Litsy

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

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Irving‘s prose is beautiful, and he evokes a wonderful sense of time and place. The tales he relates are enchanting, but all very similar. The history he tells is interesting, but too detailed. Personally, I think I would have preferred a condensed version of this book. It just felt like a bit of a slog. A soft pick for me, but I‘m glad I read it, thanks to @BarbaraJean and #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead .

julieclair #OneSnackToRuleThemAll #CandyCornies @Bookwormjillk 1mo

Bookwormjillk 🌽🌽🌽 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 3/3

LMM references Tales of the Alhambra in Emily Climbs, as well as in Vol. 2 of her journals.
What do you think it was about the book that captivated LMM?
Did you feel a similar enchantment, or were its charms not quite as potent for you?
Is there anything else you‘d like to discuss about Tales from the Alhambra?

rubyslippersreads, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

julieclair I agree with LMM that the book was a “gateway to an enchanted world”, but I didn‘t take the delight in it that she did. It often felt like a slog. I think I may have enjoyed it more as individual stories read (or listened to, in my case) occasionally over a long period of time. But I‘m glad I read it - it‘s one of the classics that I have been meaning to get to. Thanks for making it happen, @BarbaraJean , and for always being an excellent host! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks I don't think I found quite the magic that LMM did, but I could definitely see why she did - and thinking about her reading this at the end of a cold, dark Canadian winter - well it's no wonder that she was drawn to descriptions of warmth and exotic adventure! There were definitely times that the narration bogged down for me, but on the whole I found this one genuinely charming. 1mo

rubyslippersreads I got behind n this, and based on everyone‘s comments, I don‘t think I‘ll try to catch up. 🙂 1mo

BarbaraJean @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks It also felt like a slog to me frequently! I wouldn't have called my reading “pure delight,“ but I agree with you, Sarah--I can certainly see the draw for LMM in the midst of the darkness and the cold. I can see her being fascinated by the climate, the culture, the history, and the romance of the various stories. I could have done with less of the history, myself! @rubyslippersreads Fair assessment. 😂 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 2/3

What did you think of Irving as a narrator?
What did you think of his commentary on Spanish and Moorish culture (both past and present)?
Which of the tales he includes were most interesting to you?

rubyslippersreads, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

julieclair Irving‘s prose was beautiful, but I could have done with less of it. I felt the same way about The Mysteries of Udolpho - too much “verdant verdure” for my taste. 😉 1mo

julieclair I did enjoy the descriptions of Spanish and Moorish culture, which I knew little about. It felt like I was stepping into a truly different world. I appreciate a strong sense of place, and Irving definitely delivered that. 1mo

julieclair Honestly, the tales seem to have merged together in my mind. Beautiful princesses, hidden Moorish treasure, ancient enchantments, poor peasants with good hearts, and lots of kings and battles. My favorite tale was the one where the parrot and the owl ended up as government officials! 1mo

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TheAromaofBooks Like I said in my review, I loved Irving's voice. I actually loved some of the stories of his contemporaries staying in the Alhambra. He just seemed to find so much joy and interest in literally everything and everyone. 1mo

BarbaraJean I really liked Irving as a narrator & kind of wished this was a more straightforward travelogue with his experiences + the legends, and fewer digressions. @julieclair The descriptions gave a GREAT sense of place, but yes: this could have been trimmed down! And the stories kind of blended together for me, too. I agree @TheAromaofBooks - I loved his voice! I'd have liked more about the experiences he had with the people staying in the Alhambra. ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) His respect for and delight in the culture, the people, the place, and the history were wonderful. Sarah, I think you mentioned this in your review or in a previous check-in discussion, but the way he presented the Christians vs. Moors was so refreshing. It was evident he respected the history and culture all around and didn't denigrate one side or the other. It was all just fascinating to him and he wanted to share it with his readers! 1mo

julieclair @BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I agree about the way he presented the Christians vs. Moors. Very balanced and not judgmental. He probably was a very good diplomat! And he did seem like an interesting, nice guy. He‘d make my list to be included in a “people from history” dinner party. 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 1/3

