The Kingdom by the Sea

"The Kingdom by the Sea" (1983) is a written account of a three month long journey taken by novelist Paul Theroux round the United Kingdom in the summer of 1982. Starting his journey in London, he takes a train to Margate on the English coast. He then travels roughly clockwise round the British coastline, mainly by train, getting as far north as Cape Wrath. He ends his journey in Southend. 1982 was the summer of the Falklands War and the year when Prince William was born. Theroux find these subjects as well as many others to talk to the many people he meets on his journey.

Contents of Book

# The 11.33 to Margate
# An Evening Train to Deal
# The Branch Line to Hastings
# The 18.11 to Bognor Regis
# A Morning Train to the Isle of Wight
# The Inter-City 125 to Plymouth
# The Cornish Explorer
# The Branch Line to Barnstaple
# The West Somerset Railway
# The 16.28 to Tenby
# The 10.32 to Criccieth
# The 20.20 to Llandudno Junction
# The 16.01 to Southport
# The West Cumbria Line
# The Boat Train to Ulster
# The 10.24 to Derry
# The 15.53 to Belfast
# The Train to Mallaig
# The Flyer to Cape Wrath
# The 14.40 to Aberdeen
# The 9.51 to Leuchars Junction
# The Last Train to Whitby
# Disused Railway Line
# The North Norfolk Railway
# Striking Southend