The thread on films here started me thinking because I’m more likely to think about going someplace because of a book than a film.
I’ve seen elsewhere about people traveling inspired by mystery novels with really local characters like Inspector Maigret or the Swedish Millenium Trilogy, but I think that more people are probably inspired by things they remember from history books or other novels. Some I can think of are The Girl with a Pearl Earring, which made the idea of the Netherlands more intriguing, and some of Barbara Tuchman’s books on European history.
What are yours?
There are so very many great travel tales. I am partial to non-fiction. I enjoy reading well researched, historical accounts of the human drama that is within the scenery.
I enjoy writing that gives a strong sense of place and context to what I see.
” The Old Patagonian Express ” by Paul Theroux
” The Pillars of Hercules ” by Paul Theroux
” Cut Stones and Crossroads: A Journey to Peru ” by Ronald Wright
” Basin and Range ” by John McPhee
” Two Years Before the Mast “ by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
” Hawaii ” by James A. Michener
I enjoy a good fiction book as well as non-fiction, especially if the writer is skilled.
I really liked “Travels” by the late great Michael Crichton, my favorite of the nonfiction travel books I’ve read..
“Robinson Crusoe” made me want to visit tropical islands as a boy.
“Fantastic Voyage” by Isaac Asimov intrigued me with traveling at a cellular level, within a human body no less (maybe lead to my current day job?)
And my all-time favorite, “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Made me want to travel to the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and beyond. Sadly, this will be a journey only of my imagination.
I love museums,natural sights and architecture ,but what really makes to travel is the interesting people I meet. Some books seem to capture those unique characters that you meet while traveling, especially on a budget.I’m reading” Down and Out in Paris and London “now and George Orwell has brought up a flood of memories of the different people I’ve met and that keeps me wanting to travel more and more.