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A Journey from This World to the Next and The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon
This unique double edition brings together Henry Fielding's two voyage narratives. A Journey From This World to the Next (1743) is a powerful satire on contemporary follies in the form of a journey through the underworld. The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon, published posthumously in 1755, recounts Fielding's last adventure when, seriously ill, he set sail for Lisbon hoping to recover there.
- GenresTravel
278 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 1997
About the author
Henry Fielding
2,486 books394 followersHenry Fielding (1707 - 1754) was an English dramatist, journalist and novelist. The son of an army lieutenant and a judge's daughter, he was educated at Eton School and the University of Leiden before returning to England where he wrote a series of farces, operas and light comedies.
Fielding formed his own company and was running the Little Theatre, Haymarket, when one of his satirical plays began to upset the government. The passing of the Theatrical Licensing Act in 1737 effectively ended Fielding's career as a playwright.
In 1739, Fielding turned to journalism and became editor of The Champion. He also began writing novels, including: The Adventures of Joseph Andrews (1742) and Jonathan Wild (1743).
Fielding was made a justice of the peace for Westminster and Middlesex in 1748. He campaigned against legal corruption and helped his half-brother, Sir John Fielding, establish the Bow Street Runners.
In 1749, Fielding's novel The History of Tom Jones was published to public acclaim. Critics agree that it is one of the greatest comic novels in the English language. He followed this success with another well received novel, Amelia, in 1751.
Fielding continued as a journalist and his satirical journal, Covent Garden, continued to upset those in power. Throughout his life, Fielding suffered from poor health. By 1752, he could not move without the help of crutches. In an attempt to overcome his health problems, Henry Fielding went to live in Portugal, but this was not successful, and he died in Lisbon in 1754.
Fielding formed his own company and was running the Little Theatre, Haymarket, when one of his satirical plays began to upset the government. The passing of the Theatrical Licensing Act in 1737 effectively ended Fielding's career as a playwright.
In 1739, Fielding turned to journalism and became editor of The Champion. He also began writing novels, including: The Adventures of Joseph Andrews (1742) and Jonathan Wild (1743).
Fielding was made a justice of the peace for Westminster and Middlesex in 1748. He campaigned against legal corruption and helped his half-brother, Sir John Fielding, establish the Bow Street Runners.
In 1749, Fielding's novel The History of Tom Jones was published to public acclaim. Critics agree that it is one of the greatest comic novels in the English language. He followed this success with another well received novel, Amelia, in 1751.
Fielding continued as a journalist and his satirical journal, Covent Garden, continued to upset those in power. Throughout his life, Fielding suffered from poor health. By 1752, he could not move without the help of crutches. In an attempt to overcome his health problems, Henry Fielding went to live in Portugal, but this was not successful, and he died in Lisbon in 1754.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 24, 2026
3.75 rounded to 4.0
This book is a day-by-day memoir of Henry Fielding (judge, writer and satirist) who was known as one of the fathers of the modern novel. In 1743, his doctor recommends that he relocate to a milder climate for his health. This memoir is a travel journal that became his last adventure, that details the voyage from London to Lisbon with his wife. Over the next weeks, Fielding exercises his gift for humor and satire. Brisk, thoughtful, a study in what travel was like in the 1700s traces both the old and new challenges for travelers. The narrative addresses frailty and sentiment, order, courtesy and wit through the events of his trip.
Although dated, the observations can show that travelers have the same experiences and reactions over time. The connecting thread between the times is the humor and ability to interpret life through the lighter side.
This book is a day-by-day memoir of Henry Fielding (judge, writer and satirist) who was known as one of the fathers of the modern novel. In 1743, his doctor recommends that he relocate to a milder climate for his health. This memoir is a travel journal that became his last adventure, that details the voyage from London to Lisbon with his wife. Over the next weeks, Fielding exercises his gift for humor and satire. Brisk, thoughtful, a study in what travel was like in the 1700s traces both the old and new challenges for travelers. The narrative addresses frailty and sentiment, order, courtesy and wit through the events of his trip.
Although dated, the observations can show that travelers have the same experiences and reactions over time. The connecting thread between the times is the humor and ability to interpret life through the lighter side.
August 9, 2024
Obscure for a reason. There are hints of the Henry Fielding I know and love from Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones, but this is mostly poor shadows of his best work. The satire falls flat.
The main character in The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon did send me down an interesting (also horrifying) medical history rabbit hole, reading about extreme cases of dropsy and the regular "tapping" they required.
The main character in The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon did send me down an interesting (also horrifying) medical history rabbit hole, reading about extreme cases of dropsy and the regular "tapping" they required.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews