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A review by spyralnode
Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
'Pictures from Italy' is Dickens' travel log while on break from his usual, published, fiction writing. He decided to take a year off and explore Italy, by way of France and Switzerland, which each chapter describing a different region.
In particular, Liguria spoke to me, as it also did in real life! "There is nothing in Italy,t more beautiful to me, than the coast-road between Genoa and Spezzia. On one side: sometimes far below, sometimes nearly on a level with the road, and often skirted by broken rocks of many shapes: there is the free blue sea, with here and there a picturesque felucca gliding slowly on; on the other side are lofty hills, ravines besprinkled with white cottages, patches of dark olive woods, country churches with their light open towers, and country houses gaily painted."
But as you may have noticed here, the book is essentially, 'pictures'. It doesn't go far beyond the image, there is no experience, history or culture, and while I knew the title, I also imagined a travel journal containing more of what this travel meant to Dickens. I get no sense of what he learned, how he grew, what unique things he lived in Italy. The walk through the novel is purely description-based, and these descriptions target bigger land or cityscapes, rather than specific sites or buildings. This makes it feel somewhat unanchored, blending the regions into each other rather than managing to give them a unique personality, particularly with smaller towns that may not be home to wonders of the world like the Tower of Pisa or the Coliseum.
Overall, while it was a pleasant read, it didn't feel special, and in fact went borderline generic and superficial. I also think it had too many theatrics, exclamations, and even some imitations of what a carriage on road might sound like which was a bit too silly and misplaced. I can't help but think that Dickens only glanced, without seeing and feeling the whole spirit of Italy. The only sense that is employed here is sight, and that is such a shame.
Note: If you're reading this Penguin Classics edition please skip the intro. It literally just picks some quotes and binds them with filler words, it will add nothing to your knowledge and context.
In particular, Liguria spoke to me, as it also did in real life! "There is nothing in Italy,t more beautiful to me, than the coast-road between Genoa and Spezzia. On one side: sometimes far below, sometimes nearly on a level with the road, and often skirted by broken rocks of many shapes: there is the free blue sea, with here and there a picturesque felucca gliding slowly on; on the other side are lofty hills, ravines besprinkled with white cottages, patches of dark olive woods, country churches with their light open towers, and country houses gaily painted."
But as you may have noticed here, the book is essentially, 'pictures'. It doesn't go far beyond the image, there is no experience, history or culture, and while I knew the title, I also imagined a travel journal containing more of what this travel meant to Dickens. I get no sense of what he learned, how he grew, what unique things he lived in Italy. The walk through the novel is purely description-based, and these descriptions target bigger land or cityscapes, rather than specific sites or buildings. This makes it feel somewhat unanchored, blending the regions into each other rather than managing to give them a unique personality, particularly with smaller towns that may not be home to wonders of the world like the Tower of Pisa or the Coliseum.
Overall, while it was a pleasant read, it didn't feel special, and in fact went borderline generic and superficial. I also think it had too many theatrics, exclamations, and even some imitations of what a carriage on road might sound like which was a bit too silly and misplaced. I can't help but think that Dickens only glanced, without seeing and feeling the whole spirit of Italy. The only sense that is employed here is sight, and that is such a shame.
Note: If you're reading this Penguin Classics edition please skip the intro. It literally just picks some quotes and binds them with filler words, it will add nothing to your knowledge and context.