William Dean Howells was the American consul in Venice from 1861 to 1865, when the city was still under Austrian rule. In his travelogue Italian Journeys he gathers observations and impressions from that period. It is a portrait of a country in transition, drawn with a realist’s sharp eye. His travels take him from Veneto through Emilia-Romagna to Rome and Naples.
Italian Journeys
William Dean Howells (1837–1920)
Original language: English
First edition: 1867
What is it about?
In Italian Journeys William Dean Howells recounts his experiences as an American diplomat in Italy. The book is not a conventional travel narrative with a fixed route, but a collection of sketches and essays. Its focus is Venice, where Howells lived for four years and came to know the city like a local. From there he made excursions and longer journeys that took him to Padua and Ferrara, as well as Genoa, Rome and Naples. With subtle irony and precise observation, he describes everyday life, people and the mood in an Italy undergoing national unification. He deliberately avoids the romantic idealisation that marked many travel accounts of his time.
About the author
William Dean Howells (1837–1920) is considered one of the leading figures of American realism. As a novelist, critic and editor, he shaped the US literary scene in the second half of the 19th century. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him US consul in Venice in recognition of a campaign biography. His years in Italy from 1861 to 1865 furnished material for several books, including Venetian Life and the work discussed here, Italian Journeys. After returning to the USA, he became known above all for novels such as The Rise of Silas Lapham known.
Italy reference
The book offers a fascinating insight into Italy in the 1860s. Howells experienced Venice while it was still under Austrian rule and describes the tense atmosphere shortly before it joined the Kingdom of Italy. He writes about more than famous sights, turning his attention to everyday life: the streets, conversations in the caffè and the social divide between the nobility and ordinary people. His travels to Rome and Naples reveal the country’s marked regional differences. Howells captures Italy’s contradictions: pride in its ancient past and the often difficult realities of the present.
Why read?
Readers looking for an alternative to rapturous Grand Tour accounts will find Italian Journeys rewarding. The book is a historical document portraying a country in transition. Howells‘ sober but humorous style makes it an intellectually enjoyable read. It suits readers interested in 19th-century Italian history who appreciate an unvarnished yet affectionate view of the country.
Recommended Reading
Because the work was originally written in English, a German translation is recommended to capture the finer nuances of its style. Readers who want to compare Howells‘ perspective with that of an earlier prominent traveller can turn to Goethe’s Italian journey , which presents a very different image of Italy shaped by classicism.
In our weekly column Book about Italy the editorial team of Italy News presents selected works - travel literature, novels, memoirs and non-fiction books that show the country from a variety of perspectives. Immerse yourself with us in foreign views of the Bel Paese, in stories that awaken longing and allow you to rediscover Italy. Perfect for your next vacation, a quiet reading session or simply for daydreaming. Buona lettura!
