The adventure novel is a firmly established genre of literature, characterized by rapid development of the plot, sharp plot twists, and real adventures. As a rule, adventure books are designed to entertain, but often such literature is not limited to this function. In this section you will find a variety of different and dissimilar books that will draw you in from the very first lines so that it will be difficult to put down.

Features of books in the Adventure novel genre
The best adventure novels captivate you from the first pages: the authors masterfully immerse us in the atmosphere of the book, and then the screws of the developing plot are tightened ever faster. The genre began with historical books filled with adventures: just remember books about Indians, Caribbean pirates, the shores of the Amazon, treasure islands, world travels, jungles and much more. Such works are based on real lively drive: chases and kidnappings, battles, fights, riddles and secrets. The heroes of the books are charismatic, strong personalities, capable of going against troubles and fate, and delight the reader with their actions. These could be captains of pirate ships, Indians, travelers, young guys - the main thing is that a rich series of adventurous adventures awaits them ahead.
Today, in addition to the fact that you can download adventure novels in the classic form, the genre has developed and began to intertwine with many areas of science fiction, fantasy, detective stories and even the young direction of LitRPG. After all, adventures have a place in any place, in any world, both in the distant fantastic future and in the early Middle Ages. In fact, the genre has no strictly established boundaries, and this is precisely why it continues to attract new readers.
Reading adventure novels (or adventure novel, as it is sometimes called) means enjoying interesting and impressive books.

Why is it more convenient to read an Adventure novel online on Lit-Er?
Lit-Era is an advanced developing literary portal that allows you to download adventure literature or read it online. Every day, traffic to the site is growing, because readers here find works for every taste, and in large quantities. Of course - after all, here many authors publish their amazing books exclusively, and this is done both by long-established professional writers and by young and energetic newcomers who have already managed to captivate readers with their bright and exciting new releases.

Tired of the drab routine, we want to immerse ourselves in fictional worlds filled with exciting adventures. Our top 10 best adventure books will tell you about works with fascinating plots.

10 "The Headless Horseman" Myne Reed

This novel was written in 1865. The action of the book "The Headless Horseman" takes place in 1850, in Texas, USA. Louise, the daughter of a wealthy planter, falls in love with a poor mustanger named Gerald Maurice. Gerald and Louise meet in secret one night, and on the same night Henry, Louise's brother, disappears. Gerald is found covered in blood and with signs of a struggle on his body. Also, he's wearing Henry's clothes. Gerald is immediately suspected of killing Henry. At this moment, the mysterious Headless Horseman appears.

9 “Two Captains” Veniamin Kaverin

This adventure novel was created in 1938-1944. The life of polar explorer Sanya Grigoriev is filled with adventures and dangers. From a young age, he dreamed of understanding the disappearance of an expedition that set off on a journey along the Northern Sea Route. Having matured, the purposeful Sanya Grigoriev begins the search for the missing expedition.

8 "The Diamond Thieves" by Louis Boussenard

This novel was written in 1883. Three men - Alexandre, Albert and Joseph - go to South Africa to find a treasure. Native guides help them find the treasure. However, criminals also want to find the treasure, so many dangers await Alexandre, Albert, Joseph and their guides.

7 “The Island of Lost Ships” Alexander Belyaev

This book was first published in 1926-1927. The current carries the ship out of control to a mysterious place in the Sargasso Sea. The ship finds itself near a mysterious island, which consists of dilapidated deserted sailboats.

6 "The Three Musketeers" Alexandre Dumas the Father

This historical adventure novel was created in 1844. The action of the novel "The Three Musketeers" develops in the years 1625-1628. The main character of the work is a young man named d’Artagnan. He sets out on a journey to become a musketeer. Together with his three musketeer friends - Athos, Porthos and Aramis - d'Artagnan finds himself in many exciting adventures.

5 "Treasure Island" Robert Louis Stevenson

This novel was published in series in a children's magazine in 1881-1882. It was then published in 1883. The novel "Treasure Island" tells about the treasure that the pirate captain Flint hid. The treasures were hidden on a desert island, so their search was filled with many adventures.

4 "The Last of the Mohicans" James Fenimore Cooper

This historical and adventure novel was first published in 1826. The plot of the novel “The Last of the Mohicans” takes place in August 1757, during the French and Indian War. Hunter and tracker Natty Bumppo and two Indians from the Mohican tribe - Chingachgook and his son Uncas - are trying to save two sister girls who are the daughters of a British commander.

3 Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This novel was first published in the spring of 1719. This famous work by Daniel Defoe tells about the traveler Robinson Crusoe, who, after a shipwreck, finds himself on a desert island, where he spends 28 years. Robinson Crusoe learns to survive in the wild and gradually makes his island lifestyle more comfortable.

2 "Hearts of Three" Jack London

This novel was published in a newspaper in 1919-1920. Hearts of Three is the fiftieth book written by Jack London. The young descendant of the pirate Morgan lives in luxury thanks to his inheritance. He learns that a pirate ancestor hid treasure somewhere. After this, the pirate's descendant goes in search of the treasure. He meets Henry Morgan, his distant relative. Together they continue their search, which will lead them to unfamiliar lands and help them find love. There will be many adventures along the path of the treasure hunters.

This novel was first published in 1874. This book is a continuation of Jules Verne's books "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and "The Children of Captain Grant." Five people find themselves on a desert island. They are trying to establish their way of life in the wild. They soon realize that someone is helping them survive on a desert island.

