
Italian Hours
by Henry James
'Italian Hours' Summary
Italian Hours ends with the phrase, "the luxury of loving Italy," and everything in the book indicates that James enjoyed this luxury to the fullest. But he was by no means a blind lover. His opening essay on Venice, for instance, doesn't gloss over the sad conditions of life for the city's people: "Their habitations are decayed; their taxes heavy; their pockets light; their opportunities few."
Still, James goes on to sketch enough of the beauty of Venice to make it seem a fair compensation. Throughout the book he constantly comes back to the beauty and amenity of Italian life, despite the all too frequent material shortcomings. Venice and Rome get the most extended treatment, but James doesn't neglect the rest of the country. His Roman essays, though, show the strongest touch of his own experiences, especially his long rides on horseback through the Campagna and his many walks through various neighborhoods in the city.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1909Authors

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

The Romance of Missionary Heroism by John Lambert
The title page gives this book the subtitle, “True stories of the intrepid bravery and stirring adventures of missionaries with uncivilized man, wild...

Rambles in New Zealand by John Carne Bidwill
In this, Bidwill shares his experiences of exploring the country's vast wilderness, including the rugged mountains, dense forests, and pristine rivers...

South-Sea Idyls by Charles Warren Stoddard
The American Charles Warren Stoddard (1843–1909) wrote quite popular travel books, especially those about Polynesia. South-Sea Idyls (1873) was his mo...

A Little Swiss Sojourn by William Dean Howells
A charming brief account of a two months' autumnal stay on the shores of the Lake of Geneva. Howells, who was there with his family traveling from Eng...

How the "Mastiffs" Went to Iceland by Anthony Trollope
A 19th-century travelogue that recounts the author's experiences on a voyage to Iceland aboard the ship Mastiff. The book provides detailed descriptio...

Billy Whiskers' Travels by Frances Trego Montgomery
Running away from home is always bound to lead to adventures, some surprising and good and some not so pleasant. Follow Billy Whiskers when he encount...

Venetian Life by William Dean Howells
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Venetian Life, as William Dean Howells invites you to explore the captivating secrets and vibrant culture...

National Geographic Magazine Vol. 10 - 01. January 1899 by National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Magazine is an illustrated monthly magazine published by the National Geographic Society. It has been published continuously s...

An Excursion to the Lakes in Westmoreland and Cumberland, August 1773 by William Hutchinson
In 1773, William Hutchinson set out on a journey to the Lake District of England, a region renowned for its stunning scenery and rich history. His acc...

National Geographic Magazine Vol. 09 - 12. December 1898 by National Geographic Society
This volume of the National Geographic Magazine from December 1898 offers a diverse collection of articles exploring various geographical and cultural...
Reviews for Italian Hours
No reviews posted or approved, yet...