
A Little Tour in France
by Henry James
'A Little Tour in France' Summary
James began his tour in Touraine, then journeyed southwest through Provence, and then north along the flooding Rhône River to Burgundy. The resulting book was a pleasant mix of art and architecture criticism, references to classic literature as well as guide-books and pamphlets, sharp observation of people and places, and knowledgeable discussion of French history and culture - all communicated in an easygoing, urbane, witty style.
James could never resist the piquant detail, like the chatty nun who guided him through Marmoutier Abbey or the tough soldiers quartered in the dismal old papal residence at Avignon. He was particularly interested in ancient cathedrals and castles, the less restored the better, though he hardly neglects present-day realities of shabby inns, talkative diners, uncomfortable train rides, and dreary museums. There's little attempt at generalization or abstract theorizing. James is usually content to describe what he saw as accurately as possible. He wrote in a letter of November 12, 1882, to Isabella Gardner: "I have seen more of France than I had ever seen before, and on the whole liked it better."
Book Details
Authors

Henry James
America, Britain
Henry James was born in New York City on April 15, 1843, into a wealthy and intellectually stimulating family. His father, Henry James Sr., was a Swedenborgian philosopher and his mother, Mary Roberts...
Books by Henry JamesDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

Arroyo by Élisée Reclus
This book is a poetic and philosophical exploration of the natural world, following the journey of a single stream as it flows through various landsca...

National Geographic Magazine Vol. 09 - 05. May 1898 by National Geographic Society
This book is a comprehensive overview of Cuba, published by the National Geographic Society in 1898. It includes articles on the island's geography, h...

Art of Fiction by Henry James
This book presents two significant pieces of literary criticism: a lecture by Walter Besant on the art of fiction and a response to that lecture by He...

Our Little Spanish Cousin by Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
This book, published in the early 1900s, aims to introduce American children to the customs and lifestyle of their Spanish 'cousins.' It provides a gl...

A Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and Historic Interests in Pennsylvania by Margaretta Archambault
The book covers a wide range of subjects, including colonial architecture, historic landmarks, and the state's vibrant artistic community. The author...

Birdseye Views of Far Lands by James T. Nichols
Birdseye Views of Far Lands is an interesting, wholesome presentation of something that a keen-eyed, alert traveler with the faculty of making contras...

Western United States by Harold W. Fairbanks
"In preparation of this book the author has had in mind the needs of the upper grammar grades. The subject matter has not been selected with the objec...

Greatest Wonders of the World by Esther Singleton
This book offers a captivating collection of travelogues penned by renowned explorers and authors including William Makepeace Thackeray, Charles Dicke...

National Geographic Magazine Vol. 10 - 04. April 1899 by National Geographic Society
This volume of the *National Geographic Magazine* from April 1899 features articles on various topics of geographical and scientific interest. It delv...

From Mud to Mufti: With Old Bill on all Fronts by Bruce Bairnsfather
"The trenches of the Western Front were no laughing matter, but Bruce Bairnsfather's cartoons of Old Bill brought a touch of humor to the horrors of w...
Reviews for A Little Tour in France
No reviews posted or approved, yet...