Sea and Sardinia

By David Herbert Lawrence and D.H. Lawrence

Book Overview

"Sea and Sardinia" is a vivid and evocative travel narrative that chronicles a journey from Taormina in Sicily to the rugged interior of Sardinia. Written with the signature intensity of D. H. Lawrence, this work is far more than a simple record of travel; it is a profound meditation on the landscapes, people, and spirit of the Mediterranean. Lawrence captures the raw beauty of the Sardinian countryside and the distinct character of its inhabitants with remarkable descriptive prowess.

Throughout the narrative, Lawrence explores themes of cultural identity, the tension between modernity and tradition, and the intrinsic connection between humanity and the natural world. His prose is marked by a sensory richness that brings to life the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the island's marketplaces, villages, and remote paths. This work remains a cornerstone of 20th-century travel literature, offering readers a timeless glimpse into a world Lawrence perceived as being uniquely independent and untouched by the creeping industrialization of the era. "Sea and Sardinia" is an essential read for those interested in literary travelogues and the sharp, observational mastery of one of English literature's most influential figures.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025395468
• ISBN13: 9781025395463
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Acutely revealing, of time, place and writer

As described in the other reviews, and the accompanying comments within the book itself, this is DHL as non-fiction travel writer. Note that it was written after the completion of his major works, and what it says about his views, his relationships, and the immediate post-WWI period in portions of Italy. Particularly fascinating are the local/regional/national and continental attitudes. The more things change, the more they . . .

DHL and the Queen Bee do Sardinia

In 1921, D.H. Lawrence joined the British literary tradition of writing a travelogue. He and wife Frieda, "the Queen Bee," were weary of Sicily where they were staying and selected Sardinia for its promise of unspoiled primitiveness and lack of "tourist-parasites." Though SEA AND SARDINIA follows many of the conventions of the travelogue genre of the time, playing to the market for a foreign experience, moments of wonder mixed with irony and nationalistic-centric sentiments, it is also a self-revealing journal in which Lawrence's passions, rages and perspectives get a frequent work-out. As travelogues go, SEA AND SARDINIA may be found somewhat lacking in the description of landmarks. Lawrence focuses on encounters with the people, who presented a multi-layered lesson in the collision of the ancient with the 20th century and the recent war. In speaking to the audience back home, Lawrence often expresses himself in literary and historical allusion and his musings ring with a psychological resonance that is both intentional and unintentional. The result is an entertaining and informative experience that imparts much about post-war Europe and this particular traveler. This is a fine critical edition. The annotations are discretely listed at the back of the book, with no disruptive footnotes blotting the page. There are also a good map, a glossary of Italian words and phrases and a brief bibliography following the text. A chronology of Lawrence's career precedes it, as does a critical introduction. Despite the quality of the introduction, I heartily recommend reading it AFTER you've enjoyed the text on your own terms, because it gives away some of the surprises (as critical introductions are wont to do).