With the power of words, these authors have taken us to destinations we’ve dreamt about. From train travel to the jet set, transcontinental adventures to literary essays, these authors and books are the toast of travel writing around the world. Are you ready
for the trip?
The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia
by Paul Theroux
Because Theroux , the grand old man of travel writing, has influenced generations of readers. No other travelogue captures the romance of riding on the Trans-Siberian Express the way this book does.
Expect: Railway stories and colourful anecdotes with a typically desi touch!
On The Road
by Jack Kerouac
Because Kerouac captured the life, loves and adventures of America’s post-war Beat generation beautifully through the narrative prism of acid-laden road trips made across and through the United States and Mexico. Time magazine chose it among the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005.
Expect: Oodles of Americana and nuggets about jazz music of the 1950s.
In Patagonia
by Bruce Chatwin
Because British writer Chatwin’s attempt at reconstructing the escapades of his grandmother’s uncle through South America is epic in its literary ambition and swashbuckling narrative. Rated as one of the most engaging travelogues ever.
Expect: Legends of Latin America where bandits were made welcome and chapters about the log cabin built by Butch Cassidy!
In Patagonia
by Bruce Chatwin
Because British writer Chatwin’s attempt at reconstructing the escapades of his grandmother’s uncle through South America is epic in its literary ambition and swashbuckling narrative. Rated as one of the most engaging travelogues ever.
Expect: Legends of Latin America where bandits were made welcome and chapters about the log cabin built by Butch Cassidy!
The Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, And The Search for Home
by Pico Iyer
Because Indian-origin travel writer Iyer was born in Oxford, raised in California and has been based in Japan since 1992. Clearly, his eclectic upbringing and influences make this collection of essays an enjoyable multicultural contemporary experience.
Expect: The all-pervasive feeling of rootlessness that a lot of the young global souls can identify with. Iyer calls it getting into the mind of the ‘Nowherians’
Destinations, Essays From Rolling Stone
by Jan Morris
Because, the collection of essays by Welsh historian and travel writer Morris makes cities come alive thanks to her effortless, elegant writing. "Read her on Los Angeles, Manhattan or New Delhi and you’ll never want to read anyone else on those places again," says fellow travel writer Pico Iyer about the author.
Expect: Colourful despatches originally written for Rolling Stone magazine about India in the Emergency, post-Watergate Washington and protests in London.
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From HT Brunch, March 22
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