A monster, a criminal and a Greek hero step onto a boat…
Not the start of a bad joke, but the ultimate literary crew for your next yachting adventure. Whether you're in the mood for timeless Penguin Classics, gripping page-turners, or epic poems that span the seas, BOAT has curated a selection of destination-inspired reads for your next voyage. Pack your favourites, hoist the sails and let the pages turn as freely as the tides…
Naples – My Brilliant Friend
For a dive into friendship and rivalry in Italy
To best understand the two protagonists of My Brilliant Friend, Ferrante decides to take us back to where they both grew up: Naples, Italy. You don’t have to know Naples to become immersed, as Ferrante soon paints the city in unsparing detail. At the heart of the novel's quaint, 1950s Italian community are best friends (and occasional enemies) Elena and Lila. Their friendship is traced across the pages of the novel but comes under the constant threat of family rivalries, criminality and deceit. You have BOAT’s full permission to get lost in this read, which is best read while anchored off the glittering coastline of Capri. Let Ferrante’s portrayal of Naples transport you back in time, adding a touch of literary depth as you soak in the stunning views or sip un caffé on deck.
Antarctica – Frankenstein
For a journey through gothic landscapes
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a fixture in the literary canon, widely known as the first true science fiction novel. Its pages hold a complex and sympathetic antagonist in Adam – the creature who longs to be loved – and some of the greatest quotes in all of literature. But, when not describing a monster run amok, Shelley’s story is also peppered with poignant landscapes, one of which is the striking Arctic setting that features most prominently at the novel’s end. This desolate landscape becomes the backdrop for Victor Frankenstein’s pursuit of the monster he created in a dramatic journey across the ice. So, whether you’re planning your own Arctic adventure, or if the discovery of the Endurance shipwreck has sparked your interest, Shelley’s gothic classic takes you a step closer to the thrilling and tragic possibilities of the Arctic environment.
Positano – The Talented Mr. Ripley
For stylish thrills on the Italian Riviera
Mention books set in Italy and this classic is bound to come up. In the fictional town of Mongibello (inspired by Positano on the Amalfi Coast), Tom Ripley becomes enamoured with the carefree lifestyle of Dickie Greenleaf. For Ripley, the allure of his world is intoxicating, yet dark consequences lurk around the corner. It's no surprise Hollywood found it irresistible: both the 1999 film adaptation starring Jude Law and Matt Damon, and the 2024 Netflix series featuring Andrew Scott, have mesmerised audiences. With this classic in hand, you can savour the drama of Ripley’s world as you cruise along the same colourful commune and shimmering Mediterranean views that inspired it.
US – Where the Crawdads Sing
For a marshland mystery
Is it a piece of nature writing? Is it a love story? Or is it a murder mystery? Where the Crawdads Sing will have you asking these questions. Delia Owens swaps superyachts for beat-up motorboats in this novel, as she intricately describes rural North Carolina in the 1950s. At the heart of the story is Kya Clark – or "the Marsh Girl", as the townspeople call her. Abandoned by her family, Kya grows up in the wild and becomes the prime suspect following the death of her former boyfriend. If your yachting adventure takes you along the US coast, pack this book and let Owens’ vivid storytelling transport you to North Carolina’s untamed marshlands. Just remember to keep an eye on the horizon – and maybe avoid those reedy inlets.
Alaska – Into the Wild
For the call of nature
What would drive a man to head into the Alaskan wilderness alone and leave his entire life behind? Jon Krakauer explores this question in his reporting of Christopher McCandless’s journey into the Alaskan abyss. A best-selling book and a critically acclaimed movie, it stands as one of the finest works set in Alaska. But its resonance goes far beyond the state’s rugged beauty, taking a magnifying glass to a man’s quest for reinvention and redemption, ultimately lost to one of the wildest places in North America. As you sail past Alaska’s glacial fjords or anchor amid its isolated coves, let this gripping narrative remind you of the allure and unforgiving nature of true wilderness.
Greece – The Odyssey
For the ultimate sea-faring adventure
“Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices.” The second-oldest piece of literature in the Western world, The Odyssey is both mandatory reading for the literary enthusiast and adventurous yachtsperson. This epic poem follows the hero Odysseus as he faces sirens, a monstrous sea creature named Scylla and the god Poseidon in his arduous quest to return home and break free from Calypso’s hold. Over the centuries, The Odyssey has tried on a wardrobe of translations and adaptations, including its most-recent retelling by Stephen Fry. No maritime adventure discussion would be complete without this timeless epic. It is, after all, the birthplace of storytelling itself. For those cruising the Greek islands, there’s no better companion than Odysseus himself. Let this legendary tale enhance your own seafaring journey, bringing echoes of ancient myth to every wave you cross and every coastline you trace.
South America – The House of the Spirits
For a magical, multi-generational saga
The common belief is that getting things right the first time is rare. But not for Isabel Allende – and what a way to debut, with a sprawling epic such as The House of the Spirits. Within its pages, you will find a captivating blend of terror, magic and love. Spanning four generations, it follows a young woman uncovering her family’s history through her grandmother’s diary. Set against the backdrop of post-colonial Chile, this sweeping narrative may just inspire your next South American voyage. Let Allende’s enchanting storytelling add a sense of wonder to your journey as you trace Chile’s coastlines – and perhaps even put a touch of magic in your sails.
Havana – The Old Man and the Sea
For oceanic inspiration
A story for those with a passion for sportfishing yachts, The Old Man and the Sea is awash in the sea salt and sands of the Havana coast. Its message is simple: through all life’s ups and downs, hope can always be found. Hemingway’s novel follows the story of Cuban fisherman, Santiago, as he battles to catch a marlin off the Gulf Coast of Florida. As the last book that Ernest Hemingway saw published, this story shows us how far a man can go to achieve his goal. With its detailed descriptions of struggle and the sea, it’s a perfect companion for those venturing into Caribbean waters. Feel Santiago’s triumph and tribulations echo through your own travels as you travel past the coastlines and let his journey remind you that the sea always rewards those who respect its power and mystery.
Jamaica – Wide Sargasso Sea
For untold stories
For those sun-baked hours when you want to turn back the clock, Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea is the perfect read. Written as a prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and based on the "mad woman in the attic, Rhys delves into the life of the first Mrs. Rochester. Antoinette Conway’s story unfolds from her youth to her tumultuous marriage to Mr. Rochester. While Bronte’s novel is sharply gothic and cold, Rhys’s version simmers and sweats, set in the sultry heat of 1800s Jamaica. There is nothing idyllic about life on the island and the oppressive glare of the relentless sun is palpable in Rhys’s prose. Wide Sargasso Sea is best savoured with the Caribbean horizon as your backdrop, whether reclining on deck with a cooling breeze or docked at a tropical hideaway.