Patagonia Pre-Trip Reading List
We hope our Patagonia reading list helps prepare you for the adventures ahead by connecting you with Patagonia’s unique landscapes, people and culture. Whether you prefer immersive story telling, historical narratives or visual inspiration we hope you find something here that suits you.
Non-Fiction
- In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
A classic travelogue that captures the mystique and allure of Patagonia through vivid storytelling and history. - Patagonia: A Cultural History by Chris Moss
A deep dive into Patagonia’s culture, history and geography offering insights into its unique identity. - The Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux
A fascinating travelogue that chronicles the author’s journey by train from Boston to the southern tip of Patagonia, written with Theroux’s typical sharp observations and wit. - Enduring Patagonia by Gregory Crouch
A gripping account of the author’s personal climbing expeditions and survival in the harsh Patagonian wilderness. - The Whispering Land by Gerald Durrell
A charming and humorous account of Durrell’s wildlife expedition through Argentina including his time in the windswept landscapes of Patagonia. - Patagonia: At the Edge of the World by Larry Hobbs
A richly illustrated exploration of Patagonia’s landscapes, wildlife and conservation efforts offering a vivid preview of Patagonia’s remote beauty. - Patagonia, La Ultima Esperanza by Mary Heebner
An inspiring pictorial journey through Patagonia that seems to encapsulate our travel ethos of introducing visitors to the magical hidden corners of Patagonia as well as the better known areas. - The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin
A classic account of Darwin’s groundbreaking odyssey around the world including his explorations of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and the resulting scientific observations - Chile: Travels In a Thin Country by Sarah Wheeler
A witty and insightful travel memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from Chile’s arid northern tip to its ice-filled south. - Patagonia Wild and Free by William H Greenwood
A collection of first hand accounts by the author, an early European settler who made his home in Patagonia in 1875. - Across Patagonia by Lady Florence Dixie
This remarkable travelogue recounts the author’s 1879 horseback journey through the rugged landscapes of Patagonia. As one of the earliest female explorers of the region, Dixie offers vivid descriptions and insights into the Tehuelche people, the land and her personal experiences. - Mischief in Patagonia by H W Tilman
An extraordinary account of the author’s daring 1953 navigation of the Patagonian waterways in a 45 foot pilot cutter named Mischief covering 20,000 nautical miles. Known for his dry wit and self-deprecating style, Tilman tells an inspiring tale of exploration and perseverance. - The Wager by David Grann
A gripping true life adventure about a British naval ship, The Wager, that was shipwrecked off the coast of Patagonia in the 18th century. A harrowing tale of survival and resilience Grann brings this forgotten tale to life. - The Uttermost Part of the Earth by Ewan McDonald
A historical exploration of the isolated territories of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Tracing the footsteps of indigenous peoples, missionaries and the early explorers McDonald examines the cultural and historical forces that shaped Patagonia. - The Big Open: On Foot across the Patagonian Steppe by Jonathan Ellis
A compelling narrative about the author’s solo trek across Patagonia in the years leading up to the book’s publication in 2013. A vivid and personal account of the challenges and beauty of the region. - The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara
While Patagonia is not the central focus of this memoir of Guevara’s 1951-52 motorcycle journey across South America, they pass through the southern regions including Patagonia and reflect on the hardships and people encountered along the way. - This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson
An engaging historical novel that tells the story of the British explorer Robert Fitzroy best known for his role as captain of the HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin’s famous voyage. The novel explores the author’s personal struggles, his complex character and his relationship with Darwin. - Enchanted Vagabonds by Dana Lamb
A travel memoir that recounts the author and her husband’s journey through south America after their departure from California in 1933. The book is a blend of travel writing and personal reflection, it reflects the wanderlust spirit of the time and the sense of freedom and exploration that characterised the era. - Desert Memories: Journeys Through the Chilean North by Ariel Dorfman
While focusing on the north, particularly the Atacama Desert, this book provides poetic insight into Chilean landscapes and people with themes such as memory, exile and Chile’s turbulent past.
Fiction
- The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
A multi-generational Chilean epic blending magical realism with historical events. - The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares
A mysterious and haunting novel set in an isolated island landscape reminiscent of Patagonia. - The Wind from Patagonia by Sylvia Iparraguirre
A historical novel about the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy’s time in Patagonia that blends historical facts with fiction exploring the lives of these famous outlaws as they sought refuge in Argentina. - Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
A modern novel exploring themes of migration, identity and adventure. While not set in Patagonia, it blends elements of magical realism with the pursuit of hope and belonging and can provide valuable context for those interested in latin American narratives. - My Invented Country by Isabel Allende
A deeply personal and emotional account of Chile’s complex history intertwining the author’s own experiences with the country’s political upheavals, especially during the era of dictatorship.
Poetry
- Selected Poems by Pablo Neruda
Featuring his love for Chile’s landscapes, including Patagonia, Neruda’s poetry is a must-read for its lyrical beauty and deep connection to nature. - The Heights of Macchu Picchu by Pablo Neruda
Though about Peru, this epic poem evokes the majesty and spiritual connection to South America’s landscapes. - The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems
A bilingual collection that offers a glimpse into Neruda’s reflections on love, nature and the Chilean spirit. - The Poems of the Late T’ang by various Chinese poets, translated by A.C. Graham
With its themes of solitude, the natural world and the fleeting nature of life these poems may resonate with visitors to Patagonia’s vast and solitary landscapes.