Travelling to Write - Peter Hulme

Travelling to Write - Peter Hulme

[alert-success] Travelling to Write [/alert-success]

[alert-primary] Short Summary [/alert-primary]

     In December 1933, Patrick Leigh Fermor embarked on a significant journey from Rotterdam to Constantinople, traversing regions of Europe that would soon face the ravages of fascism and war. Following his distinguished military service in Crete, Fermor transitioned into a career as a travel writer, ultimately chronicling his pre-war expedition in his works "A Time of Gifts" and "Between the Woods and the Waters." His extensive knowledge and literary style align him with the 1930s tradition exemplified by Robert Byron and Peter Fleming.

     Although "A Time of Gifts" was not published until 1977, its release coincided with a wave of literature from younger authors such as Paul Theroux, Peter Matthiessen, Bruce Chatwin, and Robyn Davidson. This period marked a pivotal transformation in modern travel writing, indicating a shift in narrative style and thematic focus that would be explored further in the subsequent analysis.

Post War Voices:

     Fermor's first travel book, "The Traveller’s Tree," published in 1950, marked a significant return to travel writing after the tumultuous 1940s. It won the Heinemann Foundation Prize for Literature and established a continuity with pre-war writers, showcasing the ability of English gentlemen to travel and write with a sense of wit and ease. Other notable contemporaries of Fermor, such as Wilfred Thesiger, Eric Newby, and Norman Lewis, also contributed to the enduring popularity of travel literature throughout the latter half of the twentieth century.

     Thesiger's works, particularly "Arabian Sands" and "The Marsh Arabs," reflect his deep engagement with the cultures of Arabia and Iraq, providing valuable ethnographic insights. His writing celebrates the ancient spirit of the Arabs and critiques materialism, although his themes may appear outdated. The fascination with nomadic life persists in later travel writing, as seen in works by Geoffrey Moorhouse, Bruce Chatwin, and Robyn Davidson.

     Eric Newby’s "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush" features a brief encounter with Thesiger, contrasting their approaches to travel. Thesiger is portrayed as a genuine explorer, while Newby embodies a more modern, comfort-seeking traveler. This juxtaposition highlights the evolving significance of amateurism in travel writing during the twentieth century.

     Norman Lewis emerges as a key figure in post-war travel writing, characterized by his broad political interests and a commitment to reporting on lesser-known regions of the world. His notable works include "A Dragon Apparent" and "Golden Earth," which reflect his extensive travels across Asia and beyond.

     The post-war era saw travel writing become a viable literary career, influenced by the need for engagement with social and political issues. V.S. Naipaul's "The Middle Passage" exemplifies this shift, as he navigates the complexities of post-colonial identity and heritage while addressing the contentious nature of his subject matter.

     While women travel writers existed in the early twentieth century, the post-war tradition remained predominantly male until the 1970s. Dervla Murphy stands out as a significant female figure, embarking on her first journey from Ireland to India by bicycle in 1962. Her works, including "Muddling Through in Madagascar," reflect a blend of self-deprecation and unique maternal concerns, contributing to the broader narrative of travel writing during this period.      

New Forms

    V.S. Naipaul served as a mentor to Paul Theroux, a significant figure in the resurgence of travel writing during the late 1970s. Theroux's innovative approach combined the ruggedness of American travel with the literary sophistication of European writers. His early works, "The Great Railway Bazaar" and "The Old Patagonian Express," utilized train travel to explore remote regions, establishing a respectable mode of travel that resonated with readers. Although Theroux revitalized the genre, he did not fundamentally reformulate it, as evidenced by contemporaneous works that marked more significant turning points.

    Peter Matthiessen, an established traveler and writer, gained acclaim with "The Snow Leopard," published in 1978. This book, structured as a quest alongside zoologist George Schaller, infused spirituality and introspection into travel writing. Matthiessen's journey became a metaphor for personal exploration, emphasizing the connection between physical travel and inner renewal. The journal format and present tense narrative created an immediacy that engaged readers in his experiences and reflections.

    In contrast, Bruce Chatwin's "In Patagonia" and Robyn Davidson's "Tracks" were debut works by relatively unknown authors. Chatwin's narrative, which revolves around a quest for a piece of mylodon skin, employs a modernist style that contrasts with Matthiessen's earnestness. Davidson's "Tracks," while less formally innovative, is notable for its depiction of a challenging expedition across Australia, reflecting feminist and anti-racist perspectives. Both works, despite their differences, contributed significantly to contemporary travel writing.

    The three authors' journeys took place in challenging environments, highlighting their serious intentions. Matthiessen's exploration in the Himalayas, Davidson's trek through the Australian desert, and Chatwin's travels in Patagonia all reveal a commitment to understanding indigenous cultures and their ways of life. This ethnographic dimension aligns with Claude Lévi-Strauss's reflections on the relationship between anthropology and travel writing, as seen in Matthiessen's earlier works and Chatwin's later engagements with indigenous populations.

    The literary magazine Granta played a pivotal role in reviving interest in travel writing during the 1980s, connecting the genre with investigative journalism and contemporary political issues. This period also witnessed the emergence of counter-travel writing, exemplified by Jamaica Kincaid and Caryl Phillips, who critiqued the tourist industry and European racism, respectively. Collectively, these developments illustrate the evolving landscape of travel writing, marked by a blend of personal exploration, cultural awareness, and social critique. 

The State of Play

    There are five significant and overlapping strands in contemporary travel writing over the past twenty-five years: the comic, the analytical, the wilderness, the spiritual, and the experimental. The comic aspect has been particularly popular, with notable works ranging from Thomas Coryate’s "Crudities" to Bill Bryson’s "Notes from a Small Island." This tradition has evolved to include parody, as seen in Tony Hawks’s "Round Ireland with a Fridge."
    The analytical strand remains relevant, especially in the context of socio-political changes, such as the collapse of communism, which opened new avenues for exploration in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Works like Norman Lewis’s "The Missionaries" exemplify the urgency and political engagement that characterize this type of travel writing. Similarly, Scott Malcolmson’s "Tuturani" and Rebecca Solnit’s "Savage Dreams" reflect a keen observation of political landscapes intertwined with personal narratives.

    The wilderness strand highlights the enduring allure of remote locations, with contemporary writers exploring ecological themes alongside indigenous cultures. The search for 'lost tribes' in places like the Amazon and Papua New Guinea continues to captivate travel writers, while the concept of wilderness has expanded to include regions like Siberia and Alaska, often focusing on the interplay between physical challenges and spiritual journeys.

    The spiritual dimension of travel writing has gained prominence, with authors like Matthiessen and Davidson emphasizing the inner journey and personal renewal. This aspect often merges with memoir, as seen in Rob Nixon’s reflections on South Africa and Amitav Ghosh’s historical narratives.

    Finally, the experimental strand pushes the boundaries of the genre, blending various elements and challenging traditional categorizations. Writers like Colin Thubron and Jonathan Raban exemplify this trend, with Thubron’s explorations of political upheaval in Asia and Raban’s introspective journey to Alaska revealing the complexities of travel and personal experience. Raban’s narrative, in particular, intertwines personal loss with the broader themes of travel, showcasing the emotional depth that can emerge from such journeys.
    The text illustrates the dynamic nature of travel writing, highlighting its capacity to adapt and reflect the changing world while maintaining a rich tapestry of personal and cultural exploration.