This beloved account about an intrepid young Englishman on the first leg of his walk from London to Constantinople is simply one of the best works of travel literature ever written. At the age of eighteen, Patrick Leigh Fermor set off from the heart of London on an epic journey—to walk to Constantinople. A Time of Gifts is the rich account of his adventures as far as Hungary, after which Between the Woods and the Water continues the story to the Iron Gates that divide the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. Acclaimed for its sweep and intelligence, Leigh Fermor’s book explores a remarkable moment in time. Hitler has just come to power but war is still ahead, as he walks through a Europe soon to be forever changed—through the Lowlands to Mitteleuropa, to Teutonic and Slav heartlands, through the baroque remains of the Holy Roman Empire; up the Rhine, and down to the Danube. At once a memoir of coming-of-age, an account of a journey, and a dazzling exposition of the English language, A Time of Gifts is also a portrait of a continent already showing ominous signs of the holocaust to come.
Trilogy Series
This epic travelogue trilogy follows a young man on his adventurous trek across Europe to Constantinople, driven by a profound desire for discovery. Sleeping in humble shelters and grand estates alike, he embarks on a journey rich with unexpected encounters and poetic contemplation. The series masterfully blends historical landscapes with personal reflections, capturing a deep sense of 'Sehnsucht'—a longing for the unknown. It's a vibrant celebration of youth, exploration, and the boundless spirit of adventure.
Recommended Reading Order
Between the Woods and the Water
On Foot to Constantinople from the Hook of Holland
- 248 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Continuing the epic foot journey across Europe begun in A Time of Gifts The journey that Patrick Leigh Fermor set out on in 1933—to cross Europe on foot with an emergency allowance of one pound a day—proved so rich in experiences that when much later he sat down to describe them, they overflowed into more than one volume. Undertaken as the storms of war gathered, and providing a background for the events that were beginning to unfold in Central Europe, Leigh Fermor's still-unfinished account of his journey has established itself as a modern classic. Between the Woods and the Water , the second volume of a projected three, has garnered as many prizes as its celebrated predecessor, A Time of Gifts . The opening of the book finds Leigh Fermor crossing the Danube—at the very moment where his first volume left off. A detour to the luminous splendors of Prague is followed bya trip downriver to Budapest, passage on horseback acrossthe Great Hungarian Plain, and a crossing of the Romanian border into Transylvania. Remote castles, mountain villages,monasteries and towering ranges that are the haunt of bears, wolves, eagles, gypsies, and a variety of sects are all savoredin the approach to the Iron Gates, the division between the Carpathian mountains and the Balkans, where, for now, the story ends.
The Broken Road: From the Iron Gates to Mount Athos
- 392 pages
- 14 hours of reading
The book, published in 2013 by John Murray in Great Britain, delves into a captivating narrative that explores unique themes and character dynamics. It offers readers an insightful journey through its well-crafted plot, engaging settings, and thought-provoking ideas that resonate with contemporary issues. The author’s distinctive voice and style enhance the reading experience, making it a compelling addition to any literary collection.