More often, people travel around the world armed with a guidebook. Although it is much more interesting to use works of art instead. So today publish an article about the books, which you definitely need to take with you on tour. This review of the books is devoted to Scandinavia.
The only generally accepted trend in contemporary literature can be described as travelogue. Travelogues – namely, the so-called works about travelling to different countries – take all the credit today. The publishing house “Amphora” even had a hotel series of travel, and the “European edition” – a series of Travel Series. In the West, the genre City-lit – literature about the most famous cities is gaining popularity. The latest novelty is collection of excerpts from famous works about cities. “Eksmo” released a book of travels, written by Andre Maurois, “Publishing House Meshcheryakov” is not lagging behind with a book “Paris from Caesar to Saint Louis” by Maurice Druon. “Publishing House Olga Morozova” prints impressive luxury editions of “Istanbul” by Pamuk and “London” by Akroyd. The trend is clear. Going on a trip, people want other than a guide with dry facts about the country, take along a book that could plunge them into the local atmosphere, describe the mentality, to disclose the country from a new, unknown side or simply harmoniously complement to the impression of the visit. Of course, the choice of such «atmospheric» books is subjective, so you can feel free to disagree. You also do not necessarily have to go to the countries mentioned in this article. You can simply choose a book about the country you are most curious about, and go on a tour, settled on the couch.
Sweden
Maria Ernest “Cocktail of Death”
Tourists usually go to Sweden for a calm vacation on the nature, cost effective shopping and socialist comfort. But this cold northern country has another face, which will open to you in the novel of Maria Ernestam “Cocktail of death”. There on the narrow streets of Old Town higher powers are on the loose, choosing for an unknown reason to intervene in the life of the ordinary Swedish girl Erica. With her eyes you will see the Stockholm, which is never seen, Stockholm, in which you can see the devil in the Historical Museum, and to drink black coffee in a cafe with the Death. Maria Ernest skilfully describes the city, and each part of it, including the most distant suburbs, scenes where one or another episode of this exciting novel is played out.
Selma Lagerlof “The Journey of Nils with Wild Geese”
Everyone has read in childhood the book of Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlof about the boy Nils, who travelled with the wild geese, or has at least watched the cartoon. But a few know that this book was written as a kind of textbook on geography: you see Nils with the geese actually flies over all Sweden- from its most southern point to the north, thus introducing children to their native country.
Finland
Erlend Lu «The best country of the world»
Many will be surprised to learn that «the best country in the world» for the Norwegian Erlend Lou is Finland, but wait to argue. All the salt of the book is that the hero, have never been in Finland, and is assigned to write a guide on it. And he enthusiastically agrees to do the work.
Norway
Erlend Lu “Naive. Super »
The most cult writer in Norway is Erlend Lu. In his novel «Naive. Super», he was able to convey the voice of the younger generation of Norwegians – a small nation (only some 4 million inhabitants!), but with a clear sense of national identity. Remember only the recent triumph at Fisherman’s victory in Eurovision. Erlend Lou’s funny and naive book is about a young man who throws his studies and works and begins to search for the meaning of life by playing ball in his backyard will help to understand this harsh and terse people whose ancestors were Vikings.
Karin Fossum “Do not look back»
Once it was said that in the books of one the most famous writers of Norway Knut Hamsun, in a small fishing village unfold passions stronger than in the ancient tragedies. Today, the role of Demiurge is assumed by Norwegian detective writers and the most popular of them – Karin Fossum. The plot of her novels «Don’t look back», «Eve’s eye» and the others always unravels in a small village where everybody knows each other and nobody says anything bad about the other. But the villagers only appear to be harmless; in fact, each of them – from a schoolgirl to a toothless old man – hides terrible secrets. For Karin Fossum, it is not important who kills, but the fact that anyone is able to do so. The exciting detective novels of Fossum are the best way to tickle one’s nerves while going to fishing in the calm Norway.
P.S. We suggest to use Readers Digest for your trip planning
