My favorite author in my favorite country...a perfect combination. The first twenty or so pages were slow going, but then again they were for Dickens, too. At this point in the book/journey he was going by carriage through France. When he arrives in sunny Italy, everything improves and the book has the charm, warmth, love of life, and (pardon this France) joi de vivre that makes Italy such an invigorating and stimulating place to visit - today, AND in the mid1800s.

3.5 stars

Somewhat comforting to read this in the crowded streets of an Italian tourist town and to discover that the churches, museums, and roads were as busy in 1844 as they are now, and that were one to go back a few hundred years the cities may resemble more closely the Romes, Florences and Sienas of today, and less so the tranquil versions of such places, untouched by modernity, that we may like to imagine existed in a long lost past. It is uplifting to discover that neither we the modern tourist nor Dickens may walk down an Italian street in peace and without being interrupted to buy a souvenir or leather bag. Dickens reminds us that this is as crucial to an Italian excursion as the food, art, or architecture, thereby hinting at a different sense of appreciation that may take the place of frustration or impatience.

A little slow and random musings about a trip taken through Italy. Listened to as an audio from Librivox in preparation for our trip to Italy this summer. NF

The family of Charles Dickens traveled from England, through France, to Italy in 1844. They made beautiful Genoa their home base while they made side trips to areas of interest in Italy. Then they visited Switzerland on their return trip to England. Dickens sent letters home with his personal impressions of each site visited. He used that information to publish a series of eight "Traveling Letters" in the Daily News. These articles were gathered together in "Pictures from Italy" in 1846. Dickens also used his experiences from this trip to set some of the scenes in The Chimes and Little Dorrit.

The book tells about Dickens' personal reactions to the Italian people, the culture, and the beauty of the places he visited. He was enchanted by Venice, and described it as a dream. He enjoyed the history surrounding the Colosseum and ruins, but was not impressed by the religious rituals during Holy Week in Rome. An especially exciting part of the book told of his visit to Mount Vesuvius where he climbed to the rim of the active volcano before sliding down the slippery lava with his clothes singed. Traveling through the snowy Alps with a coach and horses over the winding mountain roads also had elements of danger.

Italy had not yet experienced the Industrial Revolution in 1844, so the Dickens passed through towns where farming, making wine, fishing, mining, hospitality, and selling merchandise were the principle occupations. Churches had a prominent place in every town. He mentioned the poverty and the presence of beggars in some areas.

My father had been in Europe with the US Army doing radio work during World War II. Fifty years ago, he wanted to revisit some of the charming places he had enjoyed. He took our family on a trip to Paris, Munich, and Vienna. We also enjoyed some side trips, including some in northern Italy. My father drove a VW bus through the mountainous Alps, and we hoped he had good health and the vehicle had good brakes as we circled the down the mountains! I found extra pleasure reading Dickens' account of his trip since we had several stops in common. "Pictures from Italy" brought back many pleasant memories. Now is the perfect time to do some traveling through our reading!
3.5 stars.

Charles Dickens Pictures from Italy was a delightful sojourn through one of my favorite destinations, one where we have spent a lot of time over the years, and I would return in a heartbeat but not for COVID-19 altering our lives. My fondest memories were of our first trip to Italy with an itinerary in our minds but no reservations as we rented our trusty little red Fiat that took us to such delightful places in Italy for the next month. So enchanted with this beautiful country, we went again spending our time in northern Italy, and loving Milan and Lake Garda, having to go back to Verona and Venice. We are looking forward to our next trip to Italy, and I must say that I love Charles Dickens' idea of approaching the country via southern France; who can pass up Avignon and Nice? It should also be noted that the visual art by Livia Signorini was stunningly beautiful and a valuable resource throughout Charles Dickens' reflections.

"This Book is a series of faint reflections--mere shadows in the water--of places to which the imaginations of most people are attracted in a greater or less degree, on which mine had dwelt for years, and which have some interest for us all."

"A grand and dreamy structure, of immense proportions; golden with old mosaics; redolent of perfumes; dim with the smoke of incense; costly in treasure of precious stones and metals, glittering through iron bars; holy with the bodies of deceased saints; rainbow-hued with windows of stained glass; dark with carved woods and colored marbles; obscure in its vast heights, and lengthened distances; shining with silver lamps and winking lights; unreal, fantastic, solemn, inconceivable throughout."

It is always entertaining to read how people of the past have characterised travel in their days. I didn't know Dickens had written a travelogue, so I jumped on the occasion to read it soon as I learned about it.
The great Victorian writer goes around Italy for a year, briefly passing through France, travelling in his carriage with the family and puts down an almost-stream-of-consciousness account of how he perceives places - at traits, he even writes about ghastly dreams!
The perspective is, I found, a bit snob(ish) at times: there's lot of things he doesn't like and he's constantly picking on the poverty, the dirt, the unglamorous expressions of life he sees. However, he manifests great appreciation of the beauty of landscapes and man-made artefacts, so the sentiment is quite balanced between dislike and love. Fun and interesting book to read now.

This is a travelogue of the author's time spent in Italy. I really enjoyed the detail in his descriptions of towns and scenery. It gives an overall impression of a leisurely amble through the Italian countryside, as well as criticism of things like the Vatican. It is an interesting critique.

Especially enjoyed his descriptions of Rome, Naples & Florence, places I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting.

Oh Chuck, he was like a very snarky but charming dinner guest in his descriptions of Italy. It could have been coming from the dear Dowager Countess of Grantham's mouth herself. I did enjoy it, he was very descriptive and it is nice to be so descriptive about a world that is completely gone to us.

I got the complete works of Dickens for my Kindle for $1! I'm laughing out loud when I read this. The description of the dungeons in the Palais des Papes in Avignon, where the Inquisition took place is horrifying and funny at the same time, because the 'goblin' who gave the tour is hilarious.

Even though I love every thing I have read by Charles Dickens, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this as much as I did. I was afraid that without his interesting characters and plot this travel book would not hold my interest but of course the people he meets a long the way and Italy itself are the characters. I enjoyed his descriptions of the people and places, and his views on art and religion.