Literary Destinations I’d Love to Explore
June 3, 2022 | Dara Marie | @thornfield_lanePeople read for many reasons, not the least of which is escapism. Focusing on someone else’s struggles and adventures is therapeutic when real life gets overwhelming. It lets you travel to worlds never before walked by human feet as well as those just across the country. Certain places have piqued my interest through all the books I’ve read, and I’ll admit to daydreaming about them. Here’s a look at a few literary destinations I’d love to explore:
Thornfield Hall from Jane Eyre
Considering my blog’s name comes from this classic estate, it’s only fitting it be the first one.
Thornfield Hall belongs to Mr. Edward Rochester and is where most of the novel occurs. As with any classical estate, it has a library, sitting room, garden, and its share of ghosts. I was visiting the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina when I started reading Jane Eyre for the first time and have since correlated it with Thornfield. I’m sure Bronte’s estate is not nearly as glamorous, but I would still love to wander those lonely halls to see where one of my favorite novels and love stories unfolded. Wouldn’t mind spending the night either; don’t worry, I’d bring a fire extinguisher.
Rohan from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Rohan: the kingdom of horse breeders. This landscape is simply stunning. I bet there are some amazing hikes in those mountains I would love to get lost in. Every time I watch The Two Towers, I wish I was riding across those fields with Gandalf and the hunters. Naturally, I would have to be blasting the epic violin theme in the background.
Parts of Utah remind me of this terrain and honestly, that’s just a bonus of living in the rocky mountain range.
The Shire from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Whether I’m reading or watching The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I can’t help but feel warm inside during scenes in the shire. It’s such a wholesome place with lush green vegetation and food-loving people. I just want to go rolling down those slopping hills because I can only imagine how soft that grass is. No wonder hobbits don’t wear shoes.
The Secret Garden from The Secret Garden
I loved this classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel from the first chapter. It’s since become sentimental because my mother read it right after me and we were able to share in our adoration for the book.
Mary’s wandering, curious nature reminds me of my younger (and present) self. I would love to join her in that garden, watching the flowers grow and finding games to pass the days on the English Moors.
Manderley from Rebecca
I am a sucker for estates; it’s one of the things I regret about living in Utah (which doesn’t have any because it was founded by poor pioneers) and miss about living in Virginia (which has many due to early American history). This estate is described as having libraries, large halls, grand staircases, gardens, and–best of all–the ocean in the backyard. Manderly has a private cove where you can dock ships and go for a swim. That sounds absolutely perfect, honestly. Would book the next flight there if I could.
High Place from Mexican Gothic
If you’ve read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s gothic novel, you’re probably wondering why in my right mind I would ever want to go to that disturbing manor atop a secluded mountain peak in the Mexican country. Honestly, there’s a part of my mind asking the same question. But when I read this unforgettable story, the house was so vivid in my mind. I felt like I was walking those halls and I want to see it in real life. I want to ascend the grand staircase, observe the snake crest on the windows, watch the wallpaper ripple with unsettled spirits, and wander the graveyard where Franic picks mushrooms. Of course, I wouldn’t want it to be a long or solo visit. And no way in the world am I spending the night.
The North from the Northern Lights/The Golden Compass
For the last half of this trilogy’s first book, the characters are in the wintery north with the aurora, bright and beautiful, above them. I know people will argue I could just travel north in our world to see the aurora, but no: I want talking polar bears and witches as well as the aurora. It’s not the same thing. I wouldn't want to visit the Magestrium’s facility in Bolvanger, but I would love to climb some snowy mountains, ride a Panserbjorn, and witness the city in the sky.
Saint-Malo from All the Light We Cannot See
I saved this one for last because it is a real place. A fair amount of this Pulitzer prize-winning novel occurs in Saint-Malo, a port city in Northwest France that was originally built in the first century, developed into a seaport in the sixteenth century, and bombed during WWII. Every picture I’ve seen of it is stunning, surrounded on all sides by clear, blue water. One day, when I get to Paris, I plan on taking a train down to Saint-Malo and roaming the streets imagining Marie and Verner doing likewise back in the 40s.
What literary destinations would you explore if you could? I'd love to hear from you! You can connect with me through thornfield.lane@gmail.com or on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter: @thornfield_lane.
