3,5/5 stars. This is again a very different work by Mary Wollstonecraft. It is letters she wrote while on business for her lover, and father of her child, Gilbert Imlay in 1795 from Scandinavia. It is interesting to hear her thoughts (and judgments, let's be real, it's most judgements) about the different countries and peoples. It is also interesting to note how Romantic this book is and how her sentiments have changed a little from the Vindication when it comes to sensibility, etc. My guess is that motherhood changed her. It was at times tedious and a bit repetitive, though.

I like travel descriptions, but her style doesn’t always agree with me. Nevertheless it’s an interesting read!

I would not have read this book if it had not been for the fact that I did an undergrad module on the Wollstonecraft-Godwin-Shelley family, so I am glad I did! As a Norwegian who has been to all the places Mary Wollstonecraft visits, it was fun to see the countries and its inhabitants through her eyes. This whole journey began as a sort of spy-mission because a ship Mary’s lover had invested in had disappeared (if I remember correctly). All that is pretty glossed over, though. These letters were all edited by Wollstonecraft later, which is a bit disappointing. But it is fun to read her snarky high-brow comments on how stupid and politically ignorant the Norwegians and Swedes are. (I was a bit insulted, but at least Norway was the most beautiful country according to her, hah). This is one of the very first travel narratives ever written, and Wollstonecraft has an enjoyable way with words, so I do recommend this book if that’s your thing!

Read for Frankenstein's Forbearers!!!
Long and dramatic descriptions of scenery and the people from the North.

In the back are the personal letters she was writing at the time to The Worst Man Ever and I read two of them and I got very sad. Very sad.