Journey to Mauritius

Structured into a series of letters, Bernardin's survey of Mauritius includes a detailed description of the island's geography, and flora and fauna. Describing the closed nature of colonial society, he also provides a chilling picture of the cruelties of plantation life and slavery. Bernardin's book of 1773 Voyage a L'Isle de France, is an early example of a walking guide as he details the sights and landscapes of Mauritius. The introduction to this volume sets Bernardin's travel account into its historical context, discussing his life and ideas as well as the hostility the book provoked when first published. It also explores the book's contribution to travel writing and its relevance to modern-day Mauritius.