Travelogue

Writing a travelogue

While there are no set rules for writing a travelogue, there are certain characteristics that are frequently seen in this genre.

Fig. 1 - Travelogues and travel writing have been around since the 1300s.

First-person narrative

As many travelogues detail the first-hand experience of a traveller, they are written in a first-person narrative. A first-person narrative can be told from the perspective of the protagonist, or of someone retelling another person's story. A key way to spot first-person narratives is to look for words such as 'I' or 'me' when describing the narrator's thoughts.

First-person narratives are especially effective in travelogues as they relay the narrator's emotions and thoughts while travelling. This form of storytelling can be seen in travelogues such as Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods (1998). In the extract below, a first-person narrative is used by Bryson to convey his conflicting thoughts about hiking the Appalachian Trail in America.

Structure

There is no fixed structure for a travelogue, however many follow the same core pattern in their stories. Most modern travelogues begin with the traveller explaining the events leading up to their trip, as well as their reasons for travelling. The novel will then move on to detail what happened to the narrator on their trip. This section of the novel will be the longest as it will detail the people, food, landscape and cultures that the traveller experienced. Throughout this portion, the traveller will give their opinions and thoughts on what they have seen.

These thoughts may be exaggerated and humourous, or heartfelt and sincere. Finally, the novel will end with the traveller reaching their destination, either home or somewhere new. Upon reaching their destination, the traveller may reflect on their journey and the impact it has had on their life.

An example of this is seen in Elizabeth Gilbert's novel, Eat, Pray, Love (2006). The novel follows Gilbert, who decides to embark on a year-long trip around Italy, India and Indonesia. Gilbert decides to travel following a mid-life crisis at 30 years old, the novel concludes with Gilbert finding love and peace and year on, due in part to her journey. The extract below, taken from the end of the novel, shows Gilbert reflecting on how her mindset has changed during her journey.

Descriptive language

As travelogues centre around the experiences of a traveller, lots of descriptive language will be used to bring these scenes to life. Much of a travelogue will focus on the narrator describing the people, culture, food and landscapes that they encountered. Therefore, they will use descriptive language such as adjectives, metaphors, similes or personification.

These literary devices are especially effective in travelogues, as they can make the setting and experiences of the narrator more vivid in the reader's mind. An example of this can be found in the novel, Dark Star Safari (2002) by Paul Theroux. In this portion of the novel, Theroux uses descriptive language to describe a road he drove during his travels from Cairo to Cape Town.

List of popular travelogues

Below is a list of three popular travelogues that have been written during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Innocents Abroad (1869) by Mark Twain

Mark Twain's 1869 novel is an autobiographical account of his travels around Europe and The Holy Land. Twain is joined on this excursion by other American travellers. The novel was extremely popular and was one of Twain's best selling novels during his lifetime. In part, this is due to how Twain satirised the xenophobia that was often found in the travelogues written by his contemporaries. The Innocents Abroad (1869) focuses on themes of culture and history and looks at how travel can affect your view of both.

Into the Wild (1996) by John Krakauer

Into the Wild (1996) differs from other travelogues, as the traveller the novel centres around is not the author himself. Instead, this novel follows Christopher McCandless as he hitch-hikes across North America. McCandless sold all his belongings and gave away his savings before embarking on this trip. He finished his journey in the wilderness of Alaska, where he sadly passed away from exposure and starvation. Into the Wild (1996) tracks McCandless' journey through North America, to Alaska. It explores themes of life, travel, and materialism.

Notes from a Small Island (1995) by Bill Bryson

Arguably one of the most popular and famous travelogue writers, Bill Bryson has written multiple books about his travels. One of particular note is Notes from a Small Island (1995). This novel follows Bryson as he attempts to travel around Great Britain using mostly public transport. Bryson uses humour to present his experiences as he compares America to Britain. The novel also uses flashbacks, as Bryson reminisces on his first years in Britain. The novel was met with widespread acclaim due to its presentation of Britain and British culture.

Importance of travelogues

So why are travelogues still popular after all these years? Travelogues are an easy way for readers to learn about a country or culture, without ever having to leave the comfort of their own home. Travelogues are important as they are an easily accessible way of learning about life and developing one's identity. This is principally due to the simple language and structure that is commonly found in travelogues. A first-person narrative means that the reader can easily place themselves in the traveller's shoes and understand their experiences. Travelogues are therefore still important due to their accessible nature.