Letters from Egypt

Description

Lady Lucie Duff-Gordon’s Letters from Egypt is a candid and beautifully written account of her stay in Egypt and at the same a representation of how Egypt, its culture and its history were viewed in the 1860’s.

Lady Lucie Duff-Gordon travelled to Egypt in order to treat her tuberculosis and she lived in Luxor from 1862 until her death in 1869. Letters from Egypt is a collection of the writings she sent back home to her husband and her mother – wonderful letters in which she describes life in Egypt, she expresses her appreciation of Egyptian culture, customs, religion and history. Despite her illness, Lady Lucie does not spend all her time in Luxor – she sets off on cruises on the Niles, journeys that allow her to provide a detailed account not only of life in the city, but also of the country’s natural beauties and of life in the rural areas, especially in the flourishing lands around the river. She does not hide her political views and social criticism either, making the letters creations of an open-minded, progressive thinker who is sharp and able to grasp the humorous side of the things and events around her as well.

What makes Lady Duff-Gordon’s letters truly remarkable is her complete, yet critical immersion into Egyptian culture – she integrates into the culture around her, she identifies with many of the problems of her chosen country of residence and she is a very talented storyteller as well, able to share her views and experiences in a compelling and fascinating way. The overall tone of the letters is melancholy, especially after Lady Lucie realizes that her travels will not cure her illness, but even so, the collection reads like a very interesting travelogue that describes Egypt as an extraordinary, rich and colorful country, worth visiting and exploring.
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