15 books where travel is both literal and metaphorical
Travel has always been a powerful narrative tool. Whether it’s the physical journey to distant lands or the more profound expedition within the self, the act of moving from one place to another opens the door to limitless discovery. These 15 books take the concept of travel to new heights, blending literal adventures with the deep, often life-altering, internal quests of their characters. Prepare to embark on some of the most transformative journeys in literature, where the road traveled is as much within as it is through the world.
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A tale that has captivated readers worldwide, The Alchemist is the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who sets off to find treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. But his journey is about far more than gold—it’s a path of self-discovery, where the world around him whispers secrets about his personal legend. Through every encounter and every step, the road he travels leads him closer to the truth of who he truly is.
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
In the barren post-apocalyptic world of The Road, a father and son walk through a desolate landscape, their survival dependent on every moment of their journey. As the world crumbles around them, their travel through this ruined earth is as much a pilgrimage of love, hope, and despair as it is a fight to stay alive. The road is a haunting metaphor for life itself, where every step is a reminder of what remains and what is lost.
3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Sometimes, the journey isn’t just about crossing continents or galaxies—it’s about the absurdity of existence. Arthur Dent’s accidental journey through space begins when Earth is destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway. His travel across the cosmos is filled with bizarre adventures and hilarious encounters, all the while questioning the meaning of life, the universe, and everything in between.
4. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
A defining work of the Beat Generation, On the Road is an iconic portrayal of America’s restless spirit in the 1950s. Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty embark on a journey that crisscrosses the U.S., searching for freedom, meaning, and truth in a postwar world that feels stifling. The literal road they travel is a metaphor for their inner turmoil, each mile filled with revelations about who they are and what they seek.
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gatsby’s extravagant parties and opulent mansion are not merely symbols of wealth; they represent his relentless pursuit of an idealized version of love and success. The literal journey of Nick Carraway—through the lush estates of West Egg and the mysterious allure of Gatsby’s world—mirrors his growing understanding of the emptiness behind the glittering facade.
6. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s classic tale of expatriates traveling through Europe in the 1920s isn’t just about the literal journey across the continent. It’s about the metaphorical journey of disillusionment, as the lost generation grapples with the aftermath of World War I. The landscapes they traverse—the bullfighting rings of Spain, the cafes of Paris—become settings for internal struggles with identity, love, and purpose.
7. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
In this memoir, Cheryl Strayed sets out on the Pacific Crest Trail to heal from the wreckage of her personal life. The physicality of the trail, with its grueling climbs and rugged terrain, becomes a vessel for her emotional and spiritual journey. Each step taken on the earth is also a step toward finding herself again, and the wilderness serves as both a literal challenge and a metaphor for the deep pain she must face and overcome.
8. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Told in a nonlinear narrative, Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives and dies again and again through the tumultuous events of the 20th century. Her travels through different versions of her life—shaped by the choices she makes or fails to make—form the heart of the novel. The literal travel of time and fate intertwines with the metaphorical journey of personal growth and the exploration of destiny.
9. The Odyssey by Homer
No list about travel would be complete without The Odyssey, the quintessential journey of both body and soul. Odysseus’s return to Ithaca is fraught with dangers and adventures, from the Cyclops to the Sirens, but it is also a journey into understanding the nature of heroism, homecoming, and the human condition. Every island he visits is a lesson in survival and a test of his character.
10. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
After a devastating divorce, Elizabeth Gilbert sets off on a year-long journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia, seeking healing and self-discovery. The literal exploration of these diverse cultures becomes the backdrop for a deeper spiritual and emotional transformation. From food to prayer to love, each stage of her journey uncovers new layers of her identity, leading her back to herself.
11. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Set in the underworld of Bombay, Shantaram takes the reader on a literal journey through India’s chaotic streets and shadowy corners. But beyond the physical setting, this sprawling tale is about a man’s journey toward redemption, grappling with the choices he’s made, and the search for meaning in a life that seems to be spiraling out of control. Each step through the vibrant cityscape is a move closer to understanding who he truly is.
12. The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
Charles Arrowby, a playwright who retreats to a coastal house in isolation, embarks on a journey of reflection and self-deception. The literal travel to the sea serves as a metaphor for his deep internal struggle—his attempts to relive the past and reshape his relationships are fraught with confusion, longing, and disillusionment. The ebbing tides of the ocean mirror the emotional currents within him.
13. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
In The Night Circus, the magical, elusive circus is a destination for dreamers and adventurers. As the story unfolds, the literal journey of the circus’s visitors becomes intertwined with the characters’ internal quests. The journey through the tents, the illusions, and the wonders of the circus mirrors the struggle between destiny and choice, love and sacrifice, and the thin boundary between magic and reality.
14. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
A group of intellectuals in a small New England college embark on a journey of moral decay and existential crises. The literal travel between the campus and the wilds of Greece becomes the backdrop for their dangerous exploration of beauty, art, and depravity. The true journey, however, lies within their minds as they spiral into a labyrinth of guilt, obsession, and deadly ambition.
15. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Through the lens of Avalon’s mysticism, the Arthurian legend is transformed into a deep, spiritual journey for Morgaine (known as Morgan le Fay), where the boundaries of the physical world blur with the metaphysical. As she travels between the realms of men and gods, the quest for power, identity, and fate becomes entwined with the journey of the soul, where every choice carries cosmic consequences.
Each of these books invites you to travel not just across physical landscapes but into the inner workings of the heart and mind. The journey may be external, but the lessons are deeply personal. In the end, we travel not only to discover new places, but to uncover the farthest reaches of who we are. Where will your next journey take you?
