Paul Theroux: What most recently moved you to tears?

The question

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Paul Theroux

American travel writer and novelist

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The death of my father in May 1995.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2013 source ↗

Others on this question

Lorraine Pascale British model and cook

When I spilled hot fat on my hand a couple of weeks ago.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 January 2014 source ↗

Melanie Blatt English singer

I haven’t stopped crying since Glastonbury, because I’m on a massive comedown.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 July 2023 source ↗

Tom Ellis Welsh actor

A couple of days ago, saying goodbye to my children.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 September 2021 source ↗

Judy Murray Scottish tennis coach

When Sean Connery died. He was a big tennis fan – a big Andy fan – and I met him a few times.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 December 2020 source ↗

The Buddhist monk Tapa Snim I met in Burma in 2007, all of whose earthly possessions he carried in a small bundle slung on one shoulder.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2013 source ↗

Political leadership generally.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2013 source ↗

Search the directory for somebody in particular.