J. Maarten Troost
Troost’s tale of his travels in China combine the best of Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson. He has Theroux’s somewhat critical view of his surroundings leavened by Bryson-like humor. Troost travelled far and wide throughout China, occasionally in the company of a friend and comic foil. He’s the best kind of travel writer: the kind you’d like to travel with. His adventures make for fascinating reading and he’s nearly cured me (painlessly) of any desire to visit China.