First published 2015
This anthology gathers thirty acclaimed fiction writers who step away from their novels to share real experiences from their travels. Dave Eggers, Jane Smiley, and Karen Joy Fowler lead a diverse group of storytellers who recount journeys across continents and cultures. Francine Prose wrestles with India's enigmas while DBC Pierre hunts for traces of Hemingway's inspiration in Italian landscapes. The writers explore how travel strips away familiar comforts and forces encounters with the unexpected. Their stories move between comedy and drama as they navigate foreign customs, language barriers, and moments of profound disorientation. Each tale captures how stepping into unfamiliar territory reveals hidden aspects of both the places visited and the travelers themselves. The collection demonstrates that real adventures often surpass anything imagination could create, offering readers both entertainment and insight into the transformative power of leaving home behind.
Genres: literary-fiction, anthologies, travel, contemporary, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: India, Italy
ebook · Lonely Planet