Edmond About’s De Pontoise à Stamboul is a delightful romp from provincial France to the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Our hero, a perfectly average fellow from Pontoise, suddenly finds his life upended by a peculiar inheritance from a distant relative. To claim his fortune, he must present himself in Constantinople (Stamboul) by a specific date. The book follows his frantic, often hilarious, journey as he navigates coaches, boats, and all sorts of mishaps to reach his destination in time.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a stuffy period piece. About has a sharp, witty eye for the absurdities of travel and human nature. The charm lies in watching an everyday man grapple with the unexpected. The real joy is in the details—the quirky people he meets, the bureaucratic nightmares, and the vivid snapshots of 1850s Europe and Turkey. It’s a character study wrapped in an adventure, asking what we do when life throws us a completely ridiculous curveball.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoys light historical fiction with a lot of heart and humor. If you like stories about journeys, clever social observation, or just a good old-fashioned quest with a sense of fun, pick this up. It’s a forgotten gem that feels fresher and more entertaining than many modern tales.