'And do you think, Dame Freya,' an interviewer once asked Freya Stark, 'that travel broadens the mind?' There was a pause. The explorer pondered; a distant, reflective gaze settled on her face. The young man sat back, well pleased to see his question taken so seriously: for a minute, he could have been forgiven for thinking he was onto a winner. At last it became clear that Dame Freya was about to pronounce. He lent forward, expectantly. 'No,' the clear voice enunciated with extreme finality. 'No.' There was nothing more to be said.

LRB 15 May 1980 | PDF Download