Published in the 1870s, Saunterings collects the travel essays Charles Dudley Warner wrote for The Hartford Courant. There's no single plot. Instead, think of it as a series of vivid, connected snapshots from a long, leisurely trip across Europe.

The Story

Warner refuses to be a typical tourist. He avoids the biggest cathedrals if the line is too long and often finds more interest in a local market or a quiet village lane. The 'story' is simply his journey of perception. He sails across the Atlantic, wanders through London's fog, gets wonderfully lost in the French countryside, critiques German spas, and revels in the chaotic beauty of Italy. He describes landscapes, architecture, and meals, but his real focus is on people and atmosphere. He's just as likely to write a whole page about the character of a Venetian gondolier or the peculiarities of a Swiss innkeeper as he is about a famous painting. The narrative drive comes from his curious mind and our desire to see what he'll notice next.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up expecting a quaint, dated travelogue. I was wrong. Warner's voice is the star. He's witty, a bit sarcastic, deeply thoughtful, and utterly charming. His observations are sharp. He pokes fun at other American travelers, himself, and national stereotypes with equal warmth. Reading him feels like having a brilliant, well-read friend guiding you through a forgotten Europe. The real magic, though, is the philosophy underneath it all: the art of the saunter. In a world that was already starting to speed up (with trains and guidebooks), Warner champions slow travel, aimless walks, and genuine connection. It's a message we desperately need today. His prose is clean, vivid, and often quietly funny.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for lovers of classic essayists like Mark Twain (a close friend of Warner's), for anyone who dreams of slow travel, and for readers who enjoy smart, conversational writing about place and culture. If you need a fast-paced plot, look elsewhere. But if you want to be transported, to laugh at the timeless hassles of travel, and to be inspired to look at your own surroundings with fresher eyes, Saunterings is a pure delight. It's a gentle, restorative read that proves some of the best journeys happen when you have no particular place to go.