For some people, the above books are books reminiscent of youth. Then they read them and dreamed of the same exciting adventures as the characters in these books. If you are one of these people, reading these works will be doubly enjoyable: you will be carried away by interesting plots and immerse yourself in pleasant memories of the first time you read these books.

Copyright Competition -K2
The adventure genre is the most popular and is preferred by the largest number of readers. Moreover, readers of various ages, intelligence levels and social status. Adventures are read by everyone - from pioneers to pensioners.
However, they are in no hurry to admit this. And it has always been like this. Even in the century before last, the intelligentsia declared from the rostrum that they recognized Spengler exclusively, although, in fact, they avidly read Paul de Kock. Since then, a lot has changed in science, technology and social order, but according to the results of the first half of 2012, Marinina’s detective story “Tiger Fight in the Valley” became the best-selling novel. You can't argue with numbers.

And literary scholars, just as they did not like the adventure novel, continue to convince us that adventures are second-rate literature. So let us answer these, God forgive me, philologists in their own language!

The division of literature into “serious” and some other is artificial.
There is one concept of literature as an art with different generic, genre content.
Adventure genres are part of the general literary process and cannot be considered outside the context of its development.
Moreover, the literary process itself is largely directed by the evolution of adventure - low, according to philologists - genres.
Here!

Well, now that these annoying ones have been melted down, let's talk about the adventure genre seriously.

The adventure genre includes almost all the attributes necessary for interesting and exciting reading - the dynamics and complexity of the plot, brave and beautiful heroes, love twists and turns and unexpected turns.

As a genre, the adventure novel emerged in the mid-19th century.
The predecessors of the adventure novel of the 19th century were the works of Walter Scott, Fenimore Cooper, and Victor Hugo. And, of course, Dumas and Stevenson added shine to the genre.
The end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century is the golden age of adventure. The writers went wild. These are Louis Boussenard, Edgar Poe, Melville, Sabbatini, Théophile Gautier, Jack London, Bram Stoker, Jules Verne, Conan Doyle, Mine Reed, H.G. Wells and many others.
In Russia, A. Green, V. Kaverin, A. Tolstoy, A. Belyaev, G. Adamov, A. Rybakov worked in the adventure genre.
What names! Classics! All of them have stood the test of time and, undoubtedly, have become names in the history of literature.

Mass love for adventure literature is usually seen as a response to mundane literature (that is, realism), which was only interested in the everyday life of everyday life. And readers wanted to expand the world, they needed works in which passions would boil, with extraordinary heroes who would go through the most difficult trials and achieve success with fabulous ease. In short, we needed an amazing, mysterious, exciting world of adventure.

“What she likes most in novels is the long, cunningly conceived and deftly unraveled intrigue, the magnificent duels, before which the Viscount unties the bows from his shoes as a sign that he does not intend to retreat a single step from his position, and after which the Marquis, having pierced through the Count apologizes for making a hole in his beautiful new doublet; purses filled with gold, carelessly thrown left and right by the main characters, love adventures and witticisms of Henry IV - in a word, all this spicy, gold and lace, heroism of the past centuries of French history" (Kuprin. Yama)

What distinguishes the adventure genre from others?

First of all, FABULA.
Despite the external variety of plots of adventure works, their plot is quite simple. This is escape, travel, captivity, miraculous salvation.
A love story may be present, but the focus is not on the psychology of the lovers’ relationship, but on overcoming external circumstances that prevent their happy reunion.

As a rule, the main character sets out on a search for a loved one, a treasure, an enchanted place, or some idea.

I immediately remember:
Conan Doyle. "The Lost World". Professor Challenger and his company go to South America in search of a certain mountain plateau, where, according to rumors, dinosaurs and primitive people of the Stone Age live.
Jack London. "Hearts of Three" The young descendant of the pirate Morgan, who left him a rich inheritance, goes in search of the treasures of his ancestor.
Jules Verne. "Around the world in 80 days." Phileas Fogg bet that he would be able to circumnavigate the globe in no more than 80 days, which was the maximum possible speed at that time.

Alternatively, the hero finds himself in a difficult situation and in order to get out of it, the hero has to overcome many obstacles. (Dumas. The Count of Monte Cristo. Mine Reid. The Headless Horseman)

We all remember these (and other) novels very well due to the HIGH EMOTIONAL INTENSITY OF THE ACTION.
Extraordinary events await the hero - shooting, predators, natural disasters.

The intrigue underlying the work includes MANY PLOT COMPLICATIONS.
Heroes constantly fall out of the frying pan and into the fire. For example,

The crew of the schooner "Pilgrim" dies as a result of a fight with a whale (Jules Verne. "The Fifteen-Year-Old Captain"). Junior sailor Dick Sand takes command. Everything would be fine, but the evil cook Negoro turns out to be an agent of the slave traders and deceives him to change the course of the ship (remember the ax under the compass?). The heroes sail to Africa instead of South America (well, they made a slight mistake). And here again is the villain, this time Negoro’s accomplice. He again lures the heroes deeper into the country by deception. Everyone ends up in slavery. But one black man escapes and saves Dick. Again dangerous adventures, as a result of which the heroes save a woman with a child and a crappy entomologist.

