Washington Irving, página 7 de 23

Washington Irving fue el primer escritor norteamericano que adquirió en su época fama internacional. Entre 1826 y 1829 ocupó el puesto de agregado de la embajada en España. Fruto de esta experiencia fueron algunas obras de tema español, como una biografia sobre Cristobal Colon, y los populares" Cuentos de la Alhambra" , narraciones de historias tradicionales españolas, de una imaginacion encantadora. Hay en ellas un deseo de escapar de la monotona realidad del presente para vivir las tristemente desaparecidas glorias del pasado.

A charming volume of old English Christmas traditions written by famed American author Washington Irving: Christmas, The Stage Coach, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, The Christmas Dinner.This book, published in 1886 and illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, chronicles the American writer Washington Irvings nostalgic recollections of Christmas traditions in 19th century England. The text first appeared in 1819 in Irvings Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., which also contained such classics as "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The winter of 1822 found Irving in Dresden. In that year was published "Bracebridge Hall," the groundwork of which is a charming description of country life in England, interspersed with narratives, the scene of which is laid in other countries. Of these, the Norman tale of " Annette Delarbre" seems to many readers the most beautiful and affecting thing of its kind in all his works; so beautiful, indeed, that one can hardly see how one who has once read it can resist the desire to read it again. In " Bracebridge Hall" we have the Stout Gentleman, full of certain minute paintings of familiar objects, where not a single touch is thrown in that does not heighten the comic effect of the narrative. The most popular novelists of the day have learned from this pattern the skill with which they have wrought up some of their most striking passages, both grave and gay. In composing " Bracebridge Hall," Irving showed that he had not forgotten his native country; and in the pleasant tale of Dolph Heyliger he went back to the banks of that glorious river beside which he was born.

"I have no wife nor children, good or bad, to provide for. A mere spectator of other mens fortunes and adventures, and how they play their parts; which, methinks, are diversely presented unto me, as

Washington Irving fue entre 1826 y 1829 agregado de la embajada de su país en España. Fruto de esta experiencia fueron algunas obras de tema español, como una biografía sobre Cristóbal Colón, y los populares Cuentos de la Alhambra, narraciones de historias tradicionales españolas, de una imaginacion encantadora. Hay en ellas un deseo de escapar de la monotona realidad del presente para vivir las tristemente desaparecidas glorias del pasado.Narrado en primera persona por el propio autor, Cuentos de la Alhambra nos cuenta como inicia un viaje por tierras andaluzas que le llevara a Granada. Alli se instala y conoce a varios personajes que le iran relatando los cuentos y leyendas en torno a la Alhambra y a su pasado hispanomusulman. El libro avanza ademas por el presente (1829), correspondiente a la realidad que vive el autor. Esto le permite mostrar un rico cuadro de la Granada de la epoca, de sus calles, sus gentes, sus costumbres, etc.

Compiled during a three-month stay in Granada, Spain, Tales of the Alhambra assembles descriptions, myths, and narratives of historical events. After completing a literary project in Madrid, author Washington Irving traveled to Granada, Spain. Immediately taken by its beauty and extravagance, Irving requested a travel guide and began filling notebooks and journals with his observations and description of the magnificent setting. Beginning with an expedition through the Andalusian mountains on horseback, cherishing the grandeur of the nature, Irving took his time to enjoy and observe the landscape and culture of the country. After their horseback ride through the mountains, Irving and his guide stopped at an inn for a drink. During their stay, Irving witnessed artistic culture through music and dance, noting how the locals seemed to celebrate every-day occurrences, creating a happy environment. Upon entering the city, Irving requested permission from the governor to stay at the Alhambra palace. Originally built on the ruins of Roman buildings, the Alhambra was a small fortress built in 889 CE, and had been largely ignored and forgotten by the time Irving arrived in Granada. While staying in the Alhambra, Irving explored the abandoned palace and recollected the myths set within its walls, recording every detail of its architecture, story, and mystery. The Alhambra palace had been mostly forgotten, and left unmaintained until Washington Irvings narrative and recollections revived interest. Upon its original publication in 1832, Washington Irvings Tales of the Alhambra piqued the curiosity of readers who were completely engrossed in Irvings description of the previously abandoned fortress. With delicate prose and intricate detail, Tales of the Alhambra appeal to readers sense of adventure, and allows its audience to explore the wonders of Granada, Spain alongside Washington Irving. This edition of Washington Irvings Tales of the Alhambra features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable, inviting contemporary audiences to divulge in the grandeur and beauty of a medieval fortress.

The library of America is dedicated to publishing America''s best and most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritative texts. Hailed as the "finest-looking, longest-lasting editions ever made" (The New Republic), Library of America volumes make a fine gift for any occasion. Now, with exactly one hundred volumes to choose from, there is a perfect gift for everyone.

In condensing into one compact volume Mr. Irvings elaborate Life of Washington, care has been taken to retain, not only all the important facts connected with Washingtons career, but also those circumstances and incidents which may be supposed to contribute to a full estimate of his character in all its aspects. Nor have any portion of the great events connected with the era in which he filled so grand and controlling a part been unduly neglected or subordinated. The work, in its present abbreviated form, still presents a continuous and complete record of American history during the period of Washingtons official life. Mr. Irvings language, as a rule, has been retained; but in cases where a variation from his sentences has been necessary, in order to secure the requisite brevity, the paragraphs are enclosed in brackets.

Alimited edition of the "Legends of the Conquest of Spain," with which this volume commences, was published in 1835. These Legends, consisting of the "Legend of Don Roderick," the "Legend of the Subjugation of Spain," the "Legend of Count Julian and his Family," formed No. III. of the "Crayon Miscellany." For the Chronicles which follow them, with the exception of "Abderahman" and "Spanish Romance," which have appeared in the "Knickerbocker Magazine," I have drawn upon the unpublished manuscripts of Mr. Irving, bequeathed to me by his will. This portion of the volume is illustrative of the wars between the Spaniards and the Moors, and consists of the "Legend of Pelayo," the "Chronicle of Count Fernan Gonzalez," the most illustrious hero of his epoch, who united the kingdoms of Leon and Castile; and the "Chronicle of Fernando the Saint," that renowned champion of the faith, under whom the greater part of Spain was rescued from the Moors. I have selected these themes from a mass of unpublished manuscript that came into my hands at [Pg vi] the death of Mr. Irving, because they bore the impress of being most nearly, though not fully, prepared for the press, and because they had for him a special fascination, arising in part, perhaps, from his long residence in that romantic country. "These old Morisco-Spanish subjects"is the language of one of his published letters"have a charm that makes me content to write about them at half price. They have so much that is high-minded, and chivalrous, and quaint, and picturesque, and at times half comic, about them."