Perhaps it’s a fair assumption to make that we would all like to travel whenever we want, but let’s be honest- sometimes it’s just not possible! With all the worldly responsibilities and obligations on our plates, it’s not always possible to hit a pause on life and escape, right? Not really! You can still escape to a faraway land with a mere flip of a page and without leaving your couch!
Whether you are a seasoned reader or the kind to dapple in and out of the hobby every now and then, there is something about breaking the spine of a book to escape to an entirely fictional land, which is an experience worth treasuring. While this sweet escapade is welcome to a reader regardless of the premise, there is something special about a book that is expressly set around traveling and can take you to the cobbled Paris streets or the nippy air of the Pacific Crest Trail with every word you read.
For those times when life wins, and travel plans need to be paused, the times when wanderlust strikes but circumstances keep us rooted, books become the magic carpets that transport us to faraway lands and experiences. Book your ticket to a fictional trip right here and check out these fantastic books listed below for an exhilarating adventure through the pages of these literary gems.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
In Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, the travel theme serves as a poignant metaphor for personal growth and self-discovery. The protagonist, Santiago, embarks on a physical journey across the expansive desert, paralleling an internal odyssey of comprehending and seeking one’s destiny.
Coelho seamlessly integrates the character of travel into the novel, highlighting the notion that the journey itself holds as much importance as the destination. This narrative encourages readers to contemplate their life paths and pursue dreams with courage and persistence.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
In Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, travel serves as both the catalyst and transformative backdrop for the protagonist, Elizabeth, on her journey of self-discovery and healing. The book recounts Gilbert’s year-long global sojourn to Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Travel isn’t merely physical movement but a metaphorical pilgrimage representing the author’s quest for a more meaningful and authentic life. The diverse landscapes and cultures experienced reflected Elizabeth’s inner struggles, cravings, and, ultimately, her path to self-fulfillment.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild puts travel at the core of the protagonist’s transformative journey toward self-discovery and recuperation. The narrative traces Strayed’s solitary hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, covering over a thousand miles. This physically and emotionally demanding expedition becomes an analogy for her turbulent life, marked by loss, grief, and self-destructive behavior.
Through the lens of travel, Wild explores themes of self-reliance, reprieve, and the transformative impact of submerging oneself in the challenging landscapes that mirror the complexity of the human experience.
The Beach by Alex Garland
In Alex Garland’s The Beach, travel assumes a prominent and transformative role in the protagonist’s journey. The story follows Richard, a young backpacker searching for an idyllic utopia untouched by tourism. The allure of the mysterious beach becomes a metaphor for the search for utopia, and the journey itself transforms into a quest for self-discovery.
The novel delves into the deeper and darker facets of human nature and the repercussions of pursuing an idealized destination. Through the prism of travel, Garland prompts reflection about the nature of adventure, the quest for authenticity, and the impacts of defying societal norms.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman’s
In the gorgeous coming-of-age novel Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman, travel plays a character of its own, shaping the narrative and the characters’ emotional landscapes. Set against the idyllic backdrop of the sun-soaked Italian countryside, the novel follows the burgeoning romance between Elio, a precocious seventeen-year-old, and Oliver, a graduate student visiting Elio’s family for the summer.
The novel instantly charms you with the description of slow country life, fruit-bearing trees, lush landscapes, and swimming in lakes on hot and sweaty afternoons, all of which are not only a picturesque backdrop but also a metaphor for the transient nature of their relationship.
Travel in Call Me by Your Name becomes a poetic expression of the fleeting beauty of moments and the bittersweet reality of love found and lost. This is a perfect summer read when you want to get lost in the lazy Italian countryside and witness the yearning of young love.
The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara
Ernesto Che Guevara’s The Motorcycle Diaries delves into the profound impact of travel as a central theme throughout the narrative. Within the pages of the book, Guevara sets out on a transformative expedition across South America alongside his friend Alberto Granado, navigating the continent on their motorcycle, La Poderosa.
This journey acts as a pivotal stimulus for Guevara’s political awakening, marking his evolution into a revolutionary figure. The panoramic views and experiences across South America make it an adventurous read to curl up with.
Reading: A Flight Ticket of Imagination!
Every book we read forever leaves a mark on our soul, and it is true for the amazing titles mentioned above too!
Whether you are in the mood to be an armchair adventurer and go to a faraway land and learn about the sights and sounds fictionally, or you are planning to actually visit these places someday, reading books set around a beautiful location and traveling in its vein can be pretty refreshing. These books are more than mere stories; they are passports to uncharted territories, unlocking the doors to cultures, experiences, and adventures waiting to be had.
Happy reading, and may your literary travels be as boundless as your imagination!