Travels through France and Italy

Nonfiction, Travel, Europe, Italy, France
Cover of the book Travels through France and Italy by Tobias Smollett, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tobias Smollett ISBN: 9780857731593
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: June 30, 2010
Imprint: Tauris Parke Paperbacks Language: English
Author: Tobias Smollett
ISBN: 9780857731593
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: June 30, 2010
Imprint: Tauris Parke Paperbacks
Language: English

In 1763 Tobias Smollett set sail from Folkestone to Boulogne. He would not return to England for two years, during which time he travelled extensively - and in a notoriously ill-tempered fashion - through much of France and Italy. Smollett, seemed 'determined to be pleased with nothing' and was 'sardonic, satirical and decidedly gloomy'. In Paris, everything had 'shrunk' and was twice as expensive as his last visit. Versailles was a 'dismal habitation'. In Rome, he felt that Michelangelo's Last Judgement resembled a mob; his inn in San Remo was more miserable than the worst ale-house in England and in Lerici he was sure he would be poisoned. And yet, there were places where even Smollett could not fail to be captivated. The Maison Carrée in Nimes was 'ravishingly beautiful', Nice was enchanting and the port of Genoa 'dazzling'. His obvious pleasure in the landscapes through which he passed, his keen eye for colourful, telling details and the fact that his letters appear virtually as they were written beautifully illuminate both Smollett's character and the places he visited. Funny, honest and full of subtle magic, Travels through France and Italy is a rare and revealing portrait of 18th century Europe at a time when Marie Antoinette had just become queen of all France, the Grand Tour was in its infancy and Cannes was a quiet fishing village.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1763 Tobias Smollett set sail from Folkestone to Boulogne. He would not return to England for two years, during which time he travelled extensively - and in a notoriously ill-tempered fashion - through much of France and Italy. Smollett, seemed 'determined to be pleased with nothing' and was 'sardonic, satirical and decidedly gloomy'. In Paris, everything had 'shrunk' and was twice as expensive as his last visit. Versailles was a 'dismal habitation'. In Rome, he felt that Michelangelo's Last Judgement resembled a mob; his inn in San Remo was more miserable than the worst ale-house in England and in Lerici he was sure he would be poisoned. And yet, there were places where even Smollett could not fail to be captivated. The Maison Carrée in Nimes was 'ravishingly beautiful', Nice was enchanting and the port of Genoa 'dazzling'. His obvious pleasure in the landscapes through which he passed, his keen eye for colourful, telling details and the fact that his letters appear virtually as they were written beautifully illuminate both Smollett's character and the places he visited. Funny, honest and full of subtle magic, Travels through France and Italy is a rare and revealing portrait of 18th century Europe at a time when Marie Antoinette had just become queen of all France, the Grand Tour was in its infancy and Cannes was a quiet fishing village.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book The 1960s by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book Shakespeare on the Record by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book English Castles 1200–1300 by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The Year We Disappeared by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The 1950s Kitchen by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The Memory Key by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book Ruby Finds a Worry by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The M1903 Springfield Rifle by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The Strange Case of the Composer and His Judge by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book What Would Keith Richards Do? by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book Management from the Masters by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book So High a Blood by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book British Theatre Companies: 1980-1994 by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The Episode At Toledo by Tobias Smollett
Cover of the book The Rending and the Nest by Tobias Smollett
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy