The Book of Margery Kempe (Oxford World's Classics)
Product ID: 40815258
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The Book of Margery Kempe is the extraordinary account of a medieval wife, mother, and mystic. The earliest autobiography in English, it describes Kempe's transformation from businesswoman to pilgrim, her visions, hostile encounters with clergy and travels to holy sites abroad. This new translation provides full introduction and notes. Review: Unique Book - Interesting book. It’s prefaced with lots of scholarly history and documentation about how the book came to be written and lost and rediscovered. Tons of references and footnotes will make the most pedantic reader satisfied. Admittedly, it’s pretty much for a niche audience in the 21st Century, but for those of us interested in women in English history (especially relating to their spiritual lives), this is a one-of-a-kind read. Review: excellent, very interesting book, learn a lot about medieval times and this very independent woman - fascinating. i heard the translator's interview on NPR and was hooked on learning more about Margery Kempe and her times.
| Best Sellers Rank | #207,416 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5,806 in Classic Literature & Fiction #11,923 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 110 Reviews |
C**L
Unique Book
Interesting book. It’s prefaced with lots of scholarly history and documentation about how the book came to be written and lost and rediscovered. Tons of references and footnotes will make the most pedantic reader satisfied. Admittedly, it’s pretty much for a niche audience in the 21st Century, but for those of us interested in women in English history (especially relating to their spiritual lives), this is a one-of-a-kind read.
P**J
excellent, very interesting book, learn a lot about medieval times and this very independent woman
fascinating. i heard the translator's interview on NPR and was hooked on learning more about Margery Kempe and her times.
H**Y
A very readable paraphrase of Kempe's original book
A little bit too loose of an English translation. Why change tender to gentle, or verily to truly?
E**R
Five Stars
a nice edition with a good bibliography & a helpful introduction
A**I
A Woman and Her Times.
The Book of Margery Kempe is a difficult book to read. Kempe (like many great people) describes herself in the third person. She was a contemporary of Joan of Arc and may have shared some problems with Joan. Reading this book there are many similarities which are visually depicted in the 1999 movie "The Messenger," a film about Joan of Arc. The outbursts of crying and emotion, the "driven" pilgrimages that she made had an eerie similarity. She was the first medieval female English author to tell of her relationship with God. Her religious zeal almost gave her over to the flame, as questions she had to doctrines could have become hazardous to ask. The book gives you a front row seat to the life and times of pre-Reformation England, nasty, brutish and short. All in all this is a book for any serious student of Medieval or Reformation history to read as difficult as it is.
C**R
This chicks crazy
Had to buy it for school, but wouldnt recommend it as a quality read though, unless you enjoy the ramblings of a madwoman.
N**D
I found it tedious to read and absorb
I didn't get the book. I found it tedious to read and absorb. Just wasn't the kind of book that I enjoy. Thank you.
K**R
Three Stars
It was okay
D**R
The Book of Margery Kempe
It's like stepping ino the hearts and minds of the Middle Ages. This book may not be an easy read for most people, but it is worth while the effort!
M**S
Fab
Gratefully received
F**N
Very good
A great insight into a medieval life
E**A
Five Stars
Excellent product and service.
P**N
All right for some.
I found this very hard going and I must say, a little boring.
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