Paul Theroux at Nourse Theatre. Arts and Lectures Series SF October .

Paul Theroux wrote the "Iron Rooster" from a train journey in 1986-87, the very year I was in China, and of course, I read it, and then enjoyed many of his little novels about life in SE Asia, and tonight, heard him speak about America, in terms of the deep South.   He was critical of the Clintons, as the airport in Little Rock is named the "Hillary and Bill Clinton airport", and yet there is so much poverty in the state.   He says that people live off the land.  One of his more memorable quotes, which gives you a sense of where he was coming from, is: Raccoon?  Squirrel?  They is mighty good eatin'" He proceeded to give us the recipes and then told us how he gains trust with local people.  He tells them he is a retired geography teacher! Noone recognizes him.   He says the best way to gain information about people is to sit down at a meal with them.  He thinks America could be developing its industries and employing Americans in these states, instead of Asia, especially China.  Theroux lives half of the year in Hawaii and half the year in Massachusetts.   (More later; check updates)