Or
The transatlantic ship Benjamin Franklin sinks during a storm (A. Belyaev. “Island of Lost Ships”). It's drowning, drowning, but don't drown. And the heroes find themselves brought somewhere into the inner region of the Sargasso Sea. And there is not just anything, but a whole state consisting of unsank victims of shipwrecks. The villainous governor (self-proclaimed) wants to marry the beautiful heroine, but the positive hero does not allow him to do so. The hero quickly repairs the German submarine, and the whole company sets sail from the island. They return to America, and there it turns out that the good hero is acquitted (before that he was accused of a crime, but everything turned out okay). The heroes get married and go to the Sargasso Sea again (well, they really are itching for it).
And during their absence, dramatic events occur there. Everyone thinks that the villainous governor was shot, and his successor orders the construction of bridges to the neighboring ship wrecks. And then this very murdered governor is announced, who, it turns out, survived the mess. He is quickly arrested, but while the visiting expedition is exploring the underwater world, the villain escapes and hides on one of the abandoned ships. Of course, it's a siege. At this time, a Chinese man, high on opium, explodes an oil tank.

Or
After long ordeals, Goryunov’s expedition (Obruchev. “Sannikov’s Land”) reaches the desired point and even wins the sympathy of the local residents - the Onkilons. They live together, even fight hand in hand against wampus - people of the Stone Age. But here again bad luck - earthquakes begin. The volcanic island is in danger of extinction.

Adventure is an incident, an unexpected event in life (Ozhegov).
Adventure is an adventurous adventure, a risky undertaking (Ushakov).

Old maps that keep the secrets of pirate treasures, randomly found letters, overheard conversations - all these moments are the starting points for a long series of adventures in which the hero's willpower and the qualities of his character are tested - courage, loyalty, the ability to take decisive action. This is the MAIN IDEA in any adventure book.

HEROES, CHARACTERS, CHARACTERS
The hero of an adventure novel is precisely a hero in the epic sense of the word, an infallible fighter who defends the ideals of goodness and justice.
Adventure literature does not imply deep psychologism, therefore, as a rule, the characters of the heroes are distinguished by integrity and staticity. The hero's reflection is not of particular interest to the narrator.

The revelation of the HERO'S IMAGE occurs through the SHARPENESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
The main characteristic of a hero is his actions.
As the action progresses, the heroes always face trials, obstacles, humiliation, and at the very end - fulfillment of desires (for positive characters) and collapse or disappointment (for negative ones).

The main character qualities of the main character are honesty and courage, devotion to ideals and the ability to take decisive action. The hero is unshakable and knows how to cope with his fear. Honor is extremely important to him; the hero really lives by this very law.

“Look, my lord! - said Gloucester, turning to Lord Foxham. - Here's a strange couple. When I invited the young man to choose a reward for himself, he asked to have mercy on the old drunken sailor. I warned him, but he persisted in his stupidity. “This is where my favors end,” I said. And he answered me with impudent self-confidence: “I will have to come to terms with the loss of your favors.” Well then! So be it!” (Stevenson. Black Arrow).

As a rule, the main character is young and quite simple-minded. And if he is not young (like the same Professor Challenger), then all the same, his main achievements are in the future.
The main character is not only active, but also smart. His mind is practical, producing quick - even lightning-fast - schemes for optimal behavior in a given situation.
Natural data (intelligence, ingenuity, quick wit) are enough to take from life everything that it can give.

In adventure literature, the authority of the initiative principle is very strong and the rejection of automatic, routine activity is equally strong. Even if the main character was an inconspicuous clerk, events will unfold in such a way that he, at a minimum, will have to perform the functions of an admiral. And the hero will cope with this perfectly. In an adventure novel, dry book knowledge is always rejected in favor of active creative work.

The main character has an extraordinary sense of humor. With a witty escapade, he atones for failures, fends off the blows of fate, and pillorys his enemies.
The main character is an extrovert, moves a lot, strives to fill as much space as possible.
A hero can wander around the world because he was slandered by scoundrels or did not want to remain in the musty world of ordinary people. In any case, he is not looking for anything for himself, but fights for an idea/freedom, protects the orphaned and defenseless.
Alternatively, the hero can be a scientist, a kind eccentric who was called on the journey by science.

I urge you to pay attention to this interesting point. On the one hand, the hero is overwhelmed by all-consuming, fatal, irresistible passions, blinded by love or hatred. But, on the other hand, the hero shows the ability to reason sensibly and act thoughtfully. Don't look for psychological inconsistency in this - this is how all adventure novels work.

Sometimes the author allows his hero to be a more or less immoral adventurer and act under the slogan “The end justifies the means.” So, d'Artagnan tricks himself into having sex with Milady, and even receives an expensive ring as a reward. And note, readers are not at all discouraged by this fact.

Almost always the main character is not burdened with a family; if there are relatives, they are very distant and somewhere not here.
It is more interesting to consider the love line. The search for a loved one who has not yet existed or who, on the contrary, existed but disappeared, can form the plot of the work. In this case, the ending of the journey is known in advance. This is a passionate embrace of lovers and marriage. Which, in fact, is where all the adventures end, which is what makes an adventurous novel similar to a fairy-tale ending: “They got married and lived happily ever after.”

