Foreword

• Published in: The Road p. 1
• Main Author: Austin Coates
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Hong Kong University Press, HKU 01-07-2009
• Subjects: Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Arts; Biological sciences; Business; Civil engineering; Ecology; Engineering; Environmental management; Extractive industries; Highway engineering; Industrial sectors; Industry; Literary criticism; Literary studies; Literature; Man made reservoirs; Metals mining; Mining; Mining industries; Natural resource management; Precious metals mining; Road construction; Silver mining; Water distribution; Water management; Water supply systems
• ISBN: 9622090788; 9789622090781

When I was in New York in the autumn of 1956, my publishers, Harper & Brothers, suggested that it was time I wrote a novel. I had already written a travel book, Invitation to an Eastern Feast, which had received a warm critical welcome. My second travel book, Personal and Oriental, was about to come out to, as it transpired, an equally warm welcome.
Not caring much for the prospect of writing a novel, I decided on a tactic.
I replied: ‘It’s interesting you should say that, because I was thinking of writing a novel about a road. It might even