Paul Theroux is a jerk. But the most skillful writer I can name.
And he’s had a house in Hawaii for over 30 years.
Under the Wave at Waimea is his 2021 novel. Good insight into surf culture.
Professional Hawaiian surfer Joe Sharkey, the protagonist of Paul Theroux’s superb new novel, “Under the Wave at Waimea,” is in trouble — even before he accidentally kills a bicyclist on a dark, rain-drenched road on Oahu’s North Shore.
An aging surfer comes to terms with mortality in Paul Theroux’s superb ‘Under the Wave at Waimea’
Old-timers recognize and are thrilled to meet “the Shark,” as he’s nicknamed.
But to the younger surfing crowd, 62-year-old Joe is “just another leathery geezer in flip-flops.”
In short, he’s feeling old.
“When did it happen?” he wonders. “It wasn’t sudden — no illness, no failure; it had stolen upon him.” …
The Shark starts to fall apart after the accident. His 38-year-old girlfriend has him tested, but it doesn’t seem to be related to Alzheimer’s.
Joe starts telling the same old stories. Over and over again. I did enjoy the ones about Hunter S Thompson in Hawaii. 😀
Theroux is in his 80’s now. I’m thinking aging is much on his mind.
There’s a flashback to Joe’s school days. How he became a surfer. Hawaiian kids at Joe’s school did not appreciate the Haole. White man.
It could be adapted for television.
Rick McCharles 