The Spell of Belgium

A richly detailed portrait of Belgium seen through the enchanted eyes of an American diplomat's wife. Isabel Anderson arrived in Brussels alongside her minister-husband and found herself captivated by a nation caught between old-world grandeur and the shadows of approaching war. Her narrative weaves intimate court encounters, including a royal audience with the Belgian king and queen, alongside vivid observations of daily Belgian life, its cobblestone streets, architectural treasures, artistic traditions, and the quiet resilience of its people. This is not a distant historical survey but a personal journey of discovery, where the author transforms from curious newcomer to devoted admirer. For readers seeking an intimate, affectionate portrait of early twentieth-century Belgium that reads less like a textbook and more like letters from a friend who could not stop falling in love with a country.