• The Great Railway Bazaar

  • By: Paul Theroux
  • Narrated by: Frank Muller
  • Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (489 ratings)

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The Great Railway Bazaar  By  cover art

The Great Railway Bazaar

By: Paul Theroux
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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Publisher's summary

The Great Railway Bazaar is Paul Theroux's account of his epic journey by rail through Asia. Filled with evocative names of legendary train routes - the Direct-Orient Express, the Khyber Pass Local, the Delhi Mail from Jaipur, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Hikari Super Express to Kyoto, and the Trans-Siberian Express - it describes the many places, cultures, sights, and sounds he experienced and the fascinating people he met.

Here he overhears snippets of chat and occasional monologues, and is drawn into conversation with fellow passengers, from Molesworth, a British theatrical agent, and Sadik, a shabby Turkish tycoon, while avoiding the forceful approaches of pimps and drug dealers. This wonderfully entertaining travelogue pays loving tribute to the romantic joys of railways and train travel.

©1975 Paul Theroux (P)1983 Recorded Books LLC

What listeners say about The Great Railway Bazaar

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    248
  • 4 Stars
    137
  • 3 Stars
    66
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    20
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    94
  • 3 Stars
    32
  • 2 Stars
    12
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    16
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    213
  • 4 Stars
    115
  • 3 Stars
    53
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    14

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Just about as good as it gets...

It's great to have this at Audible, an amazing trip by Paul Theroux, with great narration by the late Frank Muller, he captures Theroux's attitude, mood, and "crankiness," perfectly.

Additionally, the book has what I think is the best attribute of recorded books; forward momentum. I usually listen while walking, and I think the best books help me move forward.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Example of Travel Writing

This audiobook was a true pleasure. Frank Muller's narration was pitch perfect at every turn, from his delivery of a Tamil man criticizing the New Delhi elites, to his performance of Theroux's own sometimes understated, sometimes exasperated, sardonic wit.

The greatest pleasure of this travel account is it's subjectivity! Theroux is so frank about his likes and dislikes, his expectations and disappointments, you really connect with his assessments, even if you don't agree with them.

Also, this book is funny as hell. I laughed out loud commuting on the subway, walking in the park, or sitting on my couch. I looked forward to every minute of listening, and I often backed up just to listen to a conversation a second or third time.

Definitely my top listen of 2015 (and I've listened to over 20 books so far this year!).

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite audio books so far.

Any additional comments?

Sharp observations and dry wit combined with absolutely beautiful writing about far away places. I want to read more by Paul Theroux. And Frank Muller's outstanding voice acting brought this book to life. His voice seemed perfectly suited for the material, I felt like the author himself was there. And his wide range of accents was astonishing.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Paul Theroux is a master of travel writing

For those who think he is callus or jaded in his writings then you are a tourist not a traveler. If you want sunshine and resorts watch the Travel Channel. Traveling is not about package tours. Traveling is about experiencing life and sometimes it is ruff.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect

Great story by Theroux, great performance by Muller.
Hilarious, fascinating, engaging and inspiring.
One of the best books I've read in a long time

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Peter Sellers Accent- Such a put off

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I had read this book when i was in school, which was a long long time ago. Railways has always been a fascination and it was delightful at that time to read about other countries ( i am from India ) and their Railways. I have recently started on Audible and wanted to listen to this book. The book started off alright in London and then rapidly moved through Turkey, Afghanistan, India with a grating Peter Seller's from the movie Party accent for every single non white person in the book. I really wish the book had been read with one non descript accent rather than this cacophony of made up accents. Seems like a burra sahib deciding to teach the natives a lesson on how to pronouce something.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

must listen for any Theroux fan

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The GRB is one of the classics in travel books. If you are a railroad buff like me, it is almost "required" listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Great Railway Bazaar?

Theroux has a way to making the people he meets on the trains into unforgettable characters

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

He has an easy to listen to voice. In my mind he is the voice of Theroux now, even though I don't know what he really sounds like =)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Umm.. a little too long for that =) Great for a road-trip

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Riviting

What did you love best about The Great Railway Bazaar?

I loved Theroux's frank descriptions of what he experienced and how he felt about everything.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me want to take the same trip--or ar at least parts of it.

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

Muller's tempo is just right, alternating appropriately from phrase to phrase and he speaks the various accents convincingly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very funny book ,great story, ruined by narrator

Would you try another book from Paul Theroux and/or Frank Muller?

Any Paul Theroux book yes, not narrated by Frank Muller, wrong person for this author.
I read the physical book and it was so very funny; I could not continue to listen to the overwhelming gravitas of Frank Muller's narration

Would you be willing to try another one of Frank Muller’s performances?

no

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent depiction

I love travel and love travelogues.
This is my first experience with Paul Theroux and I extremely enjoyed his humor and his insight.

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1 person found this helpful