As a travelogue, this book goes beyond personal experience or descriptions of the sights & culture of a place. Irving includes story after story from the Alhambra's past, from more straightforward history to tales of myths and legends.
Did you enjoy this way of approaching his subject? What do the myths and legends add to his account—or did they detract from the subject for you?

rubyslippersreads, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

julieclair For me, the history and stories are what make this succeed as a travelogue. I have always been ambivalent about visiting southern Spain, but now I really want to go there! The history is what makes a place come alive for me as a tourist. 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Yes!! I totally agree with @julieclair - the stories are what made this so engaging. While some of the more straightforward history got a little bogged down for me, I loved all of the legends and really appreciated the way he gave them to us in a way that allowed them to build on each other, referencing stories/characters he had already told us about earlier. 1mo

BarbaraJean @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks The legends were what made this work for me. While there were so many similar elements (all the hidden treasure!) that they did all kind of blend together, I still enjoyed reading them all! And I loved the way he closed the book, looking back on the city and thinking of Boabdil taking his last look as well. This wasn't a quick read and there were parts I wish had been edited down, but I'm glad I read it. 1mo

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TheAromaofBooks

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

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One of my goals for October is to get back into posting regular reviews!! I started this one in September as a #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead – I had never really heard of it before and wasn‘t sure what to expect. Irving recounts a trip to Spain, where he spends several weeks living in the semi-ruined palace of Alhambra, just outside Granada. While parts of this book bog down with Irving‘s enthusiastic historical facts (apparently he was there to ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) research for a nonfiction book he was writing), Irving himself comes through as incredibly likable. He is absolutely in love with where he is and the people who live there and all the history. This book is random anecdotes from his time there, and various legends he heard as well. While most of the stories are Moors/Muslims vs Christians, I never felt like he was creating a good vs bad dichotomy. Instead, he writes with respect and ⬇ 1mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) interest about everyone. He never sounds superior or snobbish (his chapter about scaring himself by purposefully staying in a more “haunted“ area of the castle was delightful), but keeps his writing warm and friendly. While parts of this book were slow, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

@BarbaraJean 1mo

TheAromaofBooks #HauntedShelf #ScreamTeam @ImperfectCJ
#WickedWords - Castle
#GottaCatchEmAll - Cloaks/Capes @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo 1mo

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PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 1mo

BarbaraJean I completely agree with all of this!! His tone throughout was a delight—I think I‘d enjoy Irving as a travel buddy! 1mo

mabell Oh my goodness, I had no idea this existed!!! I absolutely want to read this! I loved Irving‘s Old Christmas, and I love the Alhambra, so this sounds fabulous! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @mabell - I went into it with absolutely no knowledge of the Alhambra, so I would think that if you know anything about it, your reading would be even more enhanced. Irving is absolutely IN LOVE with the place, and that affection really comes through in his writing. I definitely recommend it!! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - So many of those older travel books (and even many modern ones!) are just... smug little comments about how inferior other places are from “home“ or completely lacking in any kind of appreciation for the culture and history of the place they're visiting. Irving's writing was so refreshing and enthusiastic. And the legends were great fun as well!! 1mo

Cuilin I‘ve never heard of this, but your review has me intrigued. 1mo

julieclair Great review! I agree that Irving came off as very likeable and not snobby. 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

I‘ve gotten behind in my Alhambra reading this week… the Abencerrages chapter was a real slog (I had a really hard time keeping track of who was who!), and I never quite got caught back up. I‘ve been enjoying the stories and legends more than the history!

