Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women
by Hetta Howes
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN 9781399408738
This book is an exploration of the lives of medieval women, organized (albeit sometimes very loosely) around the lives of four women: Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan, and Margery Kempe. These were 'four different women who defied the expectations of their time and wrote back against the misogyny they experienced.' The author uses their own writing as well as other sources to describe what life was like for women, moving from childbirth to death, including marriage, adultery, travel, making a living, and influence in between. She states that all four of these women were 'trying to craft a legacy that would endure.' This book and others are witness to the fact that they succeeded, even if their work was unknown for a time.
This is a very enjoyable and informative book. It provides a fascinating glimpse into another time as well as showing us how some things continue hundreds of years later. It's a very readable book--lots of information but written in a very accessible style. If women's history in particular or medieval history in general interests you, then this is a great book to pick up.
I thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
8 comments:
This book sounds fascintaing. It's too bad there are so many interesting sounding books out there and there isn't enough time to read everything many of us would like to read. Do you agree?
I completely agree! The books keep coming and time keeps passing and my TBR gets ever longer--LOL
I am so pleased you highlight books like this, it does a very interesting and as Erika said a fascinating read.
All the best Jan
The book sounds quite fascinating, and I can think of people stuck in a medieval mindset for who it might sound like current events! Thanks as always for a well-crafted review, Shari. The publisher and the author are lucky to have use of your skills.
Thanks, Jan. I learn so much from books :-)
Thanks, David. It's truly sad how some things do not change and how frightened people are when they do--and how they casually laugh off the changes they should be concerned about (like the climate emergency).
I'm so thankful that I didn't live in that time!
It definitely wasn't easy for the women in the book.
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