Hi! I like to read fiction related to the countries I travel to, and I’m heading to Germany this summer. I’m really hoping to find fiction set in Germany that leans toward historical fiction, romantic fantasy, or stories with folklore elements. I don’t mind if it’s historical or contemporary, but I prefer something immersive and atmospheric—bonus points if it’s grounded in real cultural or historical details (even if it has fantasy or magical elements).
To give a better sense of what I’m looking for:
-
I tend to gravitate toward fiction, especially historical romance or fantasy, though I do appreciate when it includes accurate history or references to real myths/folklore.
-
I’ve already read a lot of WWII historical fiction, so I’m not really looking for more of that right now unless it’s specifically tied to one of the places I’m going.
-
I’d love anything inspired by German folklore or fairy tales—but I’m not necessarily looking for a copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. More like inspired by or original fiction that draws on those vibes or settings.
For context, I’m American and will be visiting:
-
Munich and the surrounding Bavaria region
-
The Romantic Road (Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, etc.)
-
Würzburg, Bamberg, and Frankfurt
So if you know of anything set in these areas—or just generally has a strong “German feeling” to it—I’d love your recs! I always do this kind of themed reading before international trips, and Germany is proving surprisingly tricky to find good matches for. Any help is appreciated!
by Choice-Scar-9635