Unbeaten Tracks in Japan


Read by Availle

(4.5 stars; 56 reviews)

Isabella Lucy Bird was a 19th century English traveller, writer, and natural historian. She was a sickly child, however, while she was travelling she was almost always healthy. Her first trip, in 1854, took her to America, visiting relatives. Her first book, The Englishwoman in America was published anonymously two years later.

Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is compiled of the letters she sent to her sister during her 7 months sojourn in Japan in 1878. Her travels there took her from Edo (now called Tokyo) through the interior - where she was often the first foreigner the locals had met - to Niigata, and from there to Aomori. There she crossed over to Yezo (Hokkaido), and her account on the life of the Ainu, an indigenous people of Japan, provides an interesting glimpse of days long past. (Summary by Availle) (0 hr 56 min)

Chapters

Preface 6:31 Read by Availle
Letter I 13:45 Read by Availle
Letter II 3:09 Read by Availle
Letter III 12:58 Read by Availle
Letter IV 13:46 Read by Availle
Letter V 28:00 Read by Availle
Letter VI part 1 24:30 Read by Availle
Letter VI part 2 21:18 Read by Availle
Letter VII 5:43 Read by Availle
Letter VIII 20:46 Read by Availle
Letter IX 6:46 Read by Availle
Letter X part 1 17:17 Read by Availle
Letter X part 2 8:55 Read by Availle
Letter X part 3 8:08 Read by Availle
Letter XI 31:30 Read by Availle
Letter XII part 1 10:35 Read by Availle
Letter XII part 2 5:29 Read by Availle
Letter XIII 18:46 Read by Availle
Letter XIV 6:53 Read by Availle
Letter XV 10:37 Read by Availle
Letter XVI 13:33 Read by Availle
Letter XVII 20:49 Read by Availle
Letter XVIII 21:02 Read by Availle
Letter XIX 16:58 Read by Availle
Letter XX part 1 6:27 Read by Availle
Letter XX part 2 15:16 Read by Availle
Letter XX part 3 5:34 Read by Availle
Letter XXI 10:35 Read by Availle
Letter XXII 4:20 Read by Availle
Letter XXIII 10:07 Read by Availle
Letter XXIV 11:39 Read by Availle
Letter XXV 11:56 Read by Availle
Letter XXVI 19:39 Read by Availle
Letter XXVII 10:31 Read by Availle
Letter XXVIII part 1 16:12 Read by Availle
Letter XXVIII part 2 8:01 Read by Availle
Letter XXIX 6:10 Read by Availle
Letter XXX 5:55 Read by Availle
Letter XXXI 5:36 Read by Availle
Letter XXXII 15:33 Read by Availle
Letter XXXIII 4:26 Read by Availle
Letter XXXIV 3:45 Read by Availle
Letter XXXV part 1 37:07 Read by Availle
Letter XXXV part 2 6:11 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVI part 1 20:02 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVI part 2 23:20 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVII part 1 15:54 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVII part 2 22:23 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVII part 3 30:00 Read by Availle
Letter XXXVIII 8:01 Read by Availle
Letter XXXIX part 1 18:24 Read by Availle
Letter XXXIX part 2 6:48 Read by Availle
Letter XL part 1 16:56 Read by Availle
Letter XL part 2 14:07 Read by Availle
Letter XLI 22:22 Read by Availle
Letter XLII 3:54 Read by Availle
Letter XLIII 3:57 Read by Availle
Letter XLIV 7:33 Read by Availle

Reviews

A fascinating listen


(4.5 stars)

A fascinating glimpse into another world and another time. I really enjoyed the narrative. Well written and well read for the most part, just some mispronunciation of English words distracted me a little.

Beautiful and harrowing


(5 stars)

An absolute treasure of a story from Japan's rocky but intriguing past. The descriptions of Japan's vast and wild landscape is both extraordinary and haunting, including horrendous animal abuse and the fascinating life of the aborigines. Isabella is such an inspiration and has definitely awoken a strong wanderlust in me. The reason I chose this book in the first place is the calm and earthly voice of the reader. Her pronunciations of any japanese words is without fault and is a treat to listen to. keep up the good work!


(4.5 stars)

I have listened to this many times - Availle is a fantastic reader & there's so much to learn about old Japan seen through the eyes of a Victorian Englishwoman with all the prejudice & primness of the time but still, there is a lot of valuable information here - life was so very different not so long ago - naked men everywhere and straw boots for horses & silent staring crowds attending - great journey!

One very adventurous woman


(5 stars)

A wonderful insight into pre-modern Japan. Passing through at times very rough tracks in sometimes very bad weather Isabella Bird proves to be a determined traveler. The writing is elegant and compelling. Wonderfully read by Availle who has lovely clear tone.

What a woman!


(5 stars)

Such a fascinating account of an unexplored time in Japanese history. Isabella Bird is surely an intrepid traveler. The reader is excellent and makes the book come alive: Ms. Bird hardly needs help with that. Her descriptive narrative is faultless.

Couldn't put it down


(5 stars)

Beautifully read glimpse into old Japan, heavily filtered through western ideas of civilization, though very open minded. One of the best first person travel logs I have read.

Japan in 1878


(5 stars)

Interesting account of Ms. Bird’s travels in Japan. The reader is excellent and can read the foreign names smoothly.

Reflections of a tough old Bird


(5 stars)

Very informative observations about pre-industrial, post Edo era Japan well and intelligently read.