A Romantic in Spain (Classic Travel Writing)
A well-known 19th-century French journalist and writer, Gautier  began his career as an artist, which explains the unusual depth  of visual detail and color in his writing. If you think that a  150-year-old travelog might be dated, think again. In this  latest installment in Interlink's "Lost and Found" series,  originally published in French in 1845, Gautier doesn't dilute  his strong opinions about his experiences, both positive and  negative. Clearly, he doesn't write to satisfy a tourist office  but instead to give his own lively reactions to Spain, which at  the time was relatively unknown to the rest of the world. The  depth of description of the Escorial (Philip II's last palace)  would put many contemporary travel writers to shame. And  Gautier's account of the perils of carriage travel, country  inns, and local cooking show us what modern tourists are missing  as they travel across Spain today. Still, this is not merely a  primer: experienced travelers to Spain will learn many new  details about Spanish history, art, architecture, customs, and  folklore. This special time capsule of Spain as seen through the  eyes of one gifted writer is highly recommended for European  travel as well as literature collections. Olga B. Wise, Compaq  Computer Corp., Austin, TXCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.