“To the singing of trumpets, to the clank of weapons, to the tramp of horses of the departing army, Dick and Joanna sat side by side, lovingly holding hands, and looking into each other’s eyes with ever-increasing tenderness.
Since then, the dirt and blood of this violent era flowed away from them. Far from worries, they lived in that green forest where their love arose” (Stevenson. Black Arrow)

The main character loves to talk, even to be frank. And so that he does not do this with the first person he meets, the author finds him a mate - as a rule, a character standing at the very bottom of the hierarchy of the work. Servant, in short. Like Planchet by d'Artagnan or Conseil by Professor Aronnax (Jules Verne. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea).
What is this for? By talking to each other, master and servant divulge their inner lives, making psychological interludes unnecessary. In the absence of a living interlocutor or confessor, the hero sets out his plans in a diary. Not a bad welcome, by the way. Helps the author avoid many unnecessary explanations.

A negative hero is a polar repetition or distortion of the qualities of the main character. (Remember, Protagonist is Antagonist?)
So, the adventure novel, to a greater extent than other genres, is built precisely on the opposition of heroes. The author emphasizes the merits of the positive ones and belittles the merits of the negative ones.
In almost all adventure novels, there comes a moment when the positive protagonist shows the makings of a superman - he makes an unprecedented effort, physical or mental, and saves someone/is saved himself.
The negative hero also has a strong character (sometimes even supernaturally strong and evil, such as Professor Moriarty), there is will, intelligence, determination and courage. But if at that very notorious critical moment the positive hero surpasses himself, then the negative one quickly deflates and loses.

Developing psychologically credible and original characters is not important for an adventure novel, in which everything is subordinated to the fascination of intrigue.
Characters can be typical to the point of caricature. For example, pirates are all drunk and bloodthirsty. In Agatha Christie's novels there is always a retired military man and a couple of old maids, in Conan Doyle - a native of the colonies, and in Gardner - a millionaire from Texas and a beauty who was a former dancer. But this is not scary, the main thing is that in different combinations of the same type of figures the author creates very original adventure stories.

The narrator in adventure fiction often acts as its hero, especially when the narration is told in the first person. But even being a third person, the narrator can have the character’s credentials, even if hidden.

The LANGUAGE of adventure novels is as accessible and lively as possible, so as not to distract the reader from following the plot.

PORTRAITS OF CHARACTERS ARE PRESENTED DYNAMICALLY. Attention is focused on the most striking features of appearance, behavioral characteristics, details of clothing, etc.
“A man came out of a side room. I immediately realized that this was Long John. His left leg was amputated up to the hip. He held a crutch under his left shoulder and controlled it with unusual dexterity, jumping like a bird at every step” (Stevenson. Treasure Island).

The same can be said about landscape sketches. Descriptions of nature/weather are introduced solely so that the reader can navigate the scenery and prepare for the development of the plot at this stage of the story.

“The landscape, if you can call it that, has changed, but not for the better. Everything is still black all the way to the horizon. Only the surface is no longer smooth: it has become wavy. Chains of hills are interspersed with valleys. It cannot be said that there are no trees here at all, although what remains of them can hardly be called that. There were trees here before the fire - algarobo, mesquito and some other types of acacia grew here alone and in groves. Their feathery foliage disappeared without a trace, leaving only charred trunks and blackened branches.
-Have you lost your way, my friend? - asks the planter, hastily driving up to his nephew.
- No, uncle, not yet. I stopped to look around. We need to go through this valley. Let the caravan continue on its way. We are going the right way, I vouch for it” (Mine Reed. The Headless Horseman)

LOCATION plays a big role.

Heroes tend to explore territory beyond their normal habitat. Therefore, an adventure novel can also be called a novel of search.

It should be noted that an interesting trend has emerged in modern adventure literature.
In the last century, most adventure novels took place in medieval castles and luxurious estates. The main requirement for the location was the presence of beauty - luxurious interiors and exotic nature became the backdrop for the rapid events and experiences of the characters.
In our democratic times, rich villas and royalty (as well as dukes, counts and lords) are no longer in fashion. Characters can function in places that are more familiar to the reader. Let us recall, for example, Glukhovsky’s novel “Metro,” where the action takes place in the Moscow metro – the largest anti-nuclear bomb shelter on earth.

The tactics for choosing heroes have also changed. If in the past the hero of the novel was an extraordinary person (scientist - a rare profession, rich - unattainable status, noble blood - fabulous luck to be born in the right family), now the heroes are completely ordinary people. From the crowd.
The technique is very attractive because it allows the author to show the reader - this is your chance! All this could happen to you, just read!
I wrote it and thought that this is not such a modern trend. Remember Agatha Christie's The Man in the Brown Suit (1924), where a simple girl from the English countryside, Anne, finds herself at the center of an international espionage conspiracy. And not just anywhere, but in the center of Africa!

But what the modern adventure novel has definitely inherited is the HEROES’ CRAVING TO MOVE.
Dan Brown. "The Da Vinci Code". The heroes successively visit the Louvre, the American embassy in Paris, Zurich, Chateau-Villette (France), Kent (England), Westminster Abbey (oh, lucky these members of the European Union!) and finally end in Scotland.

There is a quick – cinematic – flashing of scenery, against the backdrop of which strong and beautiful heroes beautifully confront villains (sometimes also beautiful). Perhaps this should be considered as a kind of psychotherapeutic technique that allows us to compensate for the lack of emotionality in everyday life.

Now let's try to summarize.

