**Fully-illustrated,** **_The Passenge_** **r collects the best new writing, photography, art and reportage from around the world.**

IN THIS VOLUME: _The Sea Between Lands_ by David Abulalfia; _The Liquid Road_ by Leïla Slimani; _The Cold One, the Hot One, the Mad One, and the Angry One_ by Nick Hunt • plus: the sounds and smells of the Mediterranean; the ceaseless hunt for tuna; the invention of the Mediterranean diet; and much more…

The word “Mediterranean” has always evoked something larger than geography. For millennia, it has designated a distinct cultural and historical space, one where different peoples have met, traded, and—not infrequently—clashed. Starting from its Latin etymology (“in the middle of the Earth”), the Mediterranean is intimately connected with ideas of connection, exchange, and multiplicity.

Today, however, the Mediterranean appears to be in crisis. Neglected by the European Union—which often sees North Africa and the Middle East as a threat, or at best as a source of energy—the Mediterranean is at the center of one of the greatest migrations in history. While every year hundreds of millions of vacationers flock to its shores, as in a distorting mirror hundreds of thousands of people face a dramatic journey in the opposite direction—to escape wars, persecutions, and poverty. The liquid road, as Homer called it, is increasingly militarized, trafficked, and polluted—as well as overheated and overfished.

This volume of _The Passenger_ dives deep into the complex issues and contradictions facing the Mediterranean. As the book shows, despite its problems, the Mediterranean remains a source of wonder and fascination—a space not entirely colonized by modernity, where time flows differently, and where multiple cultures and languages are in closer contact and dialogue than elsewhere.

14-day returns

On items eligible for returns, you have 14 days from delivery to submit a return request. Learn more.

Ordering between the UK and the EU?

There are no hidden fees or additional charges once you’ve paid for your order. Enjoy hassle-free cross-border shopping. Learn more