The Zincali: An Account of the Gypsies of Spain

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Borrow, George, 1803-1881

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Zincali: An Account of the Gypsies of Spain" by George Borrow is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The text explores the complex lives and culture of the Gypsy people in Spain, highlighting their struggles, societal interactions, and unique traditions. Borrow's extensive personal experience with the Gypsies informs his observations, as he aims to present a portrayal of the community based on firsthand encounters rather than theoretical assumptions. At the start of the book, Borrow introduces the topic through a preface that outlines the motivations behind his work, emphasizing his intention to document the real-life experiences of the Gypsies, referred to as Gitanos in Spain. He acknowledges the peculiar circumstances in which the book was written, primarily during his time in Spain while carrying out missionary work. The opening passages also hint at the author's deep fascination with the Gypsy race and foreshadow a detailed exploration of their historical context, societal roles, and the varied perspectives of both Gypsies and Spaniards towards one another. Overall, Borrow's work promises to challenge common misconceptions about this enigmatic group while revealing the richness of their culture. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Transcribed from the 1901 John Murray edition by David Price

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zincali

Reading ease score: 52.2 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 1996-06-01