Adventure literature was, is and will be, despite the high-brow aesthetes trying to stab it with their eternal feathers. There are some doubts about the future of the aesthetes themselves.

Adventure literature is characterized by the rapid development of action, the change and severity of plot twists, the exaggeration of the characters’ experiences, the motives of secrets, abductions and persecution.

One of the main tasks of adventure literature is not so much to teach as to entertain the reader. (V.S. Muravyov. “Adventure Literature”).

“There are people who stubbornly try to consider adventure as something like the last point in the program of cultural events, at the very end, after the dancing. And adventure is that optimistic rhythm that helps scientific and artistic creativity, ensures the success of complex work that requires initiative, daring, and invention from its performer.” (With)

Let us add on our own that very good adventure literature also educates the reader along the way. At least in the field of geography.

That’s basically all I wanted to draw your attention to on the eve of the new competition, which will be called “Adventures”

With respect to lovers of different literature,
Willow

© Copyright: Copyright Competition -K2, 2013
Certificate of publication No. 213013100491

20 Best Travel Books: Adventures on the Couch

Firstly, in the fall you remember that there are such pleasant things in the world as sofa cushions, hot cups and fascinating books. Secondly, I want to rush somewhere into the distance after flocks of wild geese.

Here you have two options: a) read books about paths and roads - and with fresh inspiration and motivation, take off from a low start somewhere in the Himalayas; b) read them and visit distant, amazing places without looking up from the sofa!

1. Gregory David Roberts “Shantaram”

One of the most deservedly beloved books of the beginning of our millennium. Escape from prison and roofless Bombay, life in the slums, scams and adventures, mafia and drugs, mujahideen and gurus... And crazy love, where without it. And philosophical reflections at the same time. A hot, spicy dish that's hard to put down. It’s interesting that all this is not fictional: the book is autobiographical.

2. Thor Heyerdahl “Kon-Tiki”, “From “Kon-Tiki” to “Ra””

This man pulled off probably the most breathtaking adventure of the 20th century! And not just one. Sailing across the ocean on a papyrus boat to test the hypothesis about the settlement of Polynesia is super cool, making another similar journey is cool squarely. And he also wrote about it. Cool in a cube!

3. Jules Verne “Around the World in 80 Days”

An imperturbable and eccentric Englishman travels around the world on a bet with his temperamental French servant. The situation is complicated by many dangers; moreover, the funny couple is being pursued by an overly zealous detective. Every day something happens to them: either they save someone, or they themselves are barely saved at the last second. Rereading Jules Verne even for the third time is like going back to childhood with ice cream and board games.

4. Marina Moskvina “Road to Annapurna”

Moskvina has more than one cool book about her own travels (with her artist husband). In “Bedboard of Grass” and “Heavenly Slugs,” she talked about how they were carried around Japan and the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Now they were carried to the kingdom of Nepal, and there they were carried all the way to the great Mount Annapurna. “Well, you are complete crazy,” as their son Serenya said. It is an avid read, because it is written easily, funny and inspired.

5. Jack Kerouac “On the Road”

Two antisocial friends travel around America, leading an unhealthy but very inspired lifestyle. One knows how to live, the other knows how to write. “Really, this is the story of two Catholic friends traveling around the country in search of God. And we managed to find him.” A cult thing, a classic not only for antisocial descendants of beatniks, it is a must read.

6. Mark Twain “Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims’ Progress”

First, the Old World discovered the New World. And then, many years later, a guy from America went to discover Europe and Palestine. Along the way, I became better acquainted with myself, looking from the outside, with my critical and ironic eye, at my compatriots with their signature “cockroaches”. Anyone who sits in one place will never properly understand the world, other people, and himself! The moral is clear, but it is also true.

7. Arto Paasilinna “Year of the Hare”

The main character unexpectedly gives up his established life and begins to wander around Finland. Not alone, but in the company of... a hare. The most literal and natural. Wherever they took them! Some unusually touching book that evokes a whole bunch of feelings. From sympathy for the hero (“How I understand him!”) to bewildered laughter (“What are they doing, it’s crazy!”).

8. Louis Boussenard “The Diamond Thieves”

Three French friends travel across Africa, while being constantly exposed to mortal danger. Against them are the poisoned arrows of the natives and crocodiles, local bandits and, oddly enough, the police. Stormy rivers and roaring waterfalls flash by, friends escape - and again fall into traps, suffer from malaria, and fall into slavery. The landscapes of the hot continent and the characters of the friends are perfectly described. In the end, they will discover the treasures of the ancient Kaffir kings, which will eventually go to... Remember who? ;)

9. Ivan Goncharov “Frigate “Pallada””

A few very classic classics in our traveling ocean. Goncharov was the secretary of the expedition that set off across the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans to the lands of Japan. For him it was a new life, “in which every movement, every step, every impression was unlike any before.” And for Russian literature it is a valuable gift.

10. Ilf and Petrov “One-story America”

America is made up of more than just skyscrapers. Ilf and Petrov realized this in the thirties when they went on a trip to the States by car. Together with them we arrive in Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington and many other cities, stop at the Grand Canyon and an Indian village, get acquainted with Hemingway and Ford - that is, we ride in a time machine. And we learn many things that surprise even today.

11. David Byrne “Notes of a Cyclist”

David Byrne is known to the cultural community as a musician. Talking Heads, Oscar, Grammy, everything. But it turns out that musicians can not only scream in trees! People like Byrne can travel around the world on a bike – and it’s also fun to write about it.

12. Jon Krakauer “Into the Wild”

Like “On the Road,” it is written based on real events. And also about hitchhiking. And also in America. Only in Alaska. Only towards not unhealthy entertainment, but wild nature and strange people. Both the film based on the book and the original source itself are very impressive - and will not be released soon.

13. James Clavell “Shogun”

Perhaps this book does not quite fit into the framework of “travel books,” but it is very good. The story takes place in 1600, an English sailor, after a shipwreck, ends up in Japan, which at first is another planet for him. And gradually - a second home. Even dearer than the first. And the homeland of great love...

14. Gerald Durrell “Hounds of Bafut”

The travel notes of trapper Darrell are written with indescribable, purely English humor. It is impossible not to fall in love not only with himself, the author, but also with Von Bafut - the childishly touching, naive and at the same time harsh leader with his subordinates, as well as the hunters and every little animal caught. As soon as the weather turns bad both inside and outside, pick up this book and several hours of refreshing joy await you.

15. John Steinbeck “Charlie's Journeys in Search of America”

Steinbeck lived too long in New York and felt that something was missing in his life. He lacked horizons. Which he found while wandering around the country in a truck called “Rocinante”, and we found in his book. And Charlie is the hero's friend. Only he's a poodle.

16. Peter Weil “Genius loci”

A book of traveling around the world not alone, but together with a genius of literature or art. Imagine how great it is to see London through the eyes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Paris through the eyes of the creator of the Three Musketeers, Dumas! Byron will whisper about Istanbul in one ear, and Brodsky in the other. Velazquez will open Madrid for you, and you will explore New York with O. Henry. And that's not all! Along the way, the author takes you around the markets, and you will understand: not only geniuses connect different countries and cities with their creativity, but also gastronomic pleasures.

17. Karen Blixen “Out of Africa”

Critics will say that this thing has everything “from a thriller to travelogues, from philosophical prose to lyrical comedy.” Fans of authority will remember that the book was nominated for a Nobel, and the film based on it received a bouquet of Oscars. We'll just open it and enjoy. There is Africa, it is bright, incomprehensible and magical.

18. Yuri Koval “The lightest boat in the world”

Traveling through the lakes, meadows, rivulets and streams of the middle zone - that's what this book is about. But not only that. It is about how to find bamboo in the middle of winter, what is more important - a gramophone or a future boat, about a flying head and an invisible terrible Daddy... But in fact, it is about the eternal choice: how many friends can you put in the small boat of your life, and about what All the most important things are shown to us in the corners of our eyes. We warn you: be careful, the book is addictive and persistent!

19. Orhan Pamuk “Istanbul. City of Memories”

A person who has lived in the city for half a century becomes one with it. He knows everything about it, knows everyone in it - and can navigate the most non-tourist streets so that you can only look and listen excitedly. It’s a difficult book, very difficult – and yet, without it, traveling around Istanbul will not be nearly as bright and meaningful as with it.

20. Denise Woods “Night Train to Innsbruck”

Richard and Frances meet on the train to Innsbruck. Accidentally. But they were going on a journey through the desert of Sudan. Together! For both, the unexpected separation along the way was a shock. Both are sure that the other is to blame. Both have experienced such things that now there are enough memories for two lives. Both are sure that the other is lying. There is exoticism and a puzzle here... And life, and tears, and love.

Julia Sheket

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1. Jack London - "White Fang".
White Fang's father is a wolf, his mother is half wolf, half dog. He soon learns the "Law of Prey": eat - or you will be eaten. The world around is harsh and cruel, and the white fang has no illusions about this. Devotion to a person becomes a law for him, and a wolf cub born in the wild produces a dog in which there is much of the wolf, and yet it is a dog, not a wolf.

This story by J. London has been filmed many times, and is rightfully considered one of the best works about animals in world literature.

2. Jules Verne - "5 weeks in a balloon."
“Five Weeks in a Balloon” is one of the most fascinating works of the great Jules Verne, which once enjoyed enormous popularity, and in recent decades has served as the basis for numerous, but very far from the text of the novel, film adaptations. The story of the dangerous adventures of a trio of balloonists who decided to travel in a balloon is told in this stunning novel against the backdrop of exotic pictures of Africa - the amazing animal world, the bizarre rituals and beliefs of the tribes inhabiting it.

3. Alexey Tolstoy - "Aelita".
The novel, which became a classic of Russian science fiction and excited more than one generation of readers with dreams of Mars, now appears in its original form - in the first edition of 1922-1923, without cuts and changes made by the author subsequently for ideological reasons. The open sensuality, symbolism, philosophical depth and ideological ambiguity of the early version of "Aelita" take it beyond the usual boundaries of romantic adventure literature for young people. And thanks to the artistic interpretation of Igor Oleinikov, not only the heroes of the novel and the mysterious Martian landscapes take on visible form, but also the great force itself that leads “Through Fire and Struggle, Past the Stars, Past Death” and calls through the universe with the voice of eternity: “where are you, where you, love. 4. Robert Stevenson - "Treasure Island".
Robert Louis Stevenson is a famous English writer, literary critic, poet, founder of neo-romanticism, author of the fascinating and beloved works “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde”, “Black Arrow”, “Suicide Club”, “The Rajah’s Diamond”, “The Castaways” ". However, Stevenson's most famous novel, which brought him worldwide fame, is Treasure Island (1883.

