A Sentimental Journey

Sterne's Sentimental Journey is a novel without a plot and a journey without a destination. Here, Sterne records the adventures of the amiable Parson Yorick, as sets off on his travels through France and Italy, relishing his encounters with all manner of men and women, particularly the pretty ones. The tale rapidly moves away from the narrative of travel to become a series of pathetic and ironic incidents, dramatic sketches, philosophical musings, and anecdotes. Here, sharp wit is mixed with gaiety, irony with tender feeling forging a truly original style and establishing Sterne as the first of the stream-of-consciousness writers.