Rees, Joan (1998). Amelia Edwards: Traveller, Novelist and Egyptologist. London: Rubicon Press. p.69. ISBN 0-948695-61-7. journey. He is welcomed by the Gods, ushered into the presence of Osiris, and received into the Abode of the Blest. 29 Left: A new cover, designed by Deena Mohamed, referencing Amelia's original watercolour, while also raising questions about whose perception of Egypt we are reading and what other narratives remain unheard. Also, of course, it comes with the territory that Edwards had a very anthropological (read: colonial) approach to the different peoples she encountered along the way. It's not unexpected, but still not delightful to read. Amelia Edwards enjoyed travel, spending much time in France and Italy. While in Italy, she would travel with her friend Lucy Renshaw. She is simply referred to as “L” in Edwards’ diaries. 3 This is unusual, yet bold for women during the 19th century when women traveling alone, even if in a pair, was not always socially acceptable. Yet, Amelia and Lucy did not let this stop them. The two women went on a pioneering journey of the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy. According to her book on their journey, Amelia and Lucy set out in June 1872. 4 They traveled via train to Venice. From Venice, they left civilization behind, and headed towards the Dolomites. The Dolomite ranges contained almost no roads, scarce and simple accommodations with little comforts. 5 But Amelia, along with Lucy, were determined, no matter what obstacles or challenges they may have encountered. She wanted to write a detailed book that included all aspects of the area, good and bad, especially those off the beaten path. Her artistic skills came in handy in creating maps along the way.

By using this service, you agree that you will only keep content for personal use, and will not openly distribute them via Dropbox, Google Drive or other file sharing services Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards was born in London, England on June 7, 1831. Her father Thomas was a retired army officer who became a banker after his service ended. Her mother was of Irish decent. Amelia was educated at home by her mother, and displayed talent in art and music. But she especially showed promise as a writer at a very young age. By the 1850s, Amelia began her career as a journalist and writer. 1 In 1855, her first novel My Brother’s Wife was published. Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, Amelia published several short stories and novels, many centered on travel. 2 Although Amelia Edwards had brief travels in her early journalism years, her most memorable, and documented journeys came after her parents’ death in 1860. After their passing, Amelia had little reason or desire to remain in London. She would take this opportunity to travel more herself, instead of just writing about it. From her experiences would come several great stories.some loftier. In some the descent is gradual; in others it is steep and sudden. Certain leading features are common to all. The great serpent,

Coming out for a moment into blinding daylight, we drink a long draught of pure air, cross a few yards of uneven ground, arrive at the mouth of another excavation, and plunge again into underground darkness. A third and a fourth time we repeat this strange experience. It is like a feverish sleep troubled by gruesome dreams, and broken by momentary wakings.The book has two great strengths. The first is that it describes, often in detail, the archaeological remains as they were in 1873-74; many have been subsequently damaged, destroyed, or relocated (e.g. Philae and Abu Simbel in 1968 because of the Aswan Dam). While written descriptions can become tedious, most of Edwards' are quite vivid. Even when she fails (on the hall of Seti I at Karnak), she is eloquent: at the top of the leaf in pure cobalt, and passes imperceptibly down to a tint that is almost emerald green at the bottom. 19 a b c d e f g Rees, Joan (1998). Amelia Edwards Traveller, Novelist & Egyptologist. London: The Rubicon Press. pp.25–31. willingly have added a double pipe or a cocoa-nut fiddle 1 to the strength of the band, but none of our that royal race were massacred just sixty-four years ago. 1 This mosque, built within the precincts of