Reviews

This past December (2023), a life-long dream came true (after having to cancel a visit back in 2004 with my mom)- I got to visit the Alhambra! I went with my wife of 4 months on a whirlwind trip to Spain and Morrocco. We stayed at the Alhambra Palace hotel, just adjacent to the Alhambra itself with a beautiful view of downtown Granada from the room balcony...we had a lovely Egyptian tour guide named Ahmed and while I won't delve any further into my vacation - he told us about this famous fictional book of Tales...and though it's half fact, half fictional, I knew I had to have this piece of literary history and when we hit the official gift shop at the end of our lovely tour - I found a nice little English Translation and it was this lovely 175th anniversary edition that's so beautifully made.

I really loved the wonderment and fantasy that Irving created with these stories - and the prints of the sites that are interspersed throughout this volume is such an elegant touch that enhanced the experience of reading these stories. I'll admit, from page 231 til the end, at page 309, which i read tonight, i moved through it fast, so maybe one day, I'll go back and read a few of the latter tales, but the last few chapters, odes to the founder and then the final ruler to leave the Alhambra, as well as the author's own farewell, were very touching, indeed.

dogdaisy's review against another edition

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informative mysterious slow-paced

3.0

I have been trying to finish this book for years as I took part in an exchange programme and got to see the Alhambra in person. On completion of the programme, I was given this book by my exchange partner as a farewell gift. It is not the easiest read as the syntax is a bit convoluted. However, I am glad that I have finally finished it as the legends that Washington recounts add to my memories of the sense of magic it has and seeing it deepens my understanding of the folklore surrounding it. A nice accompaniment if you intend to see the Alhambra.

chughes120's review against another edition

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4.0

Very interesting to read after having visited Granada and the Alhambra.

dayseraph's review against another edition

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3.0

Hey, it took me over four years to finish this book! Some of it is great; some of it will make you put it aside for years at a time.

margyly's review against another edition

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4.0

A charming combination of travelogue, history, and fairy tales, I was it in a gift shop in the Alhambra last month and this was the same old-fashioned edition that they were selling.

noellita234's review against another edition

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2.0

Get a pretty version and read a little at a time and this would be fine. Don’t read it at 1.5x on audio. (The writing could have also been better)

swarley's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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