The Vanishing Point
Stories
by Paul Theroux
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Pub Date Jan 28 2025 | Archive Date Mar 25 2025
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Description
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.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9780358722250 |
PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 336 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Paul Theroux's The Vanishing Point is a masterful collection that deftly captures life's poignant moments of convergence and loss with his trademark insight and empathy.
From the bestselling author of The Mosquito Coast, Paul Theroux’s newest book The Vanishing Point is a poignant and melancholic collection of short stories.
Theroux is a new author to me and has sparked a desire to uncover more. He writes with ease but with deep curiosity and wisdom. There seems to be a constant need, a hunger, to know more; of never fully being satisfied.
Each short story follows a different character in a different place and time, but all seem to have the similar tone and theme –looking for happiness and contentment in life but also fearing the end, the vanishing point. Death.
“It’s a point... it doesn’t really vanish.”
The stories encourage the reader to reflect on what it is we love and know about our world, then leave it. Walk away. Become detached from money, possessions, complicated family dynamics, government... Slow down and take in life from a different perspective.
There are a handful of uncomfortable moments. Theroux’s use of offending stereotyping or descriptions or lifestyle choices made me wince a few times. It forced me to analyze... was this his intent? I think so. In this way, it takes the veil off the reader’s eyes to fully display the effects it has on the person that this is being said to or done. It puts emphasis on the importance of passing the torch to the next generation. Which values and beliefs will die, and which will continue to live on?
This is a fantastic collection. My mind and soul are better for having read it.
Thank you @MarinerBooks and @NetGalley for sending an Advance Reader’s Copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Another solid entry into Theroux’s writings. As always each story is very insightful with a thought of passages that really make you think. Each story is unique with lots to take away. Overall a fun read!
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have read other books by this author, and I was not disappointed. There quality of writing was the same, and I couldn't put it down. I came into it wondering if I would enjoy it as much since it was a collection of short stories versus one long novel. The author did an amazing job through each story, and I would recommend this to others. Thank you Net Galley ARC!
Another knockout punch from this author! A big thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The writing is sparse, descriptive, and tickles each of the reader’s senses. It’s literary in approach, but commercial in pacing. I love that when it involves short stories.
I recommend this to anyone who appreciates a solid read. Well done!
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