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A review by ginates
Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark by Mary Wollstonecraft
4.0
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!