by Susan Orlean
First published 2004
Susan Orlean takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the world's most captivating subcultures. From the pulsing heart of the African music scene in Paris to the eccentric World Taxidermy Championships in Illinois, each adventure brims with offbeat characters and vivid, unexpected discoveries. Orlean's sharp wit and insatiable curiosity turn the mundane into the marvelous, as she peels back the layers of places both foreign and familiar. At its core, this unconventional travelogue celebrates the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Genres: essays, travel, non-fiction, cultural
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water
302 pages · Paperback