French Glimpses

Author: James, an American, translated by Pu Long
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-12-01
Features: In 1882, the author traveled to France for this trip. From north to south, he visited nearly forty places. His views on France were mixed, and he freely commented on these places with his own preferences and the style of a novelist. When the southern grapes were ripe, he couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the vineyards "dressed in the red of October." The Loire River "flowed grandly, full of grandeur, with wide and slow turns reflecting half the sky’s light," while he also devoted considerable space to describing "disgusting restaurants, museums filled with berries, churches that were not up to standard, and dull historical landmarks." Many notable sights might have been overlooked by him, yet on the other hand, "for a traveler sometimes proud of an endless flow of emotions, this mood was surprisingly casual." This is not surprising, as anything that reminded him of the scenery in England would capture his interest more. This book is not a travel guide and may not necessarily inspire wanderlust. It more focuses on showcasing the author’s style and technique, telling how one can express their feelings in a different cultural environment.