One of the joys of reading a novel is immersing yourself in a different world, whether it’s the verdant hills of Middle Earth, the magic around every corner at Hogwarts, the intrepid and dangerous seas aboard the Pequod, or spaceships and strange planets hitchhiking around the galaxy.
If you could pick one fictional world/setting/time period to live in, which one would it be?
Amitha Knight says
What a great question!
I'd love to live in a quaint English village with Miss Marple, (only without the murder…)
wendy says
Great imaginative question!
I'd love to live in another world reality. To tell the truth, there's no novel I know of where I'd like to live. However there's an old PC game called The Legend of Kyrandia where I sometimes wish I could be. The setting is a beautiful island, which is appears to be a combination of old english forest and tropical island. The characters are sweet and quirky, sometimes powerful and wise.
Wherever you go on the island, there's magic afoot whether it be found in the rocky mountain labyrinths lit by fireberries, the waterfall with magic blueberries growing alongside,or the ornate marble fountain with magic water, or in the magic cauldron owned by one of the Royal Mystics who lives alone in the forest where the other Royal Mystics also live. One has his own talking dragon who lies curled up in the main room, leaving only enough room for the mystic to sit at his desk writing spells onto scrolls.
Secret paths wind through vast forests of oak and pine and clumps of flowers, but where there's never a bramble bush in sight.
The main character, Brandon, lives inside one of these huge trees. He reaches the front door, high up in the tree, by means of a root elevator.
Sarah says
The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises! (And if I can choose a play instead of a novel, anything by Noel Coward). Pre-Depression fashion, wit, and gin π
Stephanie Barr says
Liaden Universe
Writer's Block says
This is an easy one. I would live in the great forests of Alba (and yes that is a real place, let's see how many people can figure out where it is). In this wonderful midevil place there would be plenty of Night Elves, fair folk and of course dwarves and trolls and wizards – Oh My! As I would be the only human in the forest, I am sure I would find myself in the midst of many a predicament as I would encounter such queer creatures on my quest to return safely to my human village.
Most of the beings I would meet would be fairly courteous as is the way of the wee folk, but as with any large group, there of course is a "mean girl" who invariably wants to hurt me because of my race and the fact that I have "the touch" and am also considered to be the "Chosen One" who will bring the human race and elfin race together in harmony.
But alas, I am destined to meet a fair elf that is both gallant and (dare I say it?) quite handsome, who naturally comes to my rescue and with all the bravery and power of the Gods, will defeat all my enemies and we will ride off into the mists and live happily ever after…or do we?
In case anyone was wondering, yes this is part of a query letter that I actually am planning to send to the illustrious Nathan Bransford, for I have chosen you to give me my first ever rejection letter. I am putting the last editorial touches to my latest completed novel and after much consideration decided that this seems the best place to lose my query virginity.
Happy Writing Everyone!
Amberlynn says
Neverwhere!
Crystal says
Wow, that's a real tough one! I think my choices are a three way tie. It's between The fantasy-themed ancient Japanese setting of the Tales of the Otori series, the magic, medieval world of the Song of the Lioness series, and of course a cliche, but always a favorite, The world of Wizards and Witches from Harry Potter. Though, my favorite has to be the Song of the Lioness series, because I love medieval settings π
Collier says
I'd live in the era between 1880 and 1920, with preferences for Holmes' London, San Francisco before the great earthquake, Chicago at the Columbian Exposition, or New York City.
Anonymous says
The Star Wars Galaxy … I wanna light saber!
Kate Evangelista says
In the Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare.
Empty Refrigerator says
Fun topic. "The Shipping News" for me.
Brian Moen says
I'd live in the wide open spaces of Birdwell Island. I would love to spend weeks on end hanging out and playing fetch and wrestling with Clifford the Big Red Dog.
chosekiei says
The whole universe created by Lovecraft. As horrible as it often is, it's complex and fascinating. I would love to discover it from the inside.
CindyLou Foster says
Lirael, because I would always be wishing for my own Disreputable Dog.
Ruth Donnelly says
One more vote for Hogwarts. Parts of Middle-Earth are appealing, too.
Denise of Ingleside says
I'm where i want to be, Prince Edward Island, but the era is Anne of Green Gables Little House on the Prairie era for sure π
OOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Scotland… Outlander Series *drool*
piscesmuse says
Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings, probably in the Rainwilds or aboard a liveship. I know she absolutely positively tortures her characters and her worlds go through some pretty tough upheaval's but man does she have an interesting world I would love to explore.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
No sidetracking. If you want to talk about whatever happens to be the biggest news of the day might I suggest the forums?
CMR says
I'm voting for the family: we go with Gillengaria of Sharon Shinn's The Twelve Houses series.
Personally, the world of Mary Poppins but only if I get to be one of her charges. π Although the idea of living in Thursday Next's world is highly intriguing.
Mel Skinner says
In Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." Specifically, I would like to live in King Haggard's kingdom, within sight of the castle.