How‘s your reading going? What stories/sections stand out to you so far?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent

TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

Texreader Omg I have the first edition of this book!! I‘ve been wanting to read it but it‘s so old and crumbly I‘m afraid of damaging it. 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Some parts of this definitely bog down, but the legends are great fun. I never feel like Irving is taking himself too seriously when he is describing what is happening to him/his observations, and I really like how it never feels like the Muslims and Christians are put into good v. bad categories - just two different sides. While I don't LOVE this one, I am finding it enjoyable. But it's not a fast read! 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

“That book always makes me feel as if I had opened a little door and stepped straight into fairyland.
How I would love to see the Alhambra!”
—from “Salad Days” in Emily Climbs

How are you enjoying your reading of Tales from the Alhambra this week? Is it taking you to fairyland, as it does Emily? #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent

TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

julieclair There are moments where it feels like fairy land, but to be honest, it has mostly felt like a slog. The writing and descriptions are beautiful, but there are too many details for me. Although I must admit it has piqued my interest in visiting Grenada and The Alhambra some day. However, I‘m ready for some action! 2mo

rubyslippersreads I need to catch up. I‘ve always wanted to read this because of the Emily connection. 2mo

julieclair I‘m not sure where I am vs. where we‘re supposed to be. I‘m listening on audio and there are no chapters referenced, either in the narration itself or in the “details” section on Hoopla. I‘m at the part where he has just climbed up to the ramparts to see the view. 25% of book read. 2mo

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BarbaraJean @julieclair The first chapter, where they're traveling to Granada, was SUCH a slog. It's picked up a bit more now he's including some of the legends & stories from the past. And SO interesting that yours doesn't have chapter references! I'm reading a digital copy via Hoopla & there are chapter titles but not chapter numbers. Where I left off yesterday, he was talking about how misunderstood Boabdil is and is about to tell about the Abencerrages. ⬇ 2mo

BarbaraJean I wonder if the audio just reads the chapter titles into the text. Would it help if I posted a list of the chapter titles tied to the dates for the week? (Although it's not like there are really spoilers to be careful of, probably reading roughly 1/3 each week is close enough for our check-in/discussion purposes!)

@rubyslippersreads Me too! I remember coming across it first in the Emily books & there was a reference to it in the journals, too. 2mo

TheAromaofBooks I actually have been enjoying this. The writing is friendly and I like the way that he is so kind to/about everyone. He seems like a person ready to be pleased with what he finds instead of always looking for faults. I loved the chapter where he decided to sleep in the abandoned rooms and then found himself getting creeped out by the ambiance 😂 It's a little dense - I think I'm a chapter behind - but I quite like it. 2mo

julieclair @BarbaraJean You‘re sweet to offer, but I think your idea of just listening to 1/3 each week will work out fine. 💙 2mo

julieclair @TheAromaofBooks I hadn‘t really thought about how nice he is, but you‘re right! 2mo

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Like @julieclair, I hadn't thought about his kindness and how he just enjoys everything. Irving is the opposite of the stereotypical entitled traveler who is annoyed when things are different from home! It makes for a lovely tone for a travelogue. 2mo

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LitsyEvents

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

Repost for @BarbaraJean

Hello, Kindred Spirits! We‘ll begin reading Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving this week. I‘m looking forward to experiencing this book that LMM loved and that she references both in her journals and in the Emily books. Here‘s the schedule—all are welcome! Let me know if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to be. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacents

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2900766

33 likes

BarbaraJean

Tales of the Alhambra | Washington Irving

Hello, Kindred Spirits! We‘ll begin reading Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving this week. I‘m looking forward to experiencing this book that LMM loved and that she references both in her journals and in the Emily books. Here‘s the schedule—all are welcome! Let me know if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to be. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacents

TheAromaofBooks, LitsyEvents, julieclair

TheAromaofBooks I just started this morning, and am feeling very smug about having reading Don Quixote last year and understanding some of the references 😂 2mo

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks 😂 😂 YES! I felt the same way. I think a not insignificant reason for reading classic literature is so you can feel smug when you understand references to it later. 😆 2mo

31 likes2 comments

Billypar

Granada: The Complete Trilogy | Radwa Ashour

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Up until last year, only the 1st book of Ashour's trilogy on the expulsion of Muslim people from 16th century Granada had been translated into English. Luckily, Kay Heikkinen translated all 3 novels, which were released in one volume from AUC Press. Historical fiction that immerses you in the gorgeous detail of Islamic Andalusian society and chronicles the heartbreak of people made to abandon their culture before being forced to leave their home.

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