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A review by kikithelibrarian
Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres by Henry Adams
2.0
Adams wrote this book for the pleasure of his nieces. I am not one of his nieces. No pleasure was had, except in that I tried to read it in the voice of Neil Gaiman, which helped.
I first came across this book when I read The Last American Aristocrat: The Brilliant Life and Improbable Education of Henry Adams by David S. Brown, and his treatment of Henry Adams was very interesting and fairly examined the man in his time and place. Unfortunately, Adams's casual slights against Jews has the effect of jolting the reader out of the meditative journey through this Medieval world that Adams is attempting to paint for us. It probably didn't jolt early 20th century readers, but it does ruin the experience for me.
However, I am very interested in travelling to see Mont Saint Michel and Chartres myself one day and this book illuminated what is so special about this Medieval landmark.
I first came across this book when I read The Last American Aristocrat: The Brilliant Life and Improbable Education of Henry Adams by David S. Brown, and his treatment of Henry Adams was very interesting and fairly examined the man in his time and place. Unfortunately, Adams's casual slights against Jews has the effect of jolting the reader out of the meditative journey through this Medieval world that Adams is attempting to paint for us. It probably didn't jolt early 20th century readers, but it does ruin the experience for me.
However, I am very interested in travelling to see Mont Saint Michel and Chartres myself one day and this book illuminated what is so special about this Medieval landmark.