Dreams, Waking Thoughts and Incidents

by William Beckford

A series of letters composed by William Beckford as a result of a grand tour on the continent in 1780-81, 'Dreams, Waking Thoughts and Incidents' is not simply a travel journal, but a composition which provides occasional glimpses into the inner thoughts and dreams of the author.

Genres: English Literature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1783

About the author

William Thomas Beckford was an English novelist, a profligate and consummately knowledgeable art collector and patron of works of decorative art, a critic, travel writer and sometime politician, reputed at one stage in his life to be the richest commoner in England. His parents were William Beckford and Maria Hamilton, daughter of the Hon. George Hamilton. He was Member of Parliament for Wells from 1784 to 1790, for Hindon from 1790 to 1795 and 1806 to 1820.

He is remembered as the author of the Gothic novel Vathek (1786), the builder of the remarkable lost Fonthill Abbey and Lansdown Tower ("Beckford's Tower"), Bath, and especially for his art collection.

Reviews

[Lytle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even solemn Holland enthusiasts like the Chadwicks acknowledge the brilliance of his snide dismissals; and he's equally good when he has his positive freak on. This is description as radical appropriation.