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The Book of Margery Kempe
Margery Kempe
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€ 11.65
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Description for The Book of Margery Kempe
Paperback. 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. Translator(s): Bale, Anthony. Series: Oxford World's Classics. Num Pages: 320 pages, 1 map. BIC Classification: 3H; BGHA; BGXA; HBLC1; HRCS1. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 130 x 18. Weight in Grams: 226.
'Alas that I ever did sin! It is so merry in Heaven!' The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1436-8) is the extraordinary account of a medieval wife, mother, and mystic. Known as the earliest autobiography written in the English language, Kempe's Book describes the dramatic transformation of its heroine from failed businesswoman and lustful young wife to devout and chaste pilgrim. She vividly describes her prayers and visions, as well as the temptations in daily life to which she succumbed before dedicating herself to her spiritual calling. She travelled to the most holy sites of the medieval world, including Rome and Jerusalem. In her life and her boisterous devotion, Kempe antagonized many of those around her; yet she also garnered friends and supporters who helped to record her experiences. Her Book opens a window on to the medieval world, and provides a fascinating portrait of one woman's life, aspirations, and prayers. This new translation preserves the forceful narrative voice of Kempe's Book and includes a wide-ranging introduction and useful notes. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Product Details
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2015
Series
Oxford World's Classics
Condition
New
Weight
225 g
Number of Pages
320
Place of Publication
Oxford, United Kingdom
ISBN
9780199686643
SKU
V9780199686643
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 4 to 8 working days
Ref
99-8
About Margery Kempe
Anthony Bale studied at the universities of Oxford and York and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has published widely on various medieval topics, including Christian-Jewish relations, the poetry of Chaucer and Lydgate, religion in East Anglia, and fifteenth-century literature and pilgrimage. He is the editor of Mandeville's Book of Marvels and Travels in OWC, and in 2011 was awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize.
Reviews for The Book of Margery Kempe
Bale's Book of Margery Kempe offers the best modern version of the text and the most comprehensive and judicious assessment of scholarly and critical environments in which to read this strange and wondrous work... Bale sensitively reviews all the textual, critical and ideological challenges of the work. His modern English is supple and responsive.
Times Literary Supplement, Seth Lerer
This lively new edition preserves the author's forceful individuality, but makes her writing accessible to a new audience, and her book not only flings open a forgotten world but also comes garnished with useful notes and maps of her extensive travels.
Good Book Guide, Fiona Lafferty
whatever view may be taken of Margery's visions, the book is extraordinarily lively and enjoyable, and gives an unparalleled glimpse of everyday life in that distant period of English history. This new translation by Anthony Bale is presented in idiomatic modern English, but aims to stay true to the style of the original, sometimes homely and familiar, sometimes high-flown and Latinate. It's wonderfully readable, and has an excellent introduction and notes. Altogether a great pleasure.
Shiny New Books, Harriet Devine
This new look at one of the most important texts of the Middle Ages will come as an eye-opener to those who believe that to live a religious life you need to be inordinately pious.
Northern Echo, Stephen Craggs
The Book of Margery Kempe is genuinely hard to put down - due to the incredible picture of medieval England it paints, and the fascinating mind of the woman who produced it. Anthony Bale's notes add a huge amount of value too, providing much needed context, and raising interesting questions about the material.
The Book Bag, Sue
Extraordinary
Peter Costello, The Irish Catholic
Times Literary Supplement, Seth Lerer
This lively new edition preserves the author's forceful individuality, but makes her writing accessible to a new audience, and her book not only flings open a forgotten world but also comes garnished with useful notes and maps of her extensive travels.
Good Book Guide, Fiona Lafferty
whatever view may be taken of Margery's visions, the book is extraordinarily lively and enjoyable, and gives an unparalleled glimpse of everyday life in that distant period of English history. This new translation by Anthony Bale is presented in idiomatic modern English, but aims to stay true to the style of the original, sometimes homely and familiar, sometimes high-flown and Latinate. It's wonderfully readable, and has an excellent introduction and notes. Altogether a great pleasure.
Shiny New Books, Harriet Devine
This new look at one of the most important texts of the Middle Ages will come as an eye-opener to those who believe that to live a religious life you need to be inordinately pious.
Northern Echo, Stephen Craggs
The Book of Margery Kempe is genuinely hard to put down - due to the incredible picture of medieval England it paints, and the fascinating mind of the woman who produced it. Anthony Bale's notes add a huge amount of value too, providing much needed context, and raising interesting questions about the material.
The Book Bag, Sue
Extraordinary
Peter Costello, The Irish Catholic