Lost on Planet China, by J. Maarten Troost
Lost on Planet China offers readers a hilarious and eye-opening journey through the Middle Kingdom. J. Maarten Troost, known for his sharp wit and keen observations, dives headfirst into the chaos and wonder of China in his third travelogue. Troost begins his adventure in Beijing, where he grapples with the city's sheer size and energy. He stands in awe before Chairman Mao's preserved body, narrowly avoids death-by-taxi on the chaotic streets, and bravely samples dishes like "chicken with a thousand claws." His honest reactions to these experiences make you feel like you're right there with him, alternately amazed and baffled.
As Troost ventures beyond the capital, he paints a vivid picture of a country in rapid transition. In Shanghai, he marvels at futuristic skyscrapers rising next to crumbling neighborhoods. Along the Yangtze River, he witnesses both the environmental toll of the Three Gorges Dam and the determination of displaced villagers to rebuild their lives. The author's time in Tibet proves particularly moving. Troost describes the spiritual power of the Potala Palace and the warmth of the Tibetan people, while also grappling with the region's complex political situation.
Throughout his journey, Troost masters essential traveler skills: the art of haggling in night markets, deciphering menus with indecipherable characters, and the triumph of finding a clean public restroom. These everyday challenges, told with self-deprecating humor, make China feel both exciting and accessible to the reader.
Lost on Planet China goes beyond mere tourism. Troost's keen insights into China's economic rise, environmental challenges, and changing society offer a nuanced look at a country poised to shape the 21st century. This book is a must-read for anyone curious about modern China, told through the eyes of a very funny and relatable guide.
“How can then this author, who neither speaks Chinese nor has any particular expertise regarding their history or culture, write a book, a biggish book, about China? This is the question that the author mulled inside the coffeehouse that day. He pondered the matter, turned it over, approached it from every angle. And finally he decided there was only one way he would do it. He would write honestly about China. He would write from the perspective of a guy who neither speaks Chinese nor has all that much knowledge pertaining to things Chinese, a guy who spent month after month just wandering around this massive and rapidly changing country, without a plan, learning and experiencing life there.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
M. J. Troost, a globetrotter with Dutch-American roots, has made a name for himself crafting witty and offbeat tales of his adventures in Pacific island communities. His literary journey kicked off after immersing himself in the cultures of Kiribati and Vanuatu for extended periods, experiences that became the cornerstone of his initial forays into travel writing. Click here for our review on his best known book, The Sex Lives of Cannibals.
Here are some of the funny highlights. Troost recounts accidentally eating dog meat in a remote village, thinking it was pork. He describes his horrified realization in a darkly comedic way. The author details his misadventures with "squat toilets" throughout China, including a particularly memorable incident in a crowded train bathroom. Troost describes attempting to order food using his limited Mandarin, resulting in some bizarre and unappetizing meals. In one instance, he believes he accidentally ordered a plate of duck beaks.
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