Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish essayist, poet, novelist, and travel writer. His most famous works are Kidnapped, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Treasure Island. Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes was published in 1879 and is considered to be one of the earliest books of outdoor recreational literature. Stevenson was in his 20’s when he wrote this work. He was living at home and needed money to be with the woman he loved. He also craved adventure. Stevenson’s chronicles his 12-day, 120-mile solo hiking journey through the sparsely populated and impoverished areas of the Cevennes mountains in south-central France. Modestine was a stubborn donkey that Stevenson could never out wit. This is one of the first examples of outdoor hiking and camping as a sport. The sleeping bag Stevenson used was so heavy that is required a donkey to carry it. Besides the adventure Stevenson also speaks on the issues concerning the Protestants and Catholics in the area.