BOOKS:Italian Hours

Italian Landscape

Mann, Stendhal, Byron, Forster, Belloc__they all lived for a time and derived much of their inspiration from Italy. However, it was Henry James who drew the most loving and appreciative portrait of Italy and its culture in his 1909 book, "Italian Hours." Typical of James prose__"The charm of certain vacant grassy spaces, in Italy, overfrowned by masses of brickwork that are honeycombed by the suns of centuries, is something that I hereby renounce once for all the attempt to express; but you may be sure that whatever I mention such a spot enchantment lurks in it." "Italian Hours" is a collection of travel essays that were published between 1872 and 1909 in which James explores Italy's art, religion, politics and people. James often writes enthusiastically about the aesthetic appeal of Venice, the vitality of Rome and the sensuality of Naples. But he also complains about the Italian, "scene." He notes in particular that the foreigners descend on Italy in the winter months and begin to depart at the end of May__"The place has passed so completely for the winter months into the hands of the barbarians that estimable character the passionate pilgrim finds it constantly harder to keep his passion clear." Italy in the winter months of the 19th and early 20th centuries was part of the "Grand Tour," a yearly pilgrimage for many Europeans who flocked to Italy to imbibe its culture and its civilization__an attempt to become civilized. James bemoans this vulgarization of of the Italian landscape and how it detracts from the real essence of the country. He still however came away seduced by the Italians and Italy__ a writer smitten by a seductress that had seduced thousands before him. "Italian Hours" is still available in print today.