Set during the ‘Seven Years War’ between England and France, ‘A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy’ was one of Sterne’s last works.
Seen as the epilogue to his ‘Tristram Shandy’ books (later adapted for film, as ‘A Cock and Bull Story´, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon), it tells the tale of Yorick, as he travels between the two countries.
While visiting Paris, Yorick is discovered to be without a passport. When he flees to Versailles in order to get one, he is mistaken for the jester in Shakespeare's ‘Hamlet’. Will he be able to escape imprisonment, or is the game up for our hero?
A superb satire on another author’s less-than-sentimental travelogue through the same countries.
Born in Ireland, Laurence Sterne (1713 – 1768) was the son of a commissioned officer in the British army. As a result, the first 10 years of his life were spent travelling from place to place. However, at the age of 11, he was sent to boarding school in England, under the care of his brother. After leaving Jesus College with a Bachelor of Arts, he was ordained both a priest and a deacon.
While he had previously written for the ‘York Gazetteer’, Sterne's uncle encouraged him to write for political journals, much to the consternation of the rest of the family. This was followed by his first novel, ´A Political Romance,’ which also put religion under the spotlight.
After failing in the role of a farmer, he wrote his most famous book, ‘The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.’ Six years later, he was to become part of the abolitionist movement, after publicly replying to a letter from former slave, writer, and composer, Ignatius Sancho.
Sterne died in London, aged 54.
