The Bible in Spain
The Bible in Spain, Or the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments, a book written by George Henry Borrow, is an account of the author's travels in Spain while in the country to sell copies of The Bible translated into Castilian.George Henry Borrow was a nineteenth century English author, best known for his travelogues. In 1835 Borrow was sent to Spain on an assignment as an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Here he spent five years and in doing so experienced a great deal of entertaining and challenging encounters, which he expertly recounts in this collection. As one of the few foreigners in Spain during the Carlist Civil War, Burrow was certainly an oddity in the country. Don Jorge was the name given to him by the locals, and he was both accepted by some and loathed by others. Borrow tells of his encounters with Gypsies, as well Spanish soldiers, women, and religious people, all of which lead to interesting episodes.Borrow is a writer of considerable talent and is able to progress the story's narrative effectively. The book is structured almost as a novel would be, divided into chapters and backed by a continuously progressing story. Borrow's greatest skill is his ability to bring people and places to life with his descriptive text. The author paints a vivid picture that will transport the reader to the Iberian Peninsula of the 1830s.As both a piece of entertainment and a record of his travels, George Burrow's The Bible in Spain, Or the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments is a success. It is an effectively paced and wonderfully written book that can be enjoyed by all - and particularly those that enjoy travel literature.
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George Henry Borrow was a nineteenth century English author, best known for his travelogues. In 1835 Borrow was sent to Spain on an assignment as an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Here he spent five years and in doing so experienced a great deal of entertaining and challenging encounters, which he expertly recounts in this collection. As one of the few foreigners in Spain during the Carlist Civil War, Burrow was certainly an oddity in the country. Don Jorge was the name given to him by the locals, and he was both accepted by some and loathed by others. Borrow tells of his encounters with Gypsies, as well Spanish soldiers, women, and religious people, all of which lead to interesting episodes.
Borrow is a writer of considerable talent and is able to progress the story's narrative effectively. The book is structured almost as a novel would be, divided into chapters and backed by a continuously progressing story. Borrow's greatest skill is his ability to bring people and places to life with his descriptive text. The author paints a vivid picture that will transport the reader to the Iberian Peninsula of the 1830s.
As both a piece of entertainment and a record of his travels, George Burrow's The Bible in Spain, Or the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments is a success. It is an effectively paced and wonderfully written book that can be enjoyed by all - and particularly those that enjoy travel literature.
