Tag: Storytelling

The fingers of a woman opening an old book as the sun shines on its pages.

Ripping Yarns

January 28, 2022

Some readers might be familiar with the term that heads this post but for those who aren’t, a ripping yarn is a colloquial way of referring to an exciting story or thrilling tale. It is seldom heard these days in conversation and is almost never used to describe works of nonfiction. It comes with a certain nuance of unbelievability, and indeed many of the stories to which it can be correctly applied contain elements of the fantastical. Usually filled with danger and set in either real or imagined exotic locales, these stories often involve investigating mysteries or embarking upon a quest of some sort. Although some modern novels can certainly be placed under the shade of the term’s lexical umbrella, it is more commonly bestowed upon older examples of escapist adventure writing, including those that belong to the lost world literary genre. Below we take a brief look at two lesser-known ripping yarns involving lost cities or hidden worlds. … More Ripping Yarns

The ocean, an iceberg, rocky headland, and a snow-covered mountain.

Frozen Realms

December 27, 2021

Fierce winds, extreme cold, and terrain with uncompromising hostility are a few of the characteristics of Earth’s frozen realms. Whether at sea level among the icebergs of the world’s emptiest continent or thousands of metres up the sky-scraping peaks of our planet’s highest mountain range, the bitterness of conditions that can be found in lands of snow and ice are unrivalled. Despite this there are still some brave souls who are prepared to venture forward in pursuit of something special, be it a personal goal, a scientific objective, or a divine destiny. This article considers two superb books about two uncommon men who engaged in feats of such immense challenge it beggars belief. Although the stories took place several decades apart and under very different circumstances, once known neither is easily forgotten. The men featured in them were not only inspiring leaders of others but also complete masters of themselves. … More Frozen Realms

A single tree on the African plains in front of a dramatic orange sunset.

African Adventures

November 30, 2021

Africa is the second biggest continent on the planet and home to an almost incomprehensible number of wonders. It has played host to some of the most time-honoured civilizations in history and is reputed to have been the birthplace of modern humans. However, until a relatively short time ago it was often thought of as a mysterious and largely unknown part of the world. Foreign explorers and geographers argued with each other about what may lie at its heart and a multitude of expeditions were launched to uncover whatever secrets their leaders imagined existed. Sadly, Africa has also been victim to some of the most heinous crimes and human rights abuses that we have ever inflicted on each other. Colonialism, genocide, and slavery have wreaked havoc on the continent over the centuries. Without any doubt, it is the people of Africa that have always had the worst of it, but others have suffered too. … More African Adventures

A male explorer with a backpack heading into the deep jungle.

The Call of the Jungle

October 31, 2021

Jungles are some of the wildest and most remote places on the planet. Dense and often impenetrable, they are perfect hiding places. They have lured many an explorer or adventurer into their lethal green embrace, whether it be the with the possibility of discovering new species or the promise of finding abandoned ruins. The lucky ones make it out alive but others are never seen or heard from again. The big green hell contains a mind-boggling number of challenges and hazards. The terrain can be so difficult to traverse that progress is agonizingly slow and tropical downpours can completely alter the landscape, making navigation even tougher. Then there is the wildlife; big cats stalk their prey through the undergrowth while insects infect their victims with bacteria and disease. To be prepared to take on all that one has to be incredibly brave or somewhat stupid. Either way, there are many who have. … More The Call of the Jungle

A Buddhist statue sat in prayer on a snow-covered mountainside.

Mountain Temples & Snow Monsters

April 25, 2021

In approximately three months Tokyo is set to host the Olympic Games. The run-up to the huge global event, which was originally supposed to take place in 2020, has been fraught with difficulties. Despite ongoing uncertainty and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time of writing it seems that the games will be held—albeit without foreign spectators. This has left many people feeling disappointed. Some international tourists who purchased tickets likely planned to combine their sport viewing with travel outside the concrete megalopolis of Japan’s capital to experience more of the country. That is now impossible. Japan offers some unique travel experiences and stunning environments. As veterans of exploring lesser-known areas of the country we wanted to share a few off-the-beaten-path adventures that may provide readers with a small amount of consolation. … More Mountain Temples & Snow Monsters

Open pages of a large book highlighted by a shaft of light representing wisdom, knowledge, learning, and enlightenment.

Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories

February 28, 2021

The need for escapism has been a constant throughout all ages of recorded human history. Adventure stories cater to this by serving as vehicles that allow us to make enjoyable mental forays into the mysterious and exciting unknown. Some of the oldest myths and folk tales we are aware of have been passed down over centuries, or in some cases millennia. One can imagine the children of Ancient Egypt listening to elders recount the myth of Osiris, or gazing at the stars while attempting to trace the sun god Ra making his perilous nightly journey through the realm of the dead. Who hasn’t heard of Homer’s epic Greek adventure poem The Odyssey, such a significant piece of storytelling that it can still be found in book stores throughout the world today. There are many more surviving examples from antiquity that have endured in one form or another. … More Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories