Did you know that novels and stories are sometimes set in real life locations that you can actually visit? You did? Well, you must be very well read then 😉
Today we’ll take a look at some of the real places in famous books that you might like to visit for yourself – in real life, rather than only in your imagination. We know that sometimes books can be so enthralling, so vivid and well written that you feel like you’ve already been to a place, but these places are well worth venturing away on holiday for.
So, let’s pack your bags right now!
Cairo
Most stories that have a background in Egypt mention Cairo – it just is one of those places you cannot ignore!
Egypt is mentioned in many books, of course, but Agatha Christie’s famous Death on the Nile presents a particularly intricate picture of Egypt’s sprawling capital city. Many movies and TV series’ have been based around the book, in which detective Hercule Poirot travels from Europe to Egypt to investigate a murder.
The story follows a trip on the night boat on the river Nile where the murder takes place. The narrative is enough to inspire you to take a trip to the land of the pyramids.
Dublin
The Irish city of Dublin owes at least some of its popularity to its long and illustrious list of famous authors.
Arguably the greatest of them all was James Joyce. His book of short stories set in Dublin is presented in the book called The Dubliners. In it, we see Joyce as a young boy who roams the grim streets of Dublin where opportunities of joy are not very common. Joyce paints a somber picture of the town he grew up and experienced his first love watching the silhouette of the girl he admired.
Meanwhile, you can find another enchanting literary perspective on Dublin in Roddy Doyle’s Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.
Corfu
Not as many people are familiar with Corfu in Greece as they should be. British naturalist Gerald Durell, who grew up on this beautiful island, describes his childhood here in the excellent My Family and other Animals.
This book will make you think of your own childhood, and the author presents the glimpses of his childhood town before the place grew touristy.
You can also take a visit to Corfu and enjoy the local ale with some mouthwatering British gingerbread. After that, you can marvel at the charming painted ceilings of Church of St Spyridon.
London
A huge number of historical novels and stories have been set in London, so you don’t have to look very far for a literary account of what the city used to be like. For instance, authors like Conan Doyle or Charles Dickens set many of their works in London.
But if you want a contemporary take on the city, then John Lanchester’s Capital is the book you want. The story follows the life of residents living in a London street for a year, effortlessly juggling these characters’ emotions, ethnicities, nationalities, trials and tribulations.
What is your favourite real-life literary destination? Which of these places have you not visited yet? Read anything good lately? Let us know in the comments below!
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