The Spirit of Rome

"The Spirit of Rome" by Vernon Lee is a thoughtful travel journal from the end of the 1800s, where the author shares what she felt and thought while walking through Rome and seeing places full of history. Lee looks at ideas like missing the past, the beauty and the falling apart of things, and how the city's energy lasts. She walks through the streets and visits landmarks trying to figure out what they really mean. The book starts by talking about how Lee feels about Rome, remembering what it was like growing up there and how it feels to come back after so many years. She compares how she remembers things, like the buildings and scenery, with how amazed she is by how much Rome affects her feelings. She uses strong descriptions to show the lively details and history of the city and its monuments, also showing how she struggles with seeing both the greatness and the decline of the city. This beginning prepares us for a trip that mixes what she thinks and feels with big ideas about what makes this ancient city special.