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Heloise & Abelard
A New Biography

By James Burge

   The story of the romance between Heloise and Abelard is one of the most famous love stories in history. Yet we know very little about it. What we do know is the nine letters that the pair wrote to each other after Abelard became a monk and Heloise a nun. However, recently, a new set of letters was found, written during the time of their heated romance. This has given us more insight into their relationship and its effect on those around them.

   It is from those early letters that James Burge constructs his new biography. This tells us more of the way of life in the twelfth century. Now we know more about the customs and beliefs of those who lived in that age.

   The story takes place in the early 1100s. Peter Abelard was an instructor of philosophy in Paris, France. He saw Heloise, a young lady whose last name was never recorded. She lived with her uncle, Fulbert, a canon in the Catholic church. And Abelard decided, according to his biography, that he must figure out a way to "get her into his bed." He asked her uncle Fulbert to allow him to lodge in Fulbert’s home. In return, Abelard would pay him an agreed upon sum and also give Heloise philosophy lessons.

   Of course, this arrangement had disastrous results for the couple. Fulbert was so consumed with jealousy that he engineered the attack on Abelard that ended their romance. It’s a story we can learn from morally as well as historically. Burge’s description of life in the middle ages during the time of the crusades is the most interesting view of our history. He deals almost exclusively with French history, but it is quite fascinating. Pick up a copy of Heloise & Abelard and get a new view of history as well as an entertaining romance story.

The Book

HarperSanFrancisco / HarperCollins
December 1, 2004
Hardcover
0-06-073663-1
Nonfiction / Biography
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Excerpt

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The Reviewer

Jo Rogers
Reviewed 2005
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© 2005 MyShelf.com