In the mid-1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind. A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.
His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that. Hence this book, Chasing the Sea:Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea. It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way:Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24-year-old who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.
This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society. In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing. In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral (葬礼) followed by a strange drinking party. And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.
Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a well-rounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes. His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach. As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage. Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.
词汇积累
1.translator n.译员;翻译
2.a string of一连串……;一批……
3.architectural adj.建筑学的;建筑方面的
4.drug dealing毒品交易
5.insight n.洞悉;了解
6.well-rounded adj.全面的
7.delicate adj.虚弱的
8.reportage n.新闻报道
1.What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?
A.His friends' invitation.
B.His interest in the country.
C.His love for teaching.
D.His desire to regain health.
2.What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A.Developing a serious mental disease.
B.Taking a guided tour in Central Asia.
C.Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.
D.Writing an article about the Aral Sea.
3.Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell's road trip in Uzbekistan?
A.Romantic.
B.Eventful.
C.Pleasant.
D.Dangerous.
4.What is the purpose of this text?
A.To introduce a book.
B.To explain a cultural phenomenon.
C.To remember a writer.
D.To recommend a travel destination.
