Grant Allen (1) (1848–1899)

Grant Allen's Venice is an immersive and captivating exploration of one of the most extraordinary cities in the world at the end of the 1800s. With meticulous attention to detail, Allen weaves together history, culture, and personal anecdotes to create a vivid tapestry of this unique Italian gem.

From the very first pages, the reader is transported to the enchanting waterways of Venice. Allen's prose flows effortlessly, mirroring the gentle sway of the gondolas gliding through the canals. His love for the city is evident in every word, making it impossible not to be swept away by his enthusiasm.

What sets Allen's Venice apart from other travel accounts is his ability to blend historical context with contemporary (published in 1902 - Author died in 1899 at age 51) observations. He effortlessly delves into the city's rich past, highlighting its influence on art, literature, and architecture. Readers are treated to fascinating anecdotes about the likes of Titian, Canaletto, and Casanova, whose spirits seem to linger in every corner of Venice.

The author's keen eye for detail brings the city to life on the page. From the intricate design of St. Mark's Basilica to the crumbling beauty of the Venetian palaces, Allen's vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture that leaves no stone unturned. He masterfully captures the interplay of light and water, conjuring images of reflections dancing on the shimmering canals, as if inviting the reader to step into the scene.

One of the highlights of Allen's work is his exploration of the Venetian way of life. He takes the reader beyond the typical tourist hotspots, offering glimpses into the everyday routines of the city's inhabitants. From the bustling Rialto Market to the serene tranquility of hidden squares, the author uncovers the true essence of Venetian existence.

However, there are moments when the narrative becomes slightly meandering, with tangents that may distract some readers. While these detours offer intriguing insights, they occasionally disrupt the overall flow of the book. Additionally, a few more practical tips for travelers would have been a welcome addition to help navigate the labyrinthine streets and canal-crossing logistics of the city.

Nonetheless, Venice by Grant Allen is an enchanting tribute to a city unlike any other. Whether you have visited Venice or dream of doing so, this book will transport you on a delightful journey through the cobblestone alleys, beneath the picturesque bridges, and across the shimmering lagoons. Allen's passion for the subject shines through every page, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the timeless allure of Venice.… (more)

I found this book quite annoying. Early SF has a fine record for shining a light on the absurdities of contemporary society through the medium of an objective traveller. However, this book does so with a very sneering, inverse-snobbish attitude towards middle England which I found a real turn off. This is embodied by the central character who I found totally unlikable as he patronisingly points out the flaws of the 'barbarians' around him. The introduction to the book suggests that the author and the central character share essentially the same view of English society.

It's not very well written either. Characters are very two dimensional and much of the 'plot' simply entails the traveller denouncing the foibles of the people around him. While this book no doubt effectively satirises some British colonial attitudes, the irony is that some of the views espoused would themselves be frowned upon today.… (more)

Well, this novel is, shall we say, comprehensive.
Lois Cayley's stepfather dies. He is her last near relation and she is left penniless, so she quite naturally decides to take a trip around the world. Who wouldn't? Along the way she hunts out new sources of income, or sometimes things find her. By turns she is a temporary lady's maid for a cantankerous old woman, a bicycle racer, a living bicycle advertisement and saleswoman, house sitter, preventer of theft and fraud, tiger hunter (I don't like that part), journalist, honored guest of a maharajah, and entrepreneur. In the end she has to turn detective, because her fiance is accused of forging his uncle's will. Turns out the will really is forged, but it's an exact forged copy of the real will. Why would anyone need to forge, unaltered, a copy of a will? I leave it to your imagination (or read the book).
Lois turns out to be a rather comical narrator, and I'm glad that I finally determined that this is not a book to be taken seriously, because it would be impossible. I chuckle when she says things like,
"My employer wrote, 'You are a born journalist.'
I confess this surprised me; for I have always considered myself a truthful person."
And the pictures! Lots of old books of this sort have the occasional sketch scattered throughout, but this one has pictures every few pages, so that you might accurately imagine Lois' latest escapade.

Although there are no noticeable puns or plays on language, I have to say that I think this author is literarily (but not literally) related to P.G. Wodehouse. A similar sense of the ridiculous, and frequently over-the-top, but everything comes right by the end of the episode. Yes, this book is written in episodes, tied together by a few common threads.
Some may want to take note that there are a dozen or so uses of the N-word around the middle of the book, but only out of the mouth of a character you are not supposed to like anyway. Oddly enough, he's not talking about people of African descent, but those from India.… (more)