Paul Theroux - The Lower River

Financial Times“Theroux is a masterly observer...” 'The Lower River' is a dark and disenchanted examination of Africa in the 21st century. That it is underpinned by Theroux’s deep and undimmed affection for the continent only makes his novel all the more powerful...

Guardian“Masterly, moving portrait of how Africa ensnares and enchants...” One of the many admirable things about this novel is that Theroux's affection for the country never slackens, even as he savages the lies, theft and thuggery of local leaders, and the iron-hearted do-goodery of foreign aid agencies...

The Telegraph“Darkly enthralling...” The text is carved in solemn, sleek sentences of acute descriptive ability, whose cumulative effect is to induce a tension of uncanny grip. There is a cynical, but not unpleasant, wisdom at work here...

Los Angeles Times“Peopled with stock bit players, and disappointingly familiar...” I looked for signs of satire but could find none. If Theroux wants to teach us lessons - and it is clear from his nonfiction writing that he does - it is unfortunate that he relied on such stale tropes...

The New York Times“Riveting in its storytelling...” 'The Lower River' is provocative in its depiction of this African backwater, infusing both with undertones of slavery and cannibalism, savagery and disease...