Ready to Travel?
It is always interesting and informative to read a book set in another country. I have come across several books lately set in distant lands, and I thought the following four might appeal to you. I haven’t read any of them, but I will try to give enough information on each so you can decide for yourself.
The Butterfly Thief by Walter Marsh is a true story. I must say that one has to be very interested in butterflies and/or insect collecting to appreciate the detailed rendention of one of the most daring museum robberies of the 20th century. We go to The National Museum of Victoria in Melbourne , Australia in the year 1947. Someone noticed, quite by accident, that a few priceless butterflies were missing from a drawer in the museum’s butterfly collection. Then, slowly and sadly, they discovered many many other speciams missing, not only from the Melbourne museum but from museums all over Australia. Far from a musty old story, The New York Times and The Guardian promise that the book has on an exciting tempo with more that a few surprises.
The Dream of Jacquar by Miguel Bonnefoy
Miguel Bonnefoy is Venezuelan, and he draws on his ancestors to create the characters in this enchanting book. The story begins when a beggar adopts a newborn baby he finds on the steps of a church in Maraciabo, Venezuela. This baby goes on to become a surgeon who marries and has his own child. And along with this family saga, the author also relates the story of Venezuela. With our South American neighbor being in the news so much these days, we may want to get to know the real people and the history behind them.
The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara is set in Tibet in the nineteenth century. I know very few people who have ever been to Tibet. Actually, I probably know only one person who has been to Tibet. Tibet has always been difficult to reach and even harder to understand. It is a mysterious place, and very much so for two Europeans who travel there in disguises, each on their own ‘secret’ mission. The book is noted by critics for its vivid descriptions and historical relevance.
When the Fireflies Dance by Aisha Hassan is based on a true story. We travel finally to Pakistan to meet a young man named Lalloo, whose family is enslaved in a brick factory until their debts can be paid. The plot is, of course, Lalloo’s efforts to buy his family’s freedom. Critics have compared this book to The Kiterunner and The Beekeeper of Aleppo. While it is very disheartening to read about the actual ongoing circumstances of many people in South Asia, the book offers hope embodied in Lalloo’s determination to rescue his family.