Literary Landscapes of the British Isles: A Narrative Atlas

by David Daiches, John Flower

Sixty maps, a gazetteer, and critical essays place the great writers of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland against the background of their native regions.

Identifies geographic locations mentioned in the works of English authors and discusses the influence locations may have had on their work.

Contents:
--Chaucer's world: Chaucer's London; Touring with Chaucer's pilgrims; Chaucer overseas: the country of his mind --
--Shakespeare's London --
--Dr. Johnson's London --
--Charles Dickens's London --
--Virginia Woolf's London : a walking tour with Mrs. Dalloway --
--Bath --
--Lake poets --
--Romantic poets abroad --
--Bronte country --
--Thomas Hardy's Wessex --
--Blackening of England --
--Scotland in literature : Kidnapped: a topographical novel; Edinburgh --
--Dublin of Yeats and Joyce: After Parnell; Wanderings of Ulysses; Other testimony --
--Atlas and gazetteer section: Atlas; General gazetteer; London gazetteer; Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Inns of Court; Schools; Geographical index.

Genres: Travel, History, Reference, Books About Books, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

David Daiches was a Scottish literary historian and literary critic, scholar and writer. He wrote extensively on English literature, Scottish literature and Scottish culture.

He was born in Sunderland, into a Jewish family with a Lithuanian background - the subject of his 1956 memoir, Two Worlds: An Edinburgh Jewish Childhood. He moved to Edinburgh while still a young child, about the end of World War I, where his father, Rev. Dr. Salis Daiches was rabbi to Edinburgh's Jewish community. He studied at George Watson's College and won a scholarship to University of Edinburgh where he won the Elliot prize. He went to Oxford where he became the Elton exhibitioner, and was elected Fellow of Balliol College in 1936.

During World War II, he worked for the British Embassy in Washington, DC, producing pamphlets for the British Information Service and drafting speeches on British institutions and foreign policy.

Daiches' first published work was The Place of Meaning in Poetry, published in 1935. He was a prolific writer, producing works on English literature, Scottish literature, literary history and criticism as well as the broader role of literature in society and culture.

Daiches was the father of Jenni Calder, also a Scottish literary historian.

Reviews

[Annie]

As I was shelving books this morning, I happened upon this book in the 820s (820.9941 DAICHES) and was captivated at first sight. Authors David Daiches, a renowned literary scholar, and John Flower, a veteran cartographer have created an illustrated book unlike any I've read. I've just begun, but already know I want to own it, as I continue my favorite pasttime of reading historical fiction.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a reader of English Literature ever be without something like this?

[Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I walked about the countryside of southern England using this as a guidebook. It was wonderful to have a literary tour.

[Larry Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owned it for years.

[Nancy McElroy]

Very detailed and informative book. Can't wait to visit the British Isles.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great travel book.