This adventure novel, rightfully considered one of the best in its genre, was born from the game. To entertain his twelve-year-old stepson Lloyd Osborne, to whom the work is dedicated, Stevenson drew a map of a fictitious treasure island and began to tell its story, making the same boy the main character. From the moment of its appearance to the present day, the novel, characterized by an exciting plot and lively, memorable images of the pirates Captain Flint and John Silver, has been popular with readers of all ages.

5. Arthur Conan Doyle - "Marakot's Abyss".
The creator of the series of detective works about Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, made a significant contribution to the science fiction genre. Bold hypotheses about the legendary Atlanteans living in the depths of the ocean acquired an amazing reality under his pen. Together with the brave Maracot scientist, readers embark on a dangerous journey to the bottom of the ocean in search of the unknown. This volume presents the author's complete version of the novel, which is not included in the classic collected works of the author in our country.

6. i. A. Efremov - "Shadow of the Past".
A collection based on the early stories of Ivan Efremov from the three-volume collected works published by the Molodaya Gvardiya publishing house in 1975-76: “sublunary char”, “shadow of the past”, “lake of mountain spirits” and others. Written back in the 40s, the stories have not yet lost their appeal. Romance, the spirit of adventure, search and discovery are inherent in each of these small works. Ivan Efremov is rightly considered one of the founders of modern science fiction. Already during his lifetime, his work was classified as a “Phenomenon”.

7. Mine Reid - "The Headless Horseman".
"The Headless Horseman" is the pearl of Mine Reed's creative heritage. The exciting story of the beautiful Louise Poindexter and the noble Irishman Maurice Gerald, the proud Mexican Isidora Covarubio, the cruel captain Cassius Colhoun, the brave hunter Zeb Stump and the dashing bandit El Coyote is considered a real standard of adventure prose and is endlessly loved by both foreign and domestic readers.

8. Jack London - "Hearts of Three".
"Hearts of Three" is a pearl of London's creative heritage.
The fascinating story of cousins ​​Francis and Henry Morgan, distant descendants of the great pirate captain, who went in search of the treasures of their legendary ancestor, and the beautiful Leoncia, with whom they are both in love, has been filmed more than once - both in the West and in our country.

But even the most successful film adaptations still failed to fully embody all the charm and fascination of Jack London’s immortal novel.

9. Henry Rider Haggard - "Moctezuma's Daughter."
The English writer and publicist Henry Rider Haggard was an avid traveler and meticulous researcher, so his novels are based on personal impressions and real historical facts. The combination of a fascinating plot and dynamic narrative, an abundance of reliable details and the author’s rich imagination - all this makes Haggard’s works in demand today.

The fate of the hero of the novel "Montezuma's Daughter" by Thomas Wingfield is a continuous chain of surprises. He intended to become a doctor, but was declared the supreme god of the Aztecs; Instead of a peaceful life in his father’s estate, he fought against the conqueror of Mexico, Cortez. He repented of his love and loyalty to a girl named Lily, but became the husband of Princess Otomi.

10. Robert Shtilmark - "The Heir from Calcutta."
“The Heir from Calcutta” (1950-1951) is a legendary historical and adventure novel by the wonderful Russian writer Robert Aleksandrovich Shtilmark (1909-1985. Written in Stalin’s camps, it saw the light and attention only in 1958 and immediately became a bestseller. Set in the 18th century century unfolds. Captain Bernardito's pirate ship captures a ship with passengers in the Indian Ocean: Fredrick Ryland, the heir to the count's title, and his bride Emily. Further events take place in England, Africa, Spain, Italy, North America. adventures in exotic countries and the fight for justice - all this makes you read the book without stopping.

The publication is accompanied by an afterword by F. R. Shtilmark, the son of the writer, which tells about the life and work of R. a. Shtilmark and the creation of his most famous work. The book publishes a complete series of illustrations for “The Heir from Calcutta,” created by the famous St. Petersburg artist Oleg Yudin.

Nowadays, more and more people are trying to get away from traditional types of recreation; they want new adventures, risks, find an opportunity to overcome themselves, learn the rules of survival in extreme conditions, and much more.

Tourists are already tired of the usual amenities, tired of lying on the beach and doing nothing. I want something new! And here the right decision would be to engage in adventure tourism.

Adventure tours are popular with those who, as children, read books about pirates and treasures and dreamed of being a participant in these events.

The goal of this type of tourism is to give tourists the opportunity to experience incredible adventures, discover the world of wildlife, and learn new things about other peoples.

Anyone can go on such a tour, regardless of their level of physical fitness. And this is the main difference from extreme tourism. But extreme tours are usually carried out by people who, as a rule, have certain knowledge and skills.

A simple example: you are going on an extreme diving tour. So, before you dive, you must undergo diving training not only in theory, but also in practice.

Extreme tourism may include rafting or boating on mountain rivers, diving, jeep safaris through the deserts or sailing. Tourists may be offered horses, camels or dog sleds as means of transportation.
For each person, the choice of one or another type of recreation that will be interesting to him is strictly individual. Some people consider river cruises on a flat river an adventure, while others want to travel to the North Pole or climb the volcanoes of Kamchatka. All people are different!

