point in a work of art is the point where receding parallel lines seem to meet. In this audiobook, author Paul Theroux uses this concept in his collection of 18 short stories, each involving a critical moment when life patterns come together. The stories are about men in different countries and in different stages of life. Narrator Joe Knezevich's deep, resonant voice is a perfect match for these characters. He expertly animates men as diverse as an unhappy Boy Scout, a giddy transgender student, and an angry, aging monseigneur. Theroux is a literary craftsman, but some listeners may find his topics lacking contemporary edginess. Most listeners will welcome his tempered wisdom and cultivated perspective. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2025 - AudioFile