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Tales of the Alhambra Audiobook
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(3.02) - 783 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
One of the most entertaining travelogues ever written, Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra is a heady mix of fact, myth, and depictions of secret chambers, desperate battles, imprisoned princesses, palace ghosts, and fragrant gardens, described in a wistful and dreamlike eloquence. Irving, who also penned "Rip Van Winkle" and "Sleepy Hollow," wrote Tales of the Alhambra during a stay at the legendary Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra is a combination fort, palace, and gardens dating from the thirteenth century, filled with fantastic Arabic architecture (ornate plasterwork, ceramic tiles, sculpted marble fountains, and archways) and plenty of room for imagining the days of its former greatness, which Irving brings to life most memorably.
Even though Tales of the Alhambra is over 170 years old, it seems as if it was written yesterday. There are tales of princes, genies, lost and found loves, enchanted treasures, battles, hellish headless horses, and commentary on the Spanish landscape and nature of the Spaniards that he lives with. Full of bewitching music, the smell of roses and exotic perfumes, fiery sunsets, and the ghosts of the past, Tales of the Alhambra is a sensory treat as well.
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"Reading it for an upcoming trip to Southern Spain. So it wasn't on the extensive reading list provided. So it was written in 1822 and may be a wee bit out of date, But I ask you how much has this ancient castle changed? So it may have been shaken a bit by earthquakes or two. Big deal!. Has the fundamental character of the Spaniards changed? I doubt it. Irving is a great traveling companion, delightfully observant, excellent writer, a travel companion par excellence. Have it on my Kindle along with Don Quixote for travel companions par excellence!"
— Audrey (4 out of 5 stars)
Tales of the Alhambra Listener Reviews
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" I liked the short stories that were legends of the Alhambra, in particular, to explain many of the existent locations there. Some of the stories were engaging, others were slightly dull. Started this book (on Kindle) last September, and finally finished it this evening. One thing to note is that the "book" version had many of the stories in a different order than in the Kindle version. I'm not sure why. "
— Rrlgrrl, 2/10/2014 -
" Well written. Lots of details about the Alhambra. "
— Claudia, 2/7/2014 -
" Never knew Washington Irving was so interesting until I read this book. Great background info on Spain. I really enjoy Irving's style of description! "
— Jeff, 1/28/2014 -
" I read this book before my trip to Granada, Spain last December, and I was so glad I did. I was able to appreciate more my visit to The Alhambra--a world heritage site everyone should visit before one dies--simply beautiful; the book and The Alhambra. "
— Kayf, 1/20/2014 -
" Muslim Spain according to European traveller Washington Irving. Beautiful pictures. "
— solitude, 1/17/2014 -
" Lovely book. I highly encourage anyone traveling to southern Spain to read this before going or on your journey. Washington Irving describes the place with the eye of a jounalist and the heart of a poet. The stories really enriched my trip to Granada. "
— Fig, 12/25/2013 -
" A beautiful Granada's view, at about the year 1829. "
— Maria, 12/14/2013 -
" precious tales, while reading you feel like plonging in another world, perfect descriptions "
— Julia888, 12/5/2013 -
" Neat book. Half travelogue, half tales from the Arabian Nights. Lots of fun, and I wish I'd been able to read it *before* I visited the Alhambra. "
— Hypatia, 11/3/2013 -
" This book of tales added to the experience I had of visiting the Alhambra in Spring 1993. "
— Christine, 9/30/2013 -
" Definitely one of my favorite books! I've read it twice now. Once before we went to Spain and again when we were in Spain. The stories are wonderful and I will definitely read this over and over through the years. "
— Cindy, 9/17/2013 -
" I pretty much agree with the other reviewers about how charming and readable this book is inspite of its age. "
— David, 9/14/2013 -
" A romantic travel notes by a romantic traveler. Irving definitely shows how much he is in love with Alhambra and Andalusia. As I also do. Although I am just not sure whether it is still possible to be a romantic traveler in this age of commodified traveling... "
— Irwan, 5/29/2013 -
" We bought this book at a book store in the Alhambra (Granada, Spain) when we visited last April, I am now finally reading it. I don't know if I would enjoy this book as much if I hadn't been there. "
— Nicole, 5/24/2013 -
" Fascinating, considering their origin. "
— Scheherazade, 5/6/2013 -
" Again, not a favourite, but the right kind of book to have read this holiday... "
— Alexandra, 11/17/2012 -
" I loved this--the style was simple and magical--I may be particularly biased because I actually visited the alhambra while I was reading it, but I loved it! "
— Dani, 3/8/2012 -
" I love this book, and I wish I had read it a second time while I was living in Granada. Great tales of all different types, and I like to believe that it's a part of Granada's oral history. Whether it is or not, who knows...well someone probably does, but I don't. "
— Jason, 9/21/2011 -
" You must make a point of seeing the Alhambra in Granada, Spain -- gorgeous! The book relates stories and legends about this fortress and the author's travels, but it was hard for me to stay engaged throughout. "
— Lynn, 7/20/2011
About Washington Irving
Washinton Irving (1783–1859), American essayist, novelist, and historian, was born in New York to a wealthy merchant. He studied law, but because of his delicate health, his family sent him on a tour of Europe, where he collected material later used in his stories and essays. The first American author to achieve international fame, his literary career served in many ways to consolidate the cultures of the United States and Europe.
About Kevin Foley
Kevin Foley, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has more than thirty years of experience in radio and television broadcasting, commercial voice-overs, and audiobook narration. He has recorded more than 150 audiobooks, including River Thunder by Gary McCarthy, for which he earned a Spur Award for Best Audiobook from the Western Writers of America.