About this book
When Robert Louis Stevenson, author of *Treasure Island*, decided to travel from Scotland to California in steerage, he embarked on far more than a simple voyage—he undertook a social experiment that would challenge Victorian class prejudices and reveal the hidden world of 19th-century emigration. In July 1879, the celebrated Scottish writer boarded a ship bound for Sandy Hook, determined to experience firsthand how working-class passengers endured the grueling Atlantic crossing. Though friends persuaded him to purchase a second-cabin ticket, Stevenson still lived among the "lower" classes, documenting their struggles, characters, and stories with unflinching honesty.
*The Amateur Emigrant* stands as a remarkable piece of travel memoir and social commentary, offering an intimate portrait of ordinary people navigating displacement and hope. Stevenson's keen observations cut through the pretense of his era, capturing vivid scenes of fellow passengers, the harsh realities of ship life, and his own evolving perspective on class and human dignity. So controversial was his sympathetic portrayal that his own father objected to publication, keeping this powerful work from readers for years.
Perfect for anyone fascinated by Victorian literature, social history, or authentic travel narratives, this audiobook reveals the literary giant as a compassionate observer of humanity at its most vulnerable and resilient.
