The Best Travel Books of the 1920s You Need to Read

Traveling is an enriching experience as it exposes us to new places, cultures, and people. The 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, were a time of social, cultural, and economic change. In the literary world, the decade was marked by the emergence of travel writing. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best travel books of the 1920s you need to read to transport yourself back to the exciting era.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

The Sun Also Rises is a novel that depicts the lives of the Lost Generation, a group of disillusioned expatriates living in Paris in the aftermath of World War I. The book follows the protagonist, Jake Barnes, as he travels with his friends to Pamplona, Spain, for the annual bullfighting festival. Hemingway’s descriptive writing style captures the excitement of the festival and the beautiful Spanish countryside.

Letters from a Lost Generation: First World War Letters of Vera Brittain and Four Friends

Vera Brittain was a British writer and pacifist who served as a nurse during World War I. Letters from a Lost Generation is a collection of her letters and those of four of her friends who served in the war. Through their letters, we get a glimpse into the lives of these young women and their experiences traveling to places such as Malta, Cairo, and Salonika. The book is a poignant reminder of the human toll of war.

Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway

Green Hills of Africa is another travel book by Hemingway that takes us to the continent of Africa. The book recounts his 1933 safari with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, in East Africa. Hemingway’s vivid descriptions of the African landscape and wildlife make the book an enthralling read for nature lovers.

As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee

As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning is a memoir by Laurie Lee about his journey across Spain in the 1930s. The book is not only a travelogue but also a coming-of-age story as Lee learns about himself and the world around him. His descriptions of the Spanish countryside and the people he meets along the way are both lyrical and engaging.

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

The Innocents Abroad is a travel book by Mark Twain that chronicles his journey to Europe and the Holy Land in 1867. Twain’s witty and satirical writing style is on full display in this book as he pokes fun at the cultural differences between the Americans and the Europeans. The book is a classic that offers a unique perspective on travel writing.

Conclusion

The 1920s was a decade that saw the emergence of travel writing as a genre. The books mentioned in this article offer a window into that exciting era and the lives of people who lived through it. Whether you’re interested in bullfighting, war, nature, coming-of-age stories, or satire, there’s a travel book from the 1920s that is bound to capture your imagination.