This was a wonderful review!! I definitely would’ve thought that it was a biography of the four women. I love that these women’s writing is actually the medium through which Howe attempts to recreate a picture of what “ordinary” women’s lives were like. Into my TBR pile this goes!
This book is in my TBR pile! I can't wait. Thanks for the review. Another great book I'd recommend is Sainted Women of the Dark Ages, edited by Jo Ann McNamara and E. Gordon Whatley. It is a compilation of translated vitae of 18 female saints from the 6th & 7th centuries.
Thank you for the recommendation! I’m off to buy that right now! Do you mind if I DM you? I’d love to collaborate on something if you’re up for it, given how closely our academic interests align.
Sounds like a great book! I can only mention "Femina" by Janina Ramirez, which I'm currently reading, but definitely keeping an eye on this thread to build up my TBR 👀
This book was great! I read it over the Christmas holiday up to New Year’s Day. I always knew women’s history was suppressed but this book further opened my eyes to so much, especially within the medieval period.
It is so eye opening, isn’t it? But I loved that Hetta Howes didn’t spend lots of time lamenting the erasure of women - and focused on what we can say, telling those stories brilliantly.
Thanks for this review - this is clearly another book to add to my wish list, once I actually have some disposable income, if that ever happens. I believe I have (quite an old) book about Margery Kemp somewhere in my attic, which I shall now have to excavate...
Yes, I read this book a couple months ago and thought it was wonderful. Dr. Howes has appeared on a few podcasts to talk about the book, including "Gone Medieval."
It sounds like a fascinating reference/resource for the period. I do love the drift toward regular folks. It is often near impossible to piece together the life of everywoman.
Yeah it is the kind of book that I will come back to in the future, and I think it is an important trendsetter (a bit like Philippa Gregory’s Normal Women) for trying to use women’s voices to tell women’s stories.
Looking forward to reading this when it comes into my local library (on order - I'm #4 on the hold list!) in Vancouver BC Canada. I see that Hetta Howes has several YouTube talks done on the book/topic also... Thanks for being my morning muse on this rainy morning!!
Ooh I hope you rise to the top of that list soon! Sounds like it’s a popular book where you are. I’ll have to look up those talks: I heard about the book after listening to her on a podcast, and she was fab!
This was a wonderful review!! I definitely would’ve thought that it was a biography of the four women. I love that these women’s writing is actually the medium through which Howe attempts to recreate a picture of what “ordinary” women’s lives were like. Into my TBR pile this goes!
I’m glad you enjoyed it: I had so much fun writing it!
This book is in my TBR pile! I can't wait. Thanks for the review. Another great book I'd recommend is Sainted Women of the Dark Ages, edited by Jo Ann McNamara and E. Gordon Whatley. It is a compilation of translated vitae of 18 female saints from the 6th & 7th centuries.
Thank you for the recommendation! I’m off to buy that right now! Do you mind if I DM you? I’d love to collaborate on something if you’re up for it, given how closely our academic interests align.
Of course! I'd love that!
I’ve sent you a message 🥰
Sounds like a great book! I can only mention "Femina" by Janina Ramirez, which I'm currently reading, but definitely keeping an eye on this thread to build up my TBR 👀
Femina is BRILLIANT. A very long book, but fantastic in its focus on women’s history.
I loved Femina as well!
This book is on my wishlist. I saw Hetta in conversation with Claire Gilbert in Winchester a couple of weeks back.
Ooh that sounds a wonderful event! I heard about the book after listening to her on a podcast - she was so interesting to listen to.
I read it last month! I have the audio version now to listen to as it’s the type of book I like to read several times!
It is a fab book! I think I, too, will dip back into it in the future.
Just finished this book! It was great!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This book was great! I read it over the Christmas holiday up to New Year’s Day. I always knew women’s history was suppressed but this book further opened my eyes to so much, especially within the medieval period.
It is so eye opening, isn’t it? But I loved that Hetta Howes didn’t spend lots of time lamenting the erasure of women - and focused on what we can say, telling those stories brilliantly.
Thanks for this review - this is clearly another book to add to my wish list, once I actually have some disposable income, if that ever happens. I believe I have (quite an old) book about Margery Kemp somewhere in my attic, which I shall now have to excavate...
Ooh yes I really want to learn more about Margery Kempe having read this book!
Yes, I read this book a couple months ago and thought it was wonderful. Dr. Howes has appeared on a few podcasts to talk about the book, including "Gone Medieval."
Yes, I first heard her on Gone Medieval! I love how their guests often have books coming out: I’ve found so many interesting books that way!
It sounds like a fascinating reference/resource for the period. I do love the drift toward regular folks. It is often near impossible to piece together the life of everywoman.
Yeah it is the kind of book that I will come back to in the future, and I think it is an important trendsetter (a bit like Philippa Gregory’s Normal Women) for trying to use women’s voices to tell women’s stories.
Thank you, I'm adding this to my TBR list!
I hope you enjoy it!
Looking forward to reading this when it comes into my local library (on order - I'm #4 on the hold list!) in Vancouver BC Canada. I see that Hetta Howes has several YouTube talks done on the book/topic also... Thanks for being my morning muse on this rainy morning!!
Ooh I hope you rise to the top of that list soon! Sounds like it’s a popular book where you are. I’ll have to look up those talks: I heard about the book after listening to her on a podcast, and she was fab!
I'm reading it right now. My son gave it to me for Christmas after listening to a podcast featuring Howes. I'm loving it.
Substack is so expensive… because of all the books I want to buy! Here’s another to add to my list!