The Raven Brothers' Travel Books: A Literary Voyage Through the World's Wonders
by Emily 500cc, content writer.
The Raven Brothers have made a name for themselves as skilled storytellers, drawing readers in with their detailed stories and evocative descriptions. Their travel books are a remarkable example of their ability to blend reflection and adventure into the fabric of real-world travel. These works explore the transforming effect of travel while delving deeply into the human experience and guiding readers through intriguing locations.
The Raven Brothers are able to combine the sobering realities of real travel with humour and at the same time create a fascinating image of the people and history, which is one of their travel books' most distinctive traits. This method not only makes the locations come to life, but it also gives the stories a deeper, more enigmatic quality. Their travel books discuss not only the actual journey, but also the myths, stories, and traditions that give each destination its own distinct personality. The brothers delve deeply into the customs, history, and daily lives of the people they meet, going beyond simple site descriptions. Their publications are full of personal narratives, interesting encounters, and tales that offer a complex and close-up perspective of the places they explore. Every book has the theme of personal transformation at its core, and they frequently examine more general topics of identity, belonging, and self-discovery via the prism of their travels. Their journeys are portrayed as meaningful and contemplative that have a lasting effect on their lives, in addition to being physical expeditions.
Have you ever wanted to get into your car and drive away, and keep driving? That's exactly what The Raven Brothers decided to do whilst stacking frozen oven chips in a -30 degrees freezer. Equipped with an SAS survival guide and a squeaky foot pump, the travel writers revved up their $500 Ford Sierra and drove east in the direction of Russia. In the dilapidated saloon car they drove to work, the brothers drive across ten time zones with almost little knowledge of the internal combustion engine. As they attempt to cross the infamous Zilov Gap in the depths of Siberia - driving through unending rivers and gorges - the dependable pair captures the essence of overland travel on an adventure to Vladivostok that will change their lives.
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The Raven Brothers, fed up with city life, decide to take a road journey across backcountry USA from Seattle to Los Angeles. Simon Raven, the former amateur rock star and now bored web producer, is on a Boeing headed for Seattle after his abrupt breakup with girlfriend Emily Willow. Leading the way is his twin brother, who is more than willing to give up a job in fashion photography for the freedom of the open road. Full of self-doubt, they set off on an excruciating and witty journey on Interstate 15 to California.
The Raven Brothers put their dream plans into action and traverse the Trans-oceanic highway from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast of South America.
Pioneering a new frontier over the Andes and through the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, the bizarre and the beautiful cross their dusty path as they seek inspiration for a new book and go in search of the ultimate carnival. Not always getting it right, the brothers lose themselves in the mysterious world of the Inca Empire, swim with caiman in the Madre de Dios, experience panic in the Pantanal, The Rolling Stones in Rio and conclude their journey in Olinda at the carnival of the soul.
The legends of Jason and the Argonauts, Noah’s Ark and a tribe of fierce female warriors known as the Amazons all originate from the Black Sea. Gripped by curiosity, The Raven Brothers fire up their twenty year old Volvo and embark on a quest to drive full circle around this ancient body of water at the birthplace of civilization.
In the shadow of rising tension in Ukraine, the brothers get up close and personal with the fascinating people who inhabit the six nations that surround these colourful shores. Living on the road like the nomadic horse bowmen who once ruled the steppe grasslands, they explore Crimea, the Caucasus region of southern Russia’s “Wild West”, the Georgian kingdom of Colchis, Turkey’s Pontic coast, the megacity of Istanbul and complete their journey in Romania at the outfall of the mighty River Danube.
Hike, Drive, Stayin' Alive!
After two decades pioneering new routes across the globe, you would expect the authors of Driving the Trans-Siberian to be hotshot explorers, with a sixth sense and an ability to survive in almost any situation. Think again! With virtually zero knowledge of the workings of the internal combustion engine and very limited skills of wilderness survival, Simon and Chris struggle into their hiking boots and power across three continents by river, tarmac and trail.
Venture to the top of Norway, cruise the road to Damascus, hike the Camino trail into Spain’s Wild West, row the Ganges, explore Frida Kahlo’s world in Mexico City, hangout with the dead in Sicily’s eerie catacombs, crawl deep inside Bolivia’s notorious silver mine, seek lions in Gujarat, wellness in Berlin and journey into the Naga Hills where tribal kings still rule.
Hike, Drive, Stayin’ Alive! signals a return to the duo writing “buttock clenching” travel comedy with the first in a series of candid stories of adventure.
