Literary Journeys Across Europe

Wandering the streets of great European cities one row of typeset print at a time is a centuries-old tradition—one that still allows readers to travel not only through countries and across continents but in and out of time as well.

There’s never been a better time to tuck into literary visions of storied streets, from Vienna to Višegrad, Seville to Oslo, London to Istanbul.

These novels (and the occasional work of nonfiction) will carry you to the diverse suburbs of post-colonial Britain, back to the heady days of the Prague Spring in the 1960s Czechoslovakia, across Icelandic lava fields, high into the Alps, and through the plazas of Paris—with plenty of insight into the human condition to consider along the way. You won’t need your passport, but you may need a bookmark or two.

Explore Europe Through the Written Word

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

Polish author Olga Tokarczuk won both the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Man Booker International, but don’t expect a straightforward novel when you delve into Flights. Instead, you’ll find a work that is impressionist and postmodern, structured as interwoven vignettes that culminate in a larger meditation on the nature of travel and life experiences in airports and hotel lobbies. The narrative zings from museums to cruise ships, from Prague to Vienna to Warsaw, while darting through the contributions of great European writers and artists throughout history, especially Chopin. By the end, you’ll feel as if you’ve embarked on a truly epic journey through Europe.

Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland by Sarah Moss

It’s common to fantasize about living in another country, yet not everyone takes the plunge. Sarah Moss falls into the latter group, relocating her small family from Kent in the UK to Reykjavík. She immerses herself not only in a completely different language and landscape but also grapples with a disorienting blend of stark reality and folkloric fantasy, experiencing Iceland’s economic downturn and the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in a land that still believes in elves.

The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić

Using the titular 300-year-old bridge as an anchor, Andrić explores the history of what is now Bosnia & Hercegovina, spanning from the 16th century up to World War I. He chronicles the lives of ordinary people over three centuries as they traverse the Drina River, melding fact with fiction in compelling ways. After reading, the bridge (now a UNESCO World Heritage site) will surely land on your travel bucket list.

City of the Mind by Penelope Lively

Set in London, this novel follows an architect as he reflects on the city’s past and present, moving from contemporary projects in the Docklands to remnants of the Blitz scattered throughout the city. The intricate detail brings to life both the city and its history, showcasing how it influences the protagonist’s journey.

The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis by José Saramago

Set against the backdrop of rising fascism in 1930s Portugal, Doctor Reis returns from Brazil, immersed in existential aimlessness. He wanders from ship to tram to city, contemplating poetry while soaking in the sights and sounds of Lisbon.

The Museum of Abandoned Secrets by Oksana Zabuzhko

Protagonist Daryna Goschynka, a television journalist, unearths historical and contemporary secrets while researching a Soviet-era woman named Olena Dovganina. The plot twists reminiscent of great Russian novelists encapsulate Ukrainian history from World War II to the Orange Revolution while providing a vivid tour of Kyiv and Lviv.

The Black Book by Orhan Pamuk

Loyal lawyer Galip becomes obsessed with his wife’s disappearance and scours Istanbul for clues, weaving through vibrant locales like Aladdin’s shop and the Palace Theater. Pamuk’s lavish descriptions evoke the city’s layered history, creating an immersive experience akin to wandering through its streets.

The South by Colm Tóibín

This narrative of Irish émigrés unfolds in Barcelona, a decade after the Spanish Civil War. Tóibín’s novel immerses readers in Spain’s ambience through exquisite descriptions, capturing the light, plazas, and relationships that reveal the evolution of place and people.

Petersburg by Andrei Bely

Bely’s novel offers a political thriller set against the backdrop of revolution, placing readers right in St. Petersburg during its most tumultuous period. With energetic descriptions of the city and characters, this work stands out as a significant piece of literature.

Time’s Magpie: A Walk in Prague by Myla Goldberg

As eclectic as Prague itself, Time’s Magpie examines the city through its historical evolution, intertwining pivotal moments that have shaped its landscape. Goldberg invites readers to explore the contours and hidden corners of this enchanting city.

Midsummer Night by Uwe Timm

In this mad-cap tragicomedy, a writer navigates from Milan to Berlin while unraveling his own narrative. The portrayal of the city’s evolution reflects on identity shifts in a rapidly changing world.

A Separation by Katie Kitamura

After her ex-husband vanishes in southern Greece, a woman retreats to a luxurious rural hotel, leading her into the lives of local residents and prompting reflections about her relationships and identity.

Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd

Inspired by a visit to the Freud Museum, Boyd’s narrative traverses Vienna just prior to World War I. The story of an English actor embroiled in espionage offers a rich portrayal of Vienna’s social dynamics.

Eggshells by Caitriona Lally

Drawing parallels to Joyce’s Ulysses, Lally’s protagonist roams Dublin’s neighborhoods, where the city becomes a companion in her exploration of loneliness and belonging.

The Ice Palace by Terjei Vesaas

Vesaas’s lyrical novel depicts a tranquil Norwegian landscape where two young friends experience the complexities of growing up, making it a cherished classic.

We’re Flying by Peter Stamm

This collection of narratives explores the Swiss landscape, depicting the lives of ordinary people as they navigate love and daily experiences throughout picturesque settings.

Prague by Arthur Phillips

Set in Budapest, this novel contrasts its title as five American expats navigate nightlife and culture, uncovering the vibrant essence of Hungary’s capital in the early 1990s.

Valley at the Centre of the World by Malachy Tallack

Exploring the rural Shetland Islands, Tallack’s evocative narrative portrays the lives of crofters, illuminated through careful dialect and authentic characters.

The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

Ferrante’s captivating narrative immerses readers in Naples, examining class and privilege through a young girl’s journey into adulthood, marked by careful observations of life’s nuances.

Life Begins on Friday by Ioana Parvulescu

This well-researched novel transports readers to Belle Époque Bucharest as a time-traveling journalist shakes up the daily lives of the characters in a vibrant setting.

Last Call by Harry Mulisch

Mulisch’s narrative resurrects 1970s and ’80s Amsterdam through the eyes of an aging actor, blending historical layers with an examination of the vibrant theater scene.

Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik

In this memoir, Gopnik shares his experiences of moving to Paris, highlighting various cultural landmarks while exploring the intricacies of expat life in the French capital.

Bruges-La-Morte by Georges Rodenbac

This moody novel captures late-19th-century Bruges, reflecting on the city’s past and the sense of loss that permeates through its fading glory, portrayed through a melancholic protagonist.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

In a narrative that spans centuries, Brooks tracks the journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah, revealing Europe’s complex history through its movements and the characters intertwined with it.