From Stonehenge to the future: Introducing The British Isles

After braving the icy winds of the Nordic Islands, it’s time for me to head southwest to the British Isles and explore an absolute treasure trove of stories. Britain has shaped much of what we know as “classic literature,” of which I will claim I have read my fair share already. 

In many regions of the world, I anticipate difficulties finding books in English translation. But in this English-speaking part of the world of course the opposite will be true — there’s an overwhelming number of options before me. But before we dive in, let’s get a little overview of what lies ahead.

So where exactly are we going?

Despite their proximity, just an hour’s flight west of Denmark, I’ve never actually visited any of these places in person. Officially, the two countries we will be visiting are Ireland and the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” but I quickly decided to split the UK into its four parts and read them separately (because the 195 recognized countries of the world are just not enough of a challenge for me, you know?)

So over the next five weeks, I will be reading books from these five places: 

Ireland — The Emerald Isle

Ireland is often referred to as the “Emerald Isle” because of its lush, green landscape. The island is famous for its rolling hills, dramatic cliffs like those of Moher, and charming villages dotted along its rugged coastline. Dublin, the capital, sits on the eastern side, with a literary heritage as the birthplace of James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Oscar Wilde. The mystical countryside has inspired countless poets and storytellers.

I am not sure if I have read any books from Ireland before, but I do know it is a land of lyrical storytelling and a rich literary history. I think many of the fantasy books I have read before have drawn inspiration from Irish mythology.

My list of recommendations from Ireland

Northern Ireland — Country of Conflict and Resilience

Northern Ireland is a land of contrasts, with stunning natural beauty and a history marked by division and conflict. It is home to the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which I personally know only from that scene in Harry Potter …), and the city of Belfast, where shipbuilders once constructed the Titanic.

This region’s troubled past, particularly during the period known as “The Troubles,” has left a deep imprint on the culture and literature of Northern Ireland. I really don’t know what to expect here. It is a place and a history I know entirely too little about, and this will be a good opportunity for me to do something about that.

My list of recommendations from Northern Ireland

Scotland — Bagpipe Music and Brave Men in Kilts

Scotland’s geography is dramatic, with its windswept Highlands, rugged coastlines, and countless lochs (including the famous Loch Ness). Edinburgh, the capital, is renowned for its medieval Old Town, elegant Georgian New Town, and the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. Glasgow has a more industrial and modern vibe.

Scotland’s strong sense of identity have inspired countless authors, but beyond its legendary past, the country also appears to have a thriving contemporary literary scene.

My list of recommendations from Scotland

Wales — Language of Legends

Wales is a land of striking landscapes, from the peaks of Snowdonia in the north to the sweeping beaches of the Gower Peninsula in the south. It has more castles per square kilometer than any other country in Europe, and its ancient Celtic language, Cymraeg, is still widely spoken. That incredible language combined with the green valleys and dramatic coastlines make Wales feel like something straight out of a high fantasy novel.

The Welsh novel How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn is in my physical bookshelf, but I never read it. I think I will find something magical here.

My list of recommendations from Wales

England — Shakespeare and Beyond

England’s geography ranges from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the white cliffs of Dover to the bustling metropolis of London, a world city with an unmatched literary history. Beyond the urban centers, rural England offers picturesque villages and landscapes immortalized by authors like Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. England has given the world many of its greatest literary minds, from Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf, and its modern literature explores contemporary issues like class, identity, and immigration.

My bookshelf is already full of books from England, and the toughest challenge here will most certainly be to limit myself. I hope to find some hidden gems or maybe dive into one of the classics I never read.

My list of recommendations from England

A Brief History of the British Isles

Before diving into the stories, I always do a bit of reading on the history of the region. And for the British Isles there are an abundance of rabbit holes to get lost in, so let’s just say I spent quite some time on Wikipedia for this one.

The British Isles have numerous ancient remains such as Stonehenge and Avebury. In the Iron Age, most of Britain was inhabited by the Celtic tribes, who have left their mark on myths, art and storytelling to this day. 

The Romans invaded in 55 BC, gradually establishing towns and infrastructure but never conquering the Scottish Highlands. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking influences shaped new kingdoms. The Norman Conquest in 1066 turned England into a major power, while Scotland and Wales fiercely maintained their distinct identities. Ireland resisted English dominance until the 16th century.

The 18th and 19th centuries brought the Act of Union, which formally united Scotland and England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the expansion of the British Empire with naval dominance establishing colonies across the Americas, Africa and Asia. 

Ireland was integrated into the United Kingdom in 1801, but struggled under centuries of economic disparity and religious divides between the Catholic Irish population and Protestant British rulers. By 1922, the Irish War of Independence had split the country in two, with Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK — a division that sowed the seeds of later period of conflict known as The Troubles (1968–1998).

The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century began in Britain and transformed the Isles with cities like Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham becoming industrial powerhouses, but also leading to overcrowded cities, social upheavals, political movements and women’s suffrage.

Both World Wars had a profound impact on the British Isles, reshaping economies, cities, and societies. After World War II, Britain faced the decline of its empire, with many colonies gaining independence, and the country became a destination for immigrants from former colonies, particularly from the Caribbean, South Asia, and Africa. The British Isles today are a vibrant mix of cultures shaped by centuries of migration, trade, and global influence, and cities like London, Birmingham, and Dublin are hubs of multiculturalism. This diversity is reflected in contemporary literature, with many authors exploring the blending of cultures.

Of course these changes have also brought challenges. Immigration debates have fueled political tensions, including the Brexit referendum, which highlighted concerns about national identity and border control. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland face their own unique questions about self-governance and representation within the UK, while England grapples with balancing its multicultural identity with rising nationalism.

Join me as I explore the British Isles!

Are you still with me? I personally very much enjoy getting lost in these historical explorations, but I do wonder if anyone is actually reading them.

But now let’s mentally jump onto that double decker bus. In the next five weeks I will explore the British Isles through their literature, curating lists of suggestions, and selecting one book from each of these five places to read and review myself. If you have a favorite book or author from the British Isles, I’d love to hear your recommendations! 

So grab a cozy blanket, a nice cup of tea (or whiskey if that’s more your style), and let’s explore the British Isles — one book at a time. Stay tuned for my first picks from Ireland, and let’s see where the stories will take us!