From Publishers Weekly
The romance of Héloïse and Abelard remains one of the greatest love stories of all time—one of forbidden love; the eventual lifelong separation of the lovers, cloistered in a monastery and convent; and the vengeful castration of Abelard by Héloïse's uncle. More tantalizingly, we know of the affair only from eight surviving letters between the couple. But British Sunday Independent columnist Burge draws on 113 recently translated letters that have been attributed to the lovers. Based on all of these letters, Burge analyzes the feelings and states of mind of the correspondents, and he can be a bit pedantic at times. But who can fail to be moved by the passion expressed in the letters? "Even during the celebration of the Mass," Héloïse famously wrote, "when our prayers should be purest, lewd visions of the pleasures we shared take... a hold on my unhappy soul...." Burge relates Abelard's theological struggles with the medieval Church, especially with the powerful Cistercian leader Bernard of Clairvaux. Unlike in previous biographies, Héloïse emerges as a leader, too, in her role as abbess of the Paraclete, which she developed into a substantial institution. A complex woman, she sought a unified sense of self that would incorporate both her sexuality and her religious faith. Readers new to this medieval drama will be drawn to this vivid account. B&w illus., maps. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Burge draws heavily on historical sources and the letters of Heloise and Abelard to recount the lives of the famous lovers. Besides the letters long known and used, he refers to recently discovered letters (originally copied in the fifteenth century by Johannes de Vepria) that have been attributed to Heloise and Abelard, presenting compelling evidence for accepting the ascription. After establishing the new letters' credibility, Burge gives the reader a detailed description of the political, social, and religious setting in which the couple's romance blossomed. The two met in 1115, when Abelard was an outspoken philosopher and Heloise was a promising student. Their affair was conducted virtually under the nose of Heloise's uncle, who was enraged when he learned the truth and eventually had Abelard castrated. Thereafter, the couple turned to religious life, but their passion never abated. Burge skillfully brings to life both lovers through their passionate, beautiful letters and the climate in which they lived. As in all the best biographies, the writing is lively and engaging. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Atlantic Monthly
"This is a great tale, which Burge tells vividly and economically."

Susan Vreeland, author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue
"If ever scholarship could be called delectable, it is here in James Burge’s sympathetic and thorough account."

Publishers Weekly
"One of the greatest love stories of all time . . . Readers will be drawn to this vivid account."

BookPage
"A meticulous but always engaging explication of each lover’s innermost desires . . . an impressively researched account."

National Catholic Reporter
"[A] fascinating, funny and thoroughly engaging study . . . a witty and finely written page-turner."

Historical Novels Review
"The passion, spirit and devotion of this star-crossed couple come through on every page. Highly recommended."

Book Description

The heart-rending love story of Abelard and Heloise was one of the most talked about relationships in the Middle Ages, and is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Peter Abelard was arguably the greatest poet, philosopher, and religious teacher in all of twelfth-century Europe. In an age when women were rarely educated, Heloise was his most gifted young student. As master of the cathedral school at Notre Dame in Paris, Abelard was expected to be celibate; his career would be destroyed by marrying. In spite of this, Abelard and Heloise's private tutoring sessions inevitably turned to passionate romance, and their moments apart were spent writing love letters.

When Heloise became pregnant, her possessive guardian and uncle, Fulbert, angrily insisted that they marry. The ceremony was held in secret, but the rumor spread through Paris. Enemies confronted Heloise, who publicly denied the marriage in order to protect Abelard's career. Fearing for her safety, Abelard slipped Heloise out of the city and sent her to a convent. Robbed of his niece and his family's honor, Fulbert took revenge by having Abelard brutally castrated. Abelard retreated to a monastery, and the famous lovers now lived separate lives behind cloistered walls -- but their love, and their letters, continued.

For a long time, the only letters known to have survived dated from the later period of their separation. Then, astoundingly, a few years ago a young scholar identified 113 new letters between the pair. Lost for almost nine hundred years, these fresh missives provide an intriguing snapshot of the couple's clandestine passion that is erotic, poignant, and at times even funny.

James Burge is the first biographer to combine these astonishing new discoveries with the latest scholarship, resulting in a more complete biography; one that paints a fuller picture of Heloise as a woman who tested the cultural constraints of her time. Burge also addresses Abelard's theological disputes with other teachers, including Bernard of Clairvaux, which led to Abelard's eventual trial for heresy. But Heloise & Abelard is much more than a biography. It opens a window onto the enormous and exciting changes that took place in medieval Europe, even as it presents us with the richest telling yet of one of history's greatest love stories.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The love story of Abelard and Heloise was one of the most talked about relationships in the Middle Ages, and is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Peter Abelard was arguably the greatest poet, philosopher, and religious teacher in all of the twelfth-century Europe. In an age when women were rarely educated, Heloise was his most gifted young student. As master of the cathedral school at Notre Dame in Paris, Abelard was expected to be celibate; his career would be destroyed by marrying. In spite of this, Abelard and Heloise's private tutoring sessions inevitably turned to passionate romance, and their moments apart were spent writing love letters." "When Heloise became pregnant, her possessive guardian and uncle, Fulbert, angrily insisted that they marry. The ceremony was held in secret, but the rumor spread through Paris. Enemies confronted Heloise, who publicly denied the marriage in order to protect Abelard's career. Fearing for her safety, Abelard slipped Heloise out of the city and sent her to convent. Robbed of his niece and his family's honor, Fulbert took revenge by having Abelard brutally castrated. Abelard retreated to a monastery, and the famous lovers now lived separate lives behind cloistered walls - but their love, and their letters, continued." "For a long time, the only letters known to have survived dated from the later period of their separation. Then, astoundingly, a few years ago a young scholar identified 113 new letters between the pair. Lost for almost nine hundred years, these fresh missives provide an intriguing snapshot of the couple's clandestine passion that is erotic, poignant, and at times even funny." James Burge is the first biographer to combine these new discoveries with the latest scholarship, resulting in a more complete biography