Why is it often better for a writer to not put things into perspective?

Is this a great piece of poetic travel writing, or has it been overly polished?

Is this another author who distances himself from his story?

What were German readers looking for in a travel book after World War II?

Is this book more about contemplation or more about adventure?

Why is it so much fun to read Medieval travel stories that are at least partly untrue?

Is China really that quirky, or do we sometimes just want things to be a certain way?

Did conservative ethics turn this great adventure story into such a slow read?

Is this guy our average Joe from the Middle Ages?

If this is one of the classics of Portuguese literature, why is it such a slow read?