Enter five astonishing realms through these timeless classic fantasy books. These quintessential works of literature will enrich your outlook on life and inspire your next study adventure!
Have you ever longed to travel to far-flung worlds without leaving your bed? Well, books can act as a passport to these adventures of the mind! Just as a study abroad trip can open your eyes to new cultures, these classics books can whisk you away to incredible universes, sparking your imagination and broadening your horizons.
Join us as we journey through five literary worlds that will leave you breathless—and who knows, they might even inspire your next real-world adventure!
Contents
1 – The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
It’s said that many fantasy books nowadays are inspired by this cult classic.
Imagine wandering beneath the lofty mallorn trees of Lothlórien or venturing into the shadowy depths of Moria’s mines. The Lord of the Rings is an entire universe complete with its own languages, cultures and meticulously mapped geography. What began as a simple sequel to The Hobbit turned into an epic saga that has captured readers’ imaginations across generations. It’s a classic for a reason!
One of the most fascinating aspects of The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien’s vision of Middle-earth not as some alien planet or parallel dimension, but as our own world in a mythical past.
Why it will leave you awestruck
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A philologist by trade, Tolkien crafted over fifteen Elvish dialects for this saga. Some, like Quenya, possess fully-developed grammar and thousands of words.
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Middle-earth is charted so precisely you could almost use its maps as a travel guide. Immersing yourself in its topography and cultures can feel as educational as exploring a foreign land.
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Since its first publication in the 1950s, The Lord of the Rings has been translated into at least thirty-eight languages, a testament to its universal appeal.
2 – 1984 by George Orwell
Welcome to a world where “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.” In Orwell’s 1984, you’re thrust into a society overseen by Big Brother, where every thought is monitored and truth malleable as clay.
Our protagonist, Winston Smith, lives in a version Britain that’s been transformed into Oceania’s capital—a super-state embroiled in ceaseless war. Amid the drab drudgery, Winston discovers a ray of hope in Julia. Their clandestine love affair is thrilling, perilous and potentially life-changing. But in a realm where “Big Brother is Watching You,” how long can their rebellion endure?
Winston’s journey through doubt, rebellion, and eventual forced conformity is a powerful reminder of the importance of critical thinking. 1984 challenges you to examine the world around you more deeply. It makes you value the freedom to travel, study, and form your own opinions. At the same time, it reminds you just how vital it is to protect those freedoms.
Why it will send shivers down your spine
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Envision your smartphone not merely displaying content, but spying on you twenty-four-seven. In Oceania, telescreens do just that—forcing you to consider today’s technological intrusions.
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Orwell invented Newspeak, a language designed to restrict thought. Imagine attempting to articulate complex ideas with an extremely limited vocabulary—it’s like writing an essay using only emojis!
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Winston’s job at the Ministry of Truth involves continually rewriting historical records, much like editing your past social-media posts to make yourself appear always right.
3 – The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Open this book and prepare to hop from one tiny planet to another, each scarcely larger than a house, in the company of a golden-haired prince. The Little Prince is both a voyage across the universe and a journey into the human heart, prompting reflections on friendship, love and the meaning of life.
A pilot crashes in the Sahara with scant provisions and a broken aeroplane. Just as all hope seems lost, he meets a blond boy who asks him to draw… a sheep! Thus begins one of literature’s most extraordinary adventures.
On his journey, the Little Prince meets bizarre characters on different planets: a king with no subjects, a businessman who counts stars believing he owns them, a geographer who’s never explored his own planet.
One of the most meaningful encounters the Little Prince has is with a fox on Earth. The fox teaches him that “what is essential is invisible to the eye” and that it is the time you dedicate to someone or something that makes it special. This lesson is precious: it’s the connections you make and the experiences you live that make a place truly special to you.
Why it will make you dream:
- The Little Prince comes from an asteroid so small that you could walk all the way around it in just a few steps. On his planet, he cares for a rose — the only one of its kind.
- Every planet visited offers a deep yet simple life lesson. It’s like a philosophy course in small doses — perfect for sparking reflection during your travels!
- Saint-Exupéry’s original illustrations add a layer of magic and poetry to the text: they capture the essence of a moment in a way that words alone sometimes can’t.
4 – Dune by Frank Herbert
Arrakis is a desert world where water is more precious than gold and colossal sandworms reign supreme. Dune is science fiction at its most epic, blending politics, religion, ecology and philosophy into a head-spinning cocktail.
Dune by Frank Herbert lands you in the year 10,191, in a universe where humanity has colonised countless planets. Paul Atreides must learn foreign tongues, adapt to a hostile environment and navigate an alien culture to survive.
Living on Arrakis requires extreme adaptability. Here, the Fremen teach him that survival in a hostile environment depends on flexibility and respect for the local ecosystem.
Why it will take your breath away:
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Herbert created such a complex and believable ecosystem that scientists study it as a model of world-building.
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Melange, the spice: this drug, which extends life and grants psychic powers, is at the heart of interstellar political intrigue.
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The power struggles between the Great Noble Houses are like a futuristic, interplanetary version of Game of Thrones. Who wouldn’t want to study political science when the stakes are the control of the entire universe?
5 – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Get ready to tumble down the rabbit hole and enter a world where logic goes on holiday and nonsense reigns supreme! Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a journey that challenges your sense of reality and helps you see the world with fresh eyes.
One day, Alice is peacefully reading a book by the riverbank when suddenly, she finds herself chasing a waistcoat-wearing white rabbit into an underground world full of bizarre creatures and absurd situations.
Alice is curious, adaptable, and always up for a challenge. She faces each new absurdity with a mix of bewilderment and determination. Throughout her adventure, Alice changes size multiple times — growing and shrinking depending on what she eats or drinks. In a world where nothing makes sense, she learns to embrace the strange but still manages to stay true to herself.
Why it’ll make your head spin:
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From the Mad Hatter to the Cheshire Cat, every character Alice meets offers her a new way of looking at the world — each one making her question everything she thought she knew.
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In Wonderland, ordinary logic doesn’t apply. It’s a bit like encountering cultural traditions that seem completely illogical at first glance, but make perfect sense once you understand the context.
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Did you know that many of the riddles in the book are actually disguised mathematical puzzles? Carroll was a mathematician, and he hid complex ideas in seemingly nonsensical scenarios.
Books as Portals to New Worlds
These five classic fantasy books are the key to entire universes, each one as enriching as any real-life journey. Reading them can spark the curiosity and open-mindedness that make personal growth so rewarding.
Books expose us to fresh ideas, cultures and ways of thinking. And who knows? The Lord of the Rings might inspire you to study completely new languages, while Dune could ignite a passion for environmental science in Australia.
Above all, keep your curiosity alive and your thirst for learning unquenchable. That is the key to expanding your mind and learning a new language on your study abroad holiday.
