Picking up where the first volume left off, Voyage en Espagne du Chevalier Saint-Gervais (2 de 2) follows our French nobleman as he continues his grand tour of Spain. The initial wonder of new landscapes and customs begins to wear thin, replaced by a sharper, more observant eye. Saint-Gervais moves from being a wide-eyed tourist to something closer to an amateur sociologist. He doesn't just describe a bullfight; he ponders the crowd's reaction. He notes the stark contrast between the grandeur of the aristocracy and the struggles of everyday people. The plot is less a sequence of events and more a deepening of perception, as the Chevalier's journey becomes an internal one, questioning his own prejudices and European ideals against the vibrant, complicated reality of Spain.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me wasn't a wild plot twist, but the quiet evolution of the main character. Lantier writes with a witty, self-aware voice that makes a 250-year-old traveler feel like someone you could chat with. Saint-Gervais is charmingly flawed—sometimes pretentious, often baffled, but genuinely trying to make sense of a world different from his own. The book is a fascinating look at how travel can change a person, long before the age of Instagram and package tours. It’s about the slow, sometimes uncomfortable, process of realizing your own worldview might be limited. Lantier packs these insights into delightful scenes of miscommunication, cultural clashes, and beautiful descriptions that make old Spain come alive.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for readers who love historical settings but want more than just drama and dates. It’s for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories where the biggest battles are philosophical. If you’ve ever returned from a trip feeling slightly different, or if you just enjoy a smart, observant narrator from a bygone era, you’ll find a lot to love here. It’s not a fast-paced thriller; it’s a thoughtful, engaging stroll through history with a very companionable guide. A true hidden gem for the patient and curious reader.