This second Library of America volume of Washington Irving brings
together for the first time three collections of his stories and
sketches. Written at the peak of his popularity, these three works
reveal Irving's remarkable diversity, his skill at adapting European
legends to his own style, and the talent for entertainment that made him
America's first literary celebrity.
Bracebridge Hall (1822) was published, like The Sketch Book, under
the pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon, and centers on an English manor, its
inhabitants, and the tales they tell. Interspersed with witty, evocative
sketches of country life among the English nobility is the well-known
tale "The Stout Gentleman" and stories based on English, French, and
Spanish folklore, vividly recounted with Irving's inimitable blend of
elegance and colloquial dash.
Tales of a Traveller (1824), written after a year-long stay in
Germany, is a pivotal work in Irving's career, marking his last
experiment with fiction before he turned to the writing of history,
biography, and adaptation of folktales. Irving felt his new stories to
be "some of the best things I have ever written. They may not be as
highly finished as some of my former writings, but they are touched off
with a freer spirit, and are more true to life."
The Alhambra (1832) was inspired by Irving's stay during the spring
and summer of 1829 at the ancient Moorish palace in Granada, which he
called "one of the most remarkable, romantic, and delicious spots in the
world." This rich compendium of tales, deftly interwoven with historical
accounts and picturesque sketches, was assembled from Spanish and
Moorish folklore, history, guidebooks, and anecdotes of Irving's
experiences among the local residents.
LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization
founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by
publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most
significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than
300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in
length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are
printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.
