Given this is primarily a litblog, I like my travel posts to have some literary or, at least, linguistic interest. And so in this first post about our current trip to Japan, literary and linguistic observations and thoughts will be my focus. Linguistic challenges Japanese language has a pitch-accent system which can provide particular challenges for … Continue reading On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 1, Central Honshu
Travel writing
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian travel writing
At luggage carousels one can question travelling (Donald Horne, The intelligent tourist) Having just returned from our trip to Hong Kong, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post about some Australian travel writing. Hmm ... good idea, but where to start? The first problem is that while I usually enjoy travel literature … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian travel writing
John M. Duncan, A Virginia barbecue
Now for something different from the Library of America - a little 3-page excerpt, titled "A Virginia Barbecue", from Scotsman John M. Duncan's Travels through part of the United States and Canada in 1818 and 1819, which was published in 1823. In it, Duncan describes a barbecue to which he was invited by Bushrod (what a … Continue reading John M. Duncan, A Virginia barbecue
Charles Dickens, On travel
In the 3rd essay in Hesperus Press's lovely little volume On travel, which comprises a selection of Dickens' travel essays, Dickens (1812-1870) makes a reference to Laurence Sterne's character Yorick. In one of those lovely bits of reading synchronicity, Hungry Like the Wolf posted last week on Laurence Sterne's A sentimental journey through France and Italy which features … Continue reading Charles Dickens, On travel
P.T. Barnum, In France
When I saw that this week's Library of America story was by P.T. Barnum, I knew I had to read it. Like most people I've heard of Barnum and his travelling shows, but had never read anything by him. "In France" is not a short story, as most of the Library of America offerings are, but … Continue reading P.T. Barnum, In France
Whispering Gums 