This contribution studies the various structures of narrative levels and stylistic elements of the travel book Le poisson ? Scorpion by the Swiss ?traveller-writer? Nicolas Bouvier (1929 ? 1998). It depicts the single aspects of Bouvier´s purgative writing, through which the author tries to wipe out his unhappy experience from his stay in Ceylon by binding it in a steady form of words. Two narrative levels of this unprecedented work are followed: while respecting his critical view, the author depicts the stagnant atmosphere of that parched place as the dumb side-wings of a theatre stage. On the other hand he let himself be caught as a puppet being under the total, paralysing control of this scene. The story concludes in an acceptance of all lessons of the journey when both levels merge in this half realistic, half fictional work.