Ellie says
It would definitely be Hogwarts or Middle Earth for me.
Terry Stonecrop says
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, by Douglas Adams.
Or, I'm with Ryan Field on this one, Breakfast at Tiffany's, by Truman Capote.
Although, the movie version with Audrey Hepburn, may have been a nicer place.
Maureen says
Hogwarts! A wand,a cape and a broom and I'm there.
Joshua Peacock says
Middle-Earth! I'm a hobbit (i'm only 5'8) but I would love to be a Gondorian or Rohirrim knight!!!
Claudie says
As much as I'd love most fantasy novels, I objectively wouldn't want to live in those conditions. Especially not on Westeros. *shudders*
So, I'll agree with the Hogwarts gang. π
Tracy says
I'd want to be one of Anne Rice's vampires. Sure they're emotionally torturous on each other and get themselves into the most dire situations. But they make suffering seem so sensual.
Cathi Stoler says
Ancient Rome. I love the Lindsey Davis novels. It all feels very familiar. Although it would definitely be better to be a noble woman/man in those times–one whom the Emperor Vespasian favors. Maybe I could be Marcus Didius Falco's assistant sleuth!
momtrolfreak says
Hogwarts, hands-down.
Aside from that, most of my favorites are set in places I'd never want to live: Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, for instance. Maybe Memoirs of A Geisha….
Jessica Peter says
For me, it's Middle Earth (possibly Gondor under Aragorn or in Rohan), Fionavar from Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry, or alternate Louisiana from Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series . . .
Jim Bessey says
This may be a bit pedestrian, but I would live in a house boat at Bahia Mar near John D MacDonald's Travis McGee. I may get there yet. Sure do miss the late John D and his stories.
KM says
I'd have to say somewhere in the Federation in a "Star Trek" novel. Guess that makes me a Trekie, but I'm not ashamed. π
If that didn't work, I'd hop on over to Hogwartz and force the sorting hat to put me in Ravenclaw.
Shannon Kay says
1. Narnia. I think I'd choose to live in the "golden age" of Narnia when the Pevensies reigned. Are you going to Narnia? Take me along with you! To meet the lion with the golden mane, to stare into his eyes of truth. I hear the ground is living gold, and you can drink diamonds, I've been told, in Narnia.
2. Anne of Green Gables era Avonlea. Alternately, Anne of the Island era Redmond College if I could be one of Anne's friends/housemates at Patty's Place.
3. I might like to be a fairy in the Artemis Fowl world. They get magic and technology!
4. Ballet Shoes. I'm enamored with those old-time British stage academies. Sure, I ended up a theatre major, but this "world" still seems amazing to me.
Anonymous says
i want to live in twilight's world.
Suzie F. says
Without a doubt, Hogwarts and The Burrow.
Tricia J. O'Brien says
For magic I'd go to Earthsea (or Hogwarts as so many have said). But for the possibilities I'd be Thursday Next and get to visit any bookworld that exists. That would be the ultimate.
Tambra says
Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter world. YUM!
Hugs,
Tambra
http://www.tambrakendall.com
http://www.keeliagreer.com
Lauren Johnson says
Jumper – that guy can teleport!
William says
Hogwarts or Landover. Landover is from Terry Brooks's Magic Kingdom for Sale series.
Peter Dudley says
The world of the pre-thneed Lorax.
Racer says
Kostcheiβs forest.
Sara says
first instinct had me saying Hogwarts.
After some thought I've decided on the world of Kelewan in the Empire Trilogy, by Raymond E. Fiest and Janny Wurts.
Linda says
Stick me between the covers of The Great Gatsby.
Dawn Maria says
I think it would have to be Rivendell from LOTR. A close second would be Egypt, the 1888 Egypt of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mystery series.
Ishta Mercurio says
Oh, tough one. Off the top of my head, I have to say I'd want to become a Twilight vampire. Immortality, never needing to sleep, superstrength, super hearing, maybe even another superpower unique to me, all the time in the world to learn languages and instruments and do DIY and write books and whatever else I wanted… Oh, yeah. I'd take the bite for sure.
If you asked me again in a few years I'd probably have a different answer, though. I have more that I want to do right now than I have time for, so my answer is more about where I am right now than anything else.
Jonathon Arntson says
The Lands Beyond from THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH.
Winter Hansen says
While Hogwarts and Middle Earth have a lot of appeal, I would still love to be in Michelle Paver's Ice Age world of the Ancient Darkness Chronicles (Wolf Brother, etc.). Amazing and magical.
Judith Van Alstyne says
Does it have to be fantasy/sci-fi? Because I would choose any place where George Eliot is writing. (But of course I'd wager it's the pre-industrial English country-side.) Man, I'd love to see how she would develop my character. I hope I live through it!
Lynn Mitchell says
definitely Narnia.
Jackie Brown says
The Garden of Eden. I don't much care for apples or for snakes.
Jolene says
Looks like you're still Twilight free here π
I need to be a hobbit, not to just join in the pack but seriously? First breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies…