If you haven’t experienced traveling to a certain place, the task of learning about the culture can be daunting. But, it doesn’t have to be. There are so many resources that will allow you to get a better understanding of new countries and their cultures. One of those ways is learning through reading. Not everything you read about a destination has to be real. Some of the best stories told have come from a realistic fictional literature that provides special nuances about your country of travel.
Here’s a list of books you can check out, before setting out on your Abbey Road Programs adventures:
Greece:
The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi
This is the first book of a series of crime books set in Greece and the Greek islands. The story takes place on the island of Thiminos, which is a fictional version of the actual island of Symi, where the author lived various years of her life. As the body of a woman is discovered, while the local police dismiss it as an accident, the reader is introduced to a stranger from Athens. The stranger sets his intentions on investigating the death, but no one knows who he is or who sent him. Anne Zouroudi does a remarkable job of giving the reader a vivid picture of Greece and its surrounding islands.
Spain:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a fictional book about a boy from Andalucia, Spain, named Santiago. Santiago is a shepherd with bright ambitions of finding treasure at the pyramids of Egypt. Although the story is fiction, Paulo Coelho paints a very dreamy picture of Spain, its landscaping, and culture. This book is a fantastic guide for anyone looking to accomplish their life goals and has a robust imagination. The Alchemist has been translated into over 70 languages and is an international bestseller.
Germany:
Tschick (Why We Took the Car) by Wolfgang Herrndorf
Tschick is about two teenage “outcasts”. Maik, one of the protagonist, comes from an affluent home that is seemingly dysfunctional. His counterpart, Tschick, is a repatriate from Russia and shows up with a stolen car that takes them into some unusual adventures. This story is representative of anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t accepted and shows that no matter where you’re from, you can share commonalities with someone you’ve never met. Tschick has sold over 2 million copies, in Germany alone, and has also been published worldwide.
United Kingdom:
Atonement by: Ian McEwan
This book takes place during three, different, time periods. The book takes us into England in 1935, England during the Second World War and modern-day England. The story depicts a girl named Briony, who comes from an upper-class family and makes a conscious decision that gravely impacts a lot of people. McEwan journey’s what it means to have personal atonement and the process of righting your wrongdoings. This book has received critical acclaim and was also been adapted into a movie in 2007, starring Keira Knightley.
Italy:
Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
Here’s another book representative of crime and mystery. This book comes as a series and is the introduction into the Commissario Brunetti mysteries. The story takes place in the world-famous Teatro La Fenice (The Phoenix), an opera house in Venice, Italy. The main character, Commissario (Detective) Guido Brunetti, is investigating the death of a famous opera conductor which begins to appear like a murder. The story provides great depth into Italy, the culture and the fantastic city of Venice.
These books are just a morsel of the various pieces of literature that open your mind to traveling to Abbey Road Programs destinations. Feel free to check them out and begin your journey in creating your own story!