I will be traveling to the south of England (Southampton) for a lengthy stay in about 6 months. I am looking for a book (or books)to keep my imagination busy until I actually make my voyage. I want one of those authors who can create a vision in your soul (without using the 23 line sentence to do so). Fiction is ok, but I would love an extreme well written (maybe even old) travel narrative. A strong heroine is always a plus. <BR>Thank you for your help.

Paul Theroux's Kingdom By the Sea is a good travel narrative about a solo journey the author took in Britain sticking strictly to the coastline. Can't say that this book is the type to create any soulful visions - he's a little dark and certainly not romantic - but I found a lot of his observations funny and true having once taken a long solo journey in Britain myself (many years ago). Besides the other responses you might get here I'd also do a search at your library and ask a reference librarian to help you.

These come to mind first of all: <BR> <BR>Jane Austen lived in Hampshire (Chawton and Winchester) so any of her books must qualify. Also Anthony Trollope's "The Warden" was set in St Cross Hospital, Winchester. Trollope went to Winchester College, so perhaps all his books. King Arthur's round table (supposedly) is in Winchester. Gilbert White wrote "The Natural History of Selborne". <BR> <BR>On a totally different track, you must read "Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson. <BR> <BR>I will have a think about more. <BR> <BR>

How about Mary Wollstonecrafts' travel book about Norway. Talk about your heroines! She was Mary Shelley's mother and a devoted feminist (I believe she lived during the late 1600's - considered one of the first real feminists). A very interesting travelogue, to be sure.

For modern fiction, try anything by Joanna Trollope- yes she is a relation-or Marika Cobbold. Both from the "Aga saga" genre- light,can be witty, very observant of a certain type of life