Hester Piozzi’s 1789 Observations of her travels around Europe with her second husband is a witty and fascinating account, full of conversational anecdotes and local colour, which today make it a valu
In the second volume of Piozzi's Observations, the travels continue from Naples and into Germany before the return to England. Well educated and accustomed to society and activity, Hester relished her intellectual collaboration and close friendship with Samuel Johnson, developed during her first marriage to the successful but stifling Henry Thrale. Yet as Johnson became ill he was increasingly demanding of her attention as a nurse and they became susceptible to society gossip. Hester's second marriage, to Italian musician Gabriel Mario Piozzi in 1784, was therefore extremely liberating. The European travels recounted in these volumes were an escape, and Hester revelled in her experiences, a joy which shows through clearly in this development of her own, non-Johnsonian literary tone. The books were well received, even being read at court by Queen Charlotte and Fanny Burney. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=piozhe
Hester Piozzi's 1789 Observations is an entertaining title, with a conversational, present-tense style that makes it stand out from other (largely male) travel writing of the period. Extremely well-educated and accustomed to society and activity, Hester was stifled in her first marriage to brewer Henry Thrale. A close friend of Samuel Johnson, she collaborated with him on several works, but also found herself increasingly called upon to nurse him as he became ill. Her second marriage to Italian musician Gabriel Mario Piozzi in 1784 was therefore extremely liberating. The European travels recounted in these volumes were an escape, allowing Hester to develop her own literary tone. This first volume recounts the beginnings of their travels through France and Italy, and Hester's enjoyment of her experiences shows through clearly in the liveliness of her writing. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=piozhe
