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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Take a trip with Sarah Baxter through some of the most famous novels and explore the locations they are set in.
From the classics like "Les Miserables" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" to modern classics like "My Brilliant Friend", you're sure to recognise some of your most loved scenes in literary history.
Although I personally have not read many of these books, I found the level of research that went into each book's location very thorough.
I liked the fact that she chose a wide spectrum of books dating from the 1800's to the present time.
She describes what the places look like at the time the novel was written, what the socio-economic and political conditions were like. She shows how the location influences the lead character and becomes a central character to the story.
She also shares background information on the author that influences at times their writing and choice of location and story development.
I loved the illustrations - nice and bright and cheerful. And they manage to convey something of the book's location. The maps were also a quaint addition - although not "accurate" in the sense of conventional maps, they gave extra character.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.
From the classics like "Les Miserables" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" to modern classics like "My Brilliant Friend", you're sure to recognise some of your most loved scenes in literary history.
Although I personally have not read many of these books, I found the level of research that went into each book's location very thorough.
I liked the fact that she chose a wide spectrum of books dating from the 1800's to the present time.
She describes what the places look like at the time the novel was written, what the socio-economic and political conditions were like. She shows how the location influences the lead character and becomes a central character to the story.
She also shares background information on the author that influences at times their writing and choice of location and story development.
I loved the illustrations - nice and bright and cheerful. And they manage to convey something of the book's location. The maps were also a quaint addition - although not "accurate" in the sense of conventional maps, they gave extra character.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.
A very interesting and evocative travel writing book, covering twenty-five literary travel destinations around the world. Each travel spot gives a look at the area at the time the corresponding book took place, and compares it to the modern location- what's changed, what remains the same. A look at events and culture of the times help complete the picture. Rather than photographs, the book is filled with lovely, vibrant illustrations by Amy Grimes. Each location takes on a life of its own, like a character from the book it comes from. A very informative read for any bibliophile!
The premise of the book really attracted me, but I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed by it. Now, it was an enjoyable read, don't get me wrong, but I think I had higher expectations. "Literary Places" is what I would call a coffee table book - you can pick it up, enjoy reading a couple of pages, and put it down again.
I thought it would be bigger. Each chapter focuses on a well-known novel and its location(s), and gives you a general run down of how the novel relates to its settings. It doesn't go into too much detail but can be a bit spoilery at times, so beware if you don't like spoilers. Although I would have liked to see photographs and maps, the illustrations are gorgeous and very unique in style.
For a lover of literature who wants a short, interesting book, you'll probably like it, but don't expect too much.
Disclaimer - I received a free digital copy courtesy of Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought it would be bigger. Each chapter focuses on a well-known novel and its location(s), and gives you a general run down of how the novel relates to its settings. It doesn't go into too much detail but can be a bit spoilery at times, so beware if you don't like spoilers. Although I would have liked to see photographs and maps, the illustrations are gorgeous and very unique in style.
For a lover of literature who wants a short, interesting book, you'll probably like it, but don't expect too much.
Disclaimer - I received a free digital copy courtesy of Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
informative
slow-paced
Images and designs are lovely but I think this is a book you would enjoy more if you’d travelled to the places mentioned. We see them through lense of a book plot and (whilst beautiful) illustrations; I never felt i got a real grip of any of the places mentioned. I’d also like to have known a bit more from the author as to why they chose these specific places. Sadly not quite a winner for me.
Well-researched ~ Alluring ~ Intriguing
tl;dr: Pictures of the places you loved from books.
I had no idea that I needed this book in my life. The author has short text discussing places and one iconic book in that location, like Cannery Row and Monterey. Baxter pairs these with richly colored illustrations of these places. Monterey, for example, is chocked full of commercialism these days, with Steinbeck's California long gone. I had no idea how much I wanted to see his Moneterey. Looking at the images is like being transported to the places the books had formed in your mind. Lovely, lovely book. Great read/ experience for voracious readers.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl;dr: Pictures of the places you loved from books.
I had no idea that I needed this book in my life. The author has short text discussing places and one iconic book in that location, like Cannery Row and Monterey. Baxter pairs these with richly colored illustrations of these places. Monterey, for example, is chocked full of commercialism these days, with Steinbeck's California long gone. I had no idea how much I wanted to see his Moneterey. Looking at the images is like being transported to the places the books had formed in your mind. Lovely, lovely book. Great read/ experience for voracious readers.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
A lovely book that can be read as a travel guide to literary place as well as the description of places where some of the most well known literary works are set.
I loved the style of writing and the lovely illustrations.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
I loved the style of writing and the lovely illustrations.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
Why do you read book? To enjoy yourself, be entertained by a good story and – at least for me – to travel via the novel to another place and learn something about culture, habits and life in general there. Due to lack of time and money, I cannot visit all the places I would like to see with my own eyes, thus, the fictional world set in real places is often the only alternative available. Especially when it comes to time travel which, of course, will just remain a dream.
Sarah Baxter’s traveller’s guide leads you to 25 famous places of novels, among them Paris, London, St Petersburg, New York and Berlin. She briefly describes the setting of the novel and then compares the presentation as we get it in the book with what to find there today. Some places are almost identical and what you see through the eyes of the protagonist is what you can see yourself when travelling there. Others have changed a lot and the place now only exists between the covers of the book.
The text is accompanied by illustrations by Amy Grimes and even though they are mostly abstract, they wonderfully transport the atmosphere evoked in the novels. When reading make sure you either got a hard copy of the book or an electronic version in colour. I’d be a pity to have them just in black and white.
A beautiful collection which reminded me of novels I read a long time ago and which I definitely want to look at again now.
Sarah Baxter’s traveller’s guide leads you to 25 famous places of novels, among them Paris, London, St Petersburg, New York and Berlin. She briefly describes the setting of the novel and then compares the presentation as we get it in the book with what to find there today. Some places are almost identical and what you see through the eyes of the protagonist is what you can see yourself when travelling there. Others have changed a lot and the place now only exists between the covers of the book.
The text is accompanied by illustrations by Amy Grimes and even though they are mostly abstract, they wonderfully transport the atmosphere evoked in the novels. When reading make sure you either got a hard copy of the book or an electronic version in colour. I’d be a pity to have them just in black and white.
A beautiful collection which reminded me of novels I read a long time ago and which I definitely want to look at again now.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced