The Innocents Abroad

Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress

By: Mark Twain

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

In June 1867, Mark Twain set out for Europe and the Holy Land on the paddle steamer Quaker City. His enduring, no-nonsense guide for the first-time traveler also served as an antidote to the insufferably romantic travel books of the period.

“Who could read the programme for the excursion without longing to make one of the party?”

So Mark Twain acclaims his voyage from New York City to Europe and the Holy Land. His adventures produced The Innocents Abroad, a book so funny and provocative it made him an international star for the rest of his life. He was making his first responses to the Old World—to Paris, Milan, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Constantinople, Sebastopol, Balaklava, Damascus, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. For the first time he was seeing the great paintings and sculptures of the Old Masters. He responded with wonder and amazement but also with exasperation, irritation, and disbelief. Above all he displayed the great energy of his humor, more explosive for us now than for his beguiled contemporaries.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A classic work…[that] marks a critical point in the development of our literature.” (Leslie A. Fiedler, literary critic)

Twain raises expectations, unmet

This is a journal of his trip in 1867 to France, Italy, and the Holy land, missing a few due to plague and quarantine. Twain is sometimes surprisingly biased and it's often not clever or funny. He is unfailingly credulous about Christianity, albeit critical of Roman Catholicism, and dismissive of all Arabs, most Italians, and many other foreigners. His cleverness surfaces describing himself and fellow travelers, but too rarely. Overlong.

Travel in Another Era

Twain at his cynical best, serving up a seemingly endless string of yarns about his 1867 voyage to Europe, The Holy Land and other stops along the way. The six month journey brought forth every reaction from delight to disgust. A trip back in time…

Love the book, but narrator too "affected"

This is a fantastic book, especially for anyone who loves travel and Twain's style of common sense. What a trip! I'd love to recreate it some day. I don't like the narrator, though. He has a folksy Twain-like rhythm to his voice that really wore on me during the long drive I bought this for. Like a thick wall of affected acting that I could get through. I quit less than halfway and picked up the paperback to read instead.

cant get past the pace ad tone

Any additional comments?

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was hoping. Twain is a terrific storyteller but the pace and tons of the narrative made me feel like I was being scolded.

World trip from your chair

The people and places were like you were there. The descriptions were like you were there experiencing the trip. Traveling opens the mind and the heart.

Magnificent

Twains observations from 150 years ago are clever, interesting and inspiring. He pokes fun at everyone especially his own ignorance and unsophisticated demeanor with good natured fun. I’ll listen to this again, maybe when I take a “pleasure cruise” to the holy land myself

A great book in so many ways

Great book in so many ways. Entertaining, very funny and surprisingly educational. Narrator did a fantastic job. Throughly enjoyed this book and hated for it to end. This book is a must have.

Journey with Twain

Narration is exceptional. Feels like Twain is reading it himself. Such an epic journey and hilarious tales.

Laughing 🤣 out loud at work

This was my very first Mark Twain book. And I think I picked the right one to get myself hooked.
The humor is frank and yet very subtle.
Radically american mindset and yet refreshingly open minded.

Malick Tchakpedeou
#malicktchakpedeou

Unbelievably Great!

I can't say anything here that hasn't been written in the other reviews, but I just want to confirm that this is an absolutely astounding audiobook. So great! I've never read anything by Twain except his most famous books in school. As crazy as it seems, I had no idea how great Twain's writing is! There are sections where Twain's acerbic wit had me laughing so hard I had to rewind and listen to it again. His observations of cultures and religion are incredible as they are as accurate today as they were then. Also, from a historical perspective, it's an insight into the time period, the prejudices and common way of thinking are sad to hear of course, but life in a world before the internal combustion engine and the telephone is fascinating.

Grover Gardner is one of the best narrators there is, and he was perfect for this book, making it all come alive.

This is one of those audiobooks where you're sad when it's over because it was just so enjoyable. Must listen.