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Journey to Mauritius

Jacques-Henri Bernardin De Saint-Pierre author Bernardin De Saint-Pierre author Jason Wilson translator Jason Wilson editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Signal Books Ltd

Published:15th Oct '02

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Journey to Mauritius cover

Structured into a series of letters, Bernardin's survey of Mauritius includes a detailed description of the island's geography, and flora and fauna. Describing the closed nature of colonial society, he also provides a chilling picture of the cruelties of plantation life and slavery. Bernardin's book of 1773 "Voyage a L'Isle de France", is an early example of a walking guide as he details the sights and landscapes of Mauritius. The introduction to this volume sets Bernardin's travel account into its historical context, discussing his life and ideas as well as the hostility the book provoked when first published. It also explores the book's contribution to travel writing and its relevance to modern-day Mauritius.

"The most remarkable parts of the book are Bernadin's descriptions of the island's slaves, brought from Madagascar to work the sugar-cane fields. Bernadin was one of the first to denounce slavery having witnessed it...a fascinating record of eighteenth century colonial life and an inspiring example of independent thought." The Tablet

ISBN: 9781902669496

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 305g

256 pages