Novel Destinations

July 15, 2008
This guidebook by two contributors to "National Geographic Traveller" is for the serious bookworm, covering U.S. and European literary locations and events. It's divided into two sections; first is "Travel by the Book," listing houses, museums, hotels, restaurants, and cafés that have either hosted literary lions or inspired them. This section also includes literary festivals, walking and other tours, and even a list of writer's gravesites. The arrangement can be a bit confusing, since some entries focus on a particular author, such as "Twain Slept Here (And You Can Too!)," while others are geographically themed, e.g., "Literary Houses on the Prairie." The second section, "Journeys Between the Pages," is more focused. Ten cities inextricably connected to ten writers, e.g., Kafka's Prague, Joyce's Dublin, and of course those in the subtitle, are covered in detail. One shortcoming of this guide is that the same famous authors appear frequently throughout the entire book, popping up in almost every chapter of the first section and in sidebars and references. An author index (not seen) should help readers find the sections with references to their favorites, assuming their favorites are Austen, Hemingway, Shakespeare, or Joyce, but fans of Willa Cather, John Milton, or Tennessee Williams, let alone many other notable writers, will find less here to pique their interest. Much of this information is available from other sources; having it gathered in one book will please devoted readers, whether travelers or not. Recommended for public libraries.Rita Simmons, Sterling Heights P.L., MI

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