In this excellent book, Peggy McCracken subtly and persuasively argues that the marshalling of the non-human animal to construct human being and behaviour as superior, and human power as unassailable, is particularly powerful in medieval literature, which is normally written on animal skin, for the entertainment and enlightenment of aristocrats who are often depicted wearing animal fur. . . . ... Read moreThroughout her book, McCracken engages rigorously and generously with other scholars writing on medieval animal studies; the result is one of the most comprehensive and most compelling works on the reliance of the human on the animal in recent medieval scholarship.
Medium Aevum Peggy McCracken's In the Skin of a Beast . . . demonstrates that the ways in which medieval people thought or dreamed about animals, monsters, and hybrids goes to the heart of their ideas about humanity, subjectivity, gender, power, and society. . . . An important and valuable work of scholarship.
H-France Review In this book, McCracken demonstrates that she is truly the master of her craft: the narrative is lucid, textual and visual explications are thorough and probing. The entire analysis is firmly grounded in historical context backed with a strong theoretical framework. . . . This book serves as a model for how representations of animals and hybrids provide good catalysts for us to think with.
caa.reviews Animals, whether actual or hybrids such as werewolves and snake women, are a puzzling presence in many medieval narratives. In this thought-provoking study of some dozen and a half predominantly French works from the 12th through the 15th centuries, McCracken (Univ. of Michigan) examines animals as a window on medieval ideas related to the notion of sovereignty. . . . Highly recommended.
Choice McCracken is one of the foremost scholars in the field, so it comes as no surprise that In the Skin of a Beast represents an insightful, polished, and original piece of committed scholarship. This book is a major accomplishment, a first-class example of expert political and literary analysis.
William Burgwinkle, University of Cambridge In the Skin of a Beast is more sophisticated and goes further than any previous discussion in demonstrating the centrality of animals to the medieval polity. McCracken offers elegant close readings of texts while presenting theoretical ideas with precision, great clarity, and above all considerable brio.
Simon Gaunt, King's College London Show Less