Forget your standard guidebook. Cosas de España; tomo 2 is something else entirely. It's the second volume of Richard Ford's massive, personal account of his years traveling through Spain in the 1820s and 30s. He wasn't just passing through; he lived there, learned the language, and got deeply into the rhythm of Spanish life.

The Story

There isn't a plot in the traditional sense. Instead, Ford takes us on a journey through the country's regions, cities, and soul. He describes landscapes so vividly you can almost feel the Andalusian sun. He writes about art and architecture with the eye of a connoisseur, but he's just as focused on the people. You'll read about muleteers, innkeepers, smugglers, and nobles. He goes to bullfights and religious festivals, gets caught up in local politics, and shares his strong opinions on everything from food to fashion. The 'story' is the unfolding picture of a nation caught between its glorious past and an uncertain future, all filtered through Ford's witty and perceptive gaze.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because it feels alive. Ford isn't a detached observer; he's in the thick of it. His writing is packed with funny anecdotes, sharp criticisms, and moments of genuine awe. You get the sense of a man who is both charmed and frustrated by Spain, and that tension makes his observations crackle. He captures details a historian might overlook—the smell of a marketplace, the sound of a guitar at night, the exhausting bump of a carriage on a terrible road. Reading it, you don't just learn facts about 19th-century Spain; you feel like you've been there. It’s a masterclass in travel writing that prioritizes experience over simple description.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for travelers, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys a brilliant, character-filled narrative. If you like books that transport you completely to another time and place, Ford is your guy. Be warned: his views are very much of his time, so some passages require a bit of historical context. But if you can look past that, you'll find an incredible, firsthand portrait of a country from a writer who truly saw it all. It's not a quick read, but it's a deeply rewarding one.