Description
On Travel as Art
Book Summary
This anthology brings together the most revealing travel writings of Edith Wharton, one of the great figures of American literature. Far from conventional guidebooks, Wharton transforms travel into an aesthetic and intellectual experience, combining a sharp gaze with profound erudition. The reader will discover her impressions of Italy, France, Spain, and Morocco, as well as her fascination with the road and the freedom provided by the automobile. A work that invites us to explore the world through the eyes of an exceptional writer.
What is it about?
This work compiles a selection of travel chronicles written by Edith Wharton throughout her life. The author, a pioneer in the use of the automobile to explore Europe, offers a unique perspective that combines the pleasure of discovery with a keen critical sense. The texts range from her journeys through Italy and France, where she displays her vast artistic knowledge, to her incursions into Spain, a country that captivated her from childhood. Particularly noteworthy are her observations on Morocco, where she applies a feminine and lucid gaze to denounce the reality of harems. The anthology also includes fragments from her travel diaries, a testament to her genuine attraction to our country and her unfinished project to write a book about Spain.
Main themes
- Travel as an aesthetic and intellectual experience.
- The freedom provided by the automobile to explore alternative routes.
- Artistic and historical erudition applied to the description of landscapes and cities.
- A critical and feminine view of customs and the status of women in other cultures.
- The fascination with Spain and its cultural richness.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in travel literature with a literary and cultural focus, as well as admirers of Edith Wharton's work who wish to discover a lesser-known facet of her writing. It will also be of great interest to those seeking a feminine and cosmopolitan perspective on Europe and North Africa at the beginning of the 20th century, and to lovers of narratives that combine acute observation with elegant prose.
What this book offers
- An anthology of travel texts by one of the great American writers, many of them hard to access.
- A unique and cultured look at classic destinations such as Italy, France, Spain, and Morocco.
- The opportunity to discover Wharton's passion for the road and the automobile as a tool for exploration.
- A testament to her fascination with Spain, with texts and diaries from her routes through the country.
- A critical and feminine perspective on the social realities of the early 20th century.
Technical specifications
- Author: Wharton, Edith; Gómez Reus, Teresa
- Publisher: la Línea del Horizonte Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CLASSIC FICTION, TRAVEL LITERATURE
- Collection: FUERA DE SI CONTEMPORANEOS
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: June 2016
- Number of pages: 256
- Weight: 269 g
Editorial review
This anthology constitutes a valuable contribution for readers who wish to explore the travel facet of Edith Wharton, beyond her celebrated novels. The selection by Professor Teresa Gómez Reus allows the reader to appreciate the acuteness, erudition, and joy with which the author approached new horizons. It is a work that combines literary pleasure with cultural discovery, offering an original and rarely traveled perspective on classic destinations. A book recommended both for followers of Wharton and for lovers of substantive travel literature.