A Voyage of Consolation: (being in the nature of a sequel to the experiences of 'An American girl in London')

In Short

This novel follows an American family, the Wicks, as they navigate the cultural collisions of a European tour. Seeking to distract their daughter after a personal disappointment, the parents encounter a parade of eccentric fellow travelers, rigid social hierarchies, and the inevitable frustrations of international travel. Written with a sharp, observational wit, the narrative captures the friction between American "new money" energy and the stratified traditions of the Old World. It remains a resonant, humorous examination of how travel changes—or fails to change—our perceptions of ourselves and others.

The Story

The story opens in London, where the narrator and her parents, Senator and Mrs. Wick, briefly touch down before embarking on a six-week continental tour. The Senator, a man of practical mind and "reserved criticism," approaches European customs with a mix of bemusement and skepticism, while Mrs. Wick struggles to navigate the social anxieties of being an American abroad. Their journey is intended as a "voyage of consolation" for the daughter, but the true focus quickly shifts to the family’s collective experience of the Continent.

As they move through France and Italy, the trio is rarely alone. They are joined by a rotating cast of characters, including the pompous Mrs. Portheris, a woman deeply invested in the status quo, and various other tourists whose interactions with the Wicks form the core of the drama. Whether they are debating the structural integrity of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, enduring the "unfortunate" habits of local guides, or navigating the intricate social rules of their companions, the family is constantly measuring these experiences against their own American sensibilities.

The journey is far from seamless. The Senator’s attempts to bypass the inefficiency of European bureaucracy—often through headstrong arguments with hotel clerks or interpreters—provide constant tension. Meanwhile, the younger members of the traveling party, including the narrator and her suitor Dicky Dod, navigate their own budding romances amidst the backdrop of ancient ruins and scenic vistas. The social landscape is further complicated by the presence of a Mr. Mafferton, a man who views himself as an "intelligent nuisance" and whose penchant for unsolicited historical commentary serves as a foil to the Senator’s blunt pragmatism.

As they drift through the Rhine, the group’s internal dynamics shift. The initial aim of the trip—the daughter’s recovery—becomes secondary to the broader task of reconciling their identities as Americans with the history they are observing. By the time they reach their final destinations, the characters have not fundamentally transformed, but their views have been sharpened. The Senator’s stubborn pride in his own country remains, yet he has grown more familiar with the "ridiculous" nature of the world outside it. The narrative concludes with the party continuing their travels, the original heartache largely replaced by the shared, often absurd, memories of a summer spent testing their character against the backdrop of Europe.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The family arrives in London, where the Senator immediately assumes an air of "reserved criticism" while his wife frets over the impression they make on hotel staff. They quickly decide that six weeks is the perfect amount of time to "absorb" the Continent, setting the stage for their impending travels.

The descent into Europe In Paris, the Senator’s patience is immediately tested by a harried interpreter, marking the first of many struggles with the inefficiencies of European service. The family ascends the Eiffel Tower, viewing the city as a "ridiculous" map while debating the merits of the guidebooks they so reluctantly consult.

Social collisions in Italy While touring historical sites, the family clashes with the rigid, class-conscious Mrs. Portheris, who refuses to let facts disturb her romanticized view of history. The group’s interactions with other travelers reveal deep-seated tensions between American "capacity for pleasure" and the more subdued, "superior" expectations of their English companions.

The Rhine and final reflections As the journey winds down on a Rhine steamer, the group finds themselves surrounded by hundreds of other tourists, leading to further discussions about their companions. The trip ends not with a grand revelation, but with the quiet realization that their American identity has been firmly tested and solidified by the very "otherness" they sought to explore.

The People

The Senator acts as the family’s anchor, a man who believes in the supremacy of American common sense. He wants to see Europe, but only on his own terms, using humor and political rhetoric to shield himself from feeling inferior to the Old World. Momma is more susceptible to the social pressures of the trip, often worrying about propriety and the judgments of others. The narrator provides the keen, observant perspective that keeps her parents’ antics grounded. Mrs. Portheris serves as the primary antagonist of their sensibilities; she is stiff, judgmental, and fiercely protective of her own misconceptions, representing the rigidity the Americans encounter. Finally, Dicky Dod provides a romantic subplot, his character defined by a slightly more adaptable, youthful energy that eventually helps the narrator navigate the emotional complexities of the tour.

In Its Own Voice

"He went about with his hands in his pockets, smoking large cigars with an air of reserved criticism that vastly impressed the waiters, acquiescing in strawberry jam for breakfast, for example, in a manner which said that, although this might be to him a new and complex custom, he was acquainted with Chicago ones much more recondite."

The Senator establishes his character early by applying a practiced, unimpressed demeanor to his very first encounter with London’s breakfast customs.

"He used, I think the language of exaggeration about it; he said it was the most objectionable article made in Germany."

The narrator dryly describes the Senator’s reaction to the public displays of affection he encounters while traveling by train through the German countryside.

What It's Really About

The book explores the concept of "American identity" through the lens of displacement. It asks whether a traveler can ever truly leave their cultural baggage behind or if they are doomed to view the world only through the filters of their home’s customs. Beneath the humorous complaints about hotel bills and bad service lies a deeper investigation into class, tradition, and the friction between the New World’s forward-looking optimism and the Old World’s reliance on the past. The characters aren't just tourists; they are representatives of a young, confident nation trying to find its footing among the ruins and traditions of empires it doesn't quite understand.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy observational humor and the "fish-out-of-water" trope will find much to love here. The writing is precise and warm, capturing the specific, often hilarious, irritations that arise when one is forced to navigate foreign environments with family. It feels like a precursor to the modern travelogue, though it is distinctly colored by the attitudes of the late 19th century.

Readers should be prepared for the book's period-specific perspectives; some of the social hierarchies and attitudes toward other nationalities reflect the era's prejudices. Additionally, the pacing is leisurely, favoring dialogue and internal monologue over rapid-fire action. Those who appreciate a focus on character dynamics—particularly the interplay between a doting, stubborn father and an observant daughter—will find the length rewarding. What lingers after reading is the sharp, affectionate portrait of a family that remains fundamentally itself, even when thousands of miles from home. It is a gentle, intelligent satire that reminds us that, no matter where we go, we carry our own habits, prejudices, and, occasionally, our own delightful absurdities with us.