Settings inspire and inform readers no less than novelists. Historical sites are thus an ideal venue for connecting books to readers. On the one hand, many readers will consciously seek out the venue of a favorite book. On the other hand, many travelers look for books about the places they are seeing. That's the idea behind "The Historic Traveler." The founder, Jackie Lapin, explains in a short interview.
Jackie, how do you see the relationship between settings and historical fiction? Are the settings of books important to you?
Certainly, the settings are vital to the historical context of a place. Reading a novel that is place-based not only brings the novel to life but creates a yearning to see the real thing. I find that historic fiction not only whets my appetite to see a location, but also provides the context for what I am seeing when I get there. I understand what has transpired here, if, of course, it is rooted in some historic truth. I’m excited to see Marie-Antoinette’s bedroom or the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles because I try to imagine what it would have been like to have been here at that time. The novel has given me some taste of what whispered conversations might have happened here. I recently paid a visit to The Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley, having read several novels and history books on Catherine de Medici –I was fascinated at being in her bedroom in the chateau that she confiscated from her husbands’ mistress upon his death. Knowing the reality, reading the fiction, and seeing the actual room, I find thrilling.
Do you enjoy reading descriptions of places in books? Or do you prefer to discover settings yourself by traveling?
A little of both, I think. I do enjoy the descriptions, and it helps me know what I want to see should I visit a city, palace, church, fortress, ruins or other. But obviously, there are many places I discover in travel that I’ve not had a chance to read about prior to going. Now when I read about that site afterward, I can visualize it with clarity. It makes reading more enjoyable when I’ve seen the real thing!
Do you enjoy reading about exotic places -- or do you prefer reading about places you know?
I like to read and see exotic locations, but that for me is adding spice to a diet of wonderful experiences. It fills in the fringes of my knowledge about the world. I just bought a book based ancient Babylon and Assyria precisely because I don’t know much about that part of the ancient world and what remains historically. I’ll read novels about ancient China, Japan or other Asian localities. But the core of my interest is UK, Europe all the way East, around the Mediterranean and North America. I will throw in a good book from Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean or Polynesia as well. But I find it’s wonderfully fun to read a book set somewhere that I have been because it ignites the memory and meshes it with the imagination.
Do you find yourself visiting places because of a book -- or reading a book because you've visited a historical venue?
On some occasions, the former. Having been a fan of books on Mary Queen of Scots, Holyrood Palace was a must, and to stand in the very room where the great drama of the murder of her secretary occurred was memorable. But what is more likely is that I have scheduled a trip somewhere and then will start reading a steady diet of novels set in that locality. That gives me the history in a wholly digestible way. While I also love history books, it’s the novels that make history way more fun to read. By the time I hit the ground, it’s likely I’ve a pretty good idea of the people and the circumstances which defined this site, as so many novels are built around figures who actually lived—either as the protagonist or as an associated character. Even if the protagonist is fictional, should he or she be at the court of a King or Queen, the lead character will be impacted by the real historical events, and you can gain context.
Can you share one or more examples of places you've visited because of a novel you read?
Probably the one that is more directly related to booking a trip wasn’t an historical novel, but was rife with historical localities—and that was Dan Brown’s Inferno. Florence was always on my list, but after reading about the various landmarks, churches, palaces, museums, gardens, the Ponte Vecchio, the Vasari Corridor, etc, where the non-stop chase takes place, I was smitten. And before long, I was on my way to see it for myself!
I’ve read so many Henry VIII novels, a major goal was to see Hampton Court Palace, both Henry’s favorite and now mine! I love it for the history that transpired here, but also for its unique qualities—the first palace with an indoor tennis court, the first with brick chimneys—all differently designed. Having read so much on this period, it was a joy to actually walk its halls where Henry decided the fate of so many, including Cromwell (Hillary Mantel’s Wolf Hall)
I will say that many of James Michener’s novels helped inspire me to visit various localities such as Israel, Spain, Hawaii, Mexico and Colorado to absorb the history he depicted.
What about the reverse, can you name some books that you have read because of places you've visited?
Yes, actually! One of my favorites was a series I picked up in Australia called Kings in Grass Castles and Sons in the Saddle that brought to life the building of the great outback stations. Having been to the fascinating historic core of Rome, I’m a sucker for a good Roman series like Kate Quinn’s Empress of the Seven Hills. I’m drawn to books about amazing women in history and three come to mind—Personal Librarian about Belle da Costa Green, who was the acquisition specialist for the JP Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, The Engineer’s Wife (Emily Warren, wife of Wash Roebling, who took over from her husband as Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge) and The Cape Doctor (based on Cape Town's renowned Dr. James Barry, born in 1795 as Margaret Anne Bulkley, who lived life as a man so she could practice the medicine that was prohibited to women.) All of these I was especially drawn to because I had been to or seen all of these locations.
Tell us more about the "Historic Traveler" community?
The Historic Traveler is a unique blog for history lovers that combines stunning photos and lively descriptions of historic locations around the world, coupled with recommendations for historic novels, mysteries, histories and biographies that illuminate what it would have been like to live there. I created it out of my love for history, historic novels and the passion to share the photos from the more than 500 localities that I have visited and photographed.
I also created Historic Traveler International, the membership community that goes deeper! It gives access to the 80-page quarterly digital Historic Traveler Magazine (divided between destinations in front and media in the back—books, TV, movies); the world’s most comprehensive directory of historic novels, mysteries and history books by country or region; the world’s first comprehensive directory of historic hotels, inns and B&Bs; a directory of historic TV dramas on broadcast or streaming; exclusive travel discounts and travel booking agent; a book club dedicated to history buffs; a book swap; a monthly community meeting and chat room with other historic travel enthusiasts; a matching resource for people who are looking for traveling companions; interviews with leading experts and authors; specialty books of themed photo collections, and ongoing news about travel opportunities to historic places. You can go to to www.TheHistoricTraveler.com to explore or sign up for the historic location features, book recommendations and more.
What made you launch this project?
I am at a point in life where I wanted to do something that brought all of my passions together—my vast reading of historic novels, my knowledge of historic locales, my archive of 40,000 images, my love of storytelling (I’ve written professionally throughout my career) and my mission to serve and share. But I also like the idea of finding other history, historic novel and travel buffs, so I wasn’t operating in isolation. We all know today that people crave connection and community and I wanted to create something that delighted and fulfilled people by bringing them together in these shared passions!
8. Where and how can we take part?
Here’s a free gift for you and your readers, our eGuide 20 Great International Cities Where You Can Immerse Yourself in History …and the Books That Make You Feel as if You Lived It! You can get it at www.thehistorictraveler.com/guide
And then come on over to check out the blog, sign up for the updates, and join one of our general meetings or book club meetings to get acquainted. Feel free to reach out on social media—Facebook Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube or LinkedIn. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with folks over there!
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