Book Review: Travels through France and Italy by Tobias Smollett
Another travel narrative! After this one I have one left, and I plan to literally never read one for the next five years. Mainly because unless the writer has something interesting to say, I lose interest pretty fast. Here we go! ♡
There are certain mortifying views of human nature, which undoubtedly ought to be concealed as much as possible, in order to prevent giving offence: and nothing can be more absurd, than to plead the difference of custom in different countries, in defence of those usages which cannot fail giving disgust to the organs and senses of all mankind.
— i.
The truth is, I considered all the letters I have hitherto written on the subject of my travels, as written to your society in general, though they have been addressed to one individual of it; and if they contain any thing that can either amuse or inform, I desire that henceforth all I send may be freely perused by all the members.
So I’m going to try to make this review as short as possible. Tobias Smollett wrote letters documenting his travels through France and Italy (pretty self explanatory from the title). He begins travelling with his wife and a few others, rebounding after losing their child.
— ii.
There are some knavish practices of this kind, at which a traveller will do well to shut his eyes, for his own ease and convenience.
I don’t have much to say about this book. Nothing against Tobias Smollett, but I’m just not a fan of the way he documents his travelling. He’s just so boring. The majority of his letters are just him describing various tourist sites and other things he encounters. Sometimes he discussed French or Italian customs, and often compared them to British customs. But even that wasn’t super interesting—it’s like he’s presenting something, but reading from all of his notes without bothering to look up. It was so technical. He didn’t interpret much from his sightseeing and observations. He literally just observed. Like, thanks Smollett, we could probably do that if we went to France or Italy, and now, we can do it through Google.
— iii.
Should a man be never so well inclined to make atonement in a peaceable manner, for an insult given in the heat of passion, or in the fury of intoxication, it cannot be received. Even an involuntary trespass from ignorance, or absence of mind, must be cleansed with blood.
Despite all that, he isn’t a bad writer. I just wish he was a little more creative or perceptive when writing his letters. I think, especially in nonfiction travel narratives, you have to be, otherwise you could so easily lose your audience.
But he did make some interesting conclusions, and as I said, he is a good writer. That’s definitely why I didn’t hate the book in the end, but it’s not like I can give it such a high rating, either.
— iv.
I do not pretend to give a methodical detail of the curiosities of Rome: they have been already described by different authors, who were much better qualified than I am for the task: but you shall have what observations I made on the most remarkable objects, without method, just as they occur to my remembrance; and I protest the remarks are all my own: so that if they deserve any commendation, I claim all the merit; and if they are impertinent, I must be contented to bear all the blame.
Overall, Tobias Smollett is a good writer, but the way he documents his travels puts me to sleep. Obviously he’s been dead now for hundreds of years, but if he were alive, I’d definitely tell him to liven up a little. He can make all these observations and still get creative with them. Like, please dude. You have a talent for writing. USE IT.
What’s a boring book (fiction or nonfiction) you’ve read? If you read Travels Through France and Italy, what did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Rating: ★★ | GoodReads
