Video Night in Kathmandu, by Pico Iyer
Video Night in Kathmandu takes readers on an enthralling tour of 1980s Asia, showcasing Pico Iyer's keen eye and masterful storytelling. This collection of essays, widely regarded as Iyer's finest work, launched his career as a celebrated travel writer. Each chapter offers a unique lens into the countries he visited, from China's rapid westernization to Bali's struggle between tourism and tradition.
Iyer's timing couldn't have been better. He witnessed Hong Kong's final years under British rule and explored China in the wake of Mao's influence. His vivid accounts bring to life Nepal's hippie enclaves, India's bustling Bollywood scene, Japan's baseball obsession, and Thailand's hidden underbelly.
At its heart, Video Night in Kathmandu delves into the fascinating clash and mutual attraction between East and West. Iyer's writing is sharp and engaging, often thought-provoking and occasionally humorous. Even decades later, this book remains an invaluable window into a pivotal moment in Asian history. For anyone curious about the Far East or simply in search of masterful travel writing, Video Night in Kathmandu is a must-read.
“And Tibetan Buddhism was the first religion I had ever seen more impressive in its practice than its preaching. Back home, I had always harbored suspicions about the protestations of Tibetans or Tibetan-minded friends. Nor had I ever been able to follow the abstruse cerebrations of their doctrine. Yet the Tibetans I met - gentle yet tough, devout but fun-loving, masters of magic and machinery - thoroughly disarmed me. And the devotion I saw everywhere in their country moved me beyond words. Whenever I was alone in the Tibetan sunlight and silence, I felt that these were days of heaven and I would never know such purity again.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Pico Iyer is a prominent travel writer, best known for his books on crossing cultures and trips to some of the world's least explored places. He has published a number of non-fiction travel books and a couple novels, and he is a frequent contributor to Time, Harper’s, the New York Times, and many other publications. Click here to learn more about Pico Iyer and his work.
Read the New York Times 1998 review of Video Night in Kathmandhu.
This book is a staple in travel writing. See our full list of the best travel books by clicking here.
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