Thus, adventure tourism is a journey in natural conditions, which only sets itself the goal of finding new experiences.

People of different ages can go on such trips. This could be one person or a young couple, or maybe a group of friends.

Some tours also include accompaniment by local guides who know the route and are well versed in the area, hotel accommodation, rental of tents, camping equipment, and meals.

If we talk about the cost of this tourism product, it is not cheap. All over the world, such tours cost quite a lot of money, because this includes transport, equipment and service.

What is adventure sport? 5.6. Adventure tourism

Adventure tourism can be divided into two parts: adventure sports and adventure travel. Currently, in addition to traditional sports, new ones related to adventure have emerged and are included in tourism activities. Among them are:
- balloon tourism: a trip in a hot air balloon that combines tranquility, emotions and entertainment;
- “Bus-bob” - a descent down the river on a special boat of a special shape, on which all participants are located;
- "Cars" in the mountains - descent from the mountains along the slopes, in the summer on the grass, in the winter on the snow;
- "Rappels" - downhill in the mountains;
- rock climbing - participants train on an artificial wall before going on a real climb into the mountains;
- parachute jumping - parachute descent in the mountains or into the sea;
- hang gliding - descent from the mountains on a hang glider or a special parachute;
- "Puenting" - jump from a bridge with a rope attached to the belt;
- "Rafting" - a collective descent down a stormy river;
- water skiing;
- windsurfing - sailing on a board in the sea or lake;
- traveling on horses and motorcycles across the plains and mountains;
- archery;
- Asian parks - various exotic games can be held in these parks.
Walking, "trekking" - such excursions last from one day to several weeks, with various competitions, acquaintance with nature, etc.
Adventure tourism consists not only of sports activities with a greater or lesser degree of risk, but also of various trips, the routes of which take place in difficult geographical or natural conditions. For example: the Amazon River, the Sahara Desert, the Himalayas, etc. In addition, the possible difficulties of the route may depend on vehicles, places of residence, and type of food.
Tourist areas where adventurous travel is practiced are African savannas and deserts, mountainous regions of South America and Asia. These trips cost much less than other types of combined services.
There are special travel agencies that cater mainly to young people who prefer risky sports and adventure to other types of recreation.

Adventure tourism is a trip with active modes of transportation, combining being in nature, physical activity, and learning. An obligatory element of such a holiday is participation in ongoing events, bringing vivid emotions. A night in a tent for a modern person can become an adventure in itself; add to this extraordinary situations on the route, natural or artificial obstacles, communication with new people, dinner cooked over a fire - and you will be amazed at the new facets of what seems to be a long-familiar peace. Such a vacation will be a useful change of activity, being in nature will help you relax, and even one day in a new environment will allow you to look at your life from a new angle and will certainly be remembered for a long time. Safety issues are also important: before the start of the tour, all participants undergo detailed instructions and are equipped with a full set of personal equipment, and during the hike the group is accompanied by an instructor.

Diverse and picturesque nature - Narochan, Braslav, Ushach lakes, national parks, dense forests, impenetrable swamps, steep hills and flat plains - as well as the established rich cultural and historical traditions make it possible to successfully develop adventure tourism in Belarus. Adventure tours in our country are available to people without special training, although there are special routes designed for experienced travelers. In winter, when due to weather conditions the choice of adventure tours is limited, we offer organization of corporate tours, children's and family parties with quests and animation. We will develop a program to suit every taste, so that every participant in the event has fun and comfort. In the summer, the choice of adventure tours is very wide - these are the passage of ecological trails and water routes of various lengths in national parks, helicopter rides over the Naroch region, costumed excursions to the places of life of famous people of Belarus, safari tours, “guerrilla” trips through low-lying swamps, mystical excursions to castles and estates.

A scene from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, staged at a Disney theme park.

An adventure film (also an Adventure film) is an action-packed type of feature film, corresponding to an adventure novel in literature. Unlike action films, in adventure films the emphasis is shifted from brutal violence to the ingenuity of the characters, the ability to outwit and deceive the villain. In adventure films, the heroes have to get out of difficult situations in an original way. A happy ending is also very likely.

There are 8 subgenres of adventure films: costume adventure, family film, fantasy, romance, sea adventure, space travel, swashbuckler adventure, military adventure.

The types of adventure genre are:

• The gangster film originated at the end of silent films and actively developed in the United States with the advent of sound films. The paintings were intended to prove the power of law and order over organized crime. Examples: Underground (1927) by Joseph von Sternberg, The Public Enemy (1931) by William Wellman, Scarface (1932) by Howard Hawks and the 1983 remake, Little Caesar (1931), I Am an Escaped Convict "(1932). In the post-war period, gangster films were revived, and the image of gangsters was romanticized, as, for example, in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967) by Arthur Penn, and the “Godfather” trilogy (1972-1990) by Francis Coppola.
• The police film replaced the gangster film in the mid-1930s. Examples: Jim Men (1935), The Maltese Falcon (1941) by John Huston, The Deep Sleep (1946) by Howard Hawks.
• film of a cloak and a sword (if the action takes place in Europe). Examples: The Count of Monte Cristo (1954), Orpheus (1950).
• Western (if the action takes place in the Wild West). Examples: "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) by E. Porter.
• disaster movie
• etc.

• Adventure literature
• List of adventure films
• Quest