
audiobook
A former diplomatic secretary writes a vivid travelogue through the high valleys of the Tyrol, where rugged peaks loom over sleepy alpine villages. His observations blend the crisp detail of mountain life with the quiet drama of local intrigue, as he waits for a passport that feels like a test of his own secrets. Along the way he discovers the story of a blind orphan turned master sculptor, whose wooden saints now grace distant palaces. The narrative balances the grandeur of snow‑capped summits with the intimate rhythms of village customs.
Leaving the mist‑shrouded Nauders, the diarist journeys toward Meran, a town where glaciers meet vineyards and narrow arches shelter bustling stalls. Evening light drapes the courtyards in a mysterious glow, hinting at hidden passages and whispered histories. Through lyrical description and understated humor, the memoir invites listeners to wander the Alpine roads, feeling the chill of the wind and the warm pulse of local culture.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (341K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2010-07-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1806–1872
Remembered for lively Irish novels packed with wit, adventure, and sharp social observation, this 19th-century writer became one of the great popular entertainers of his day. He also drew on an eventful life as a doctor, traveler, and diplomat, which gave his fiction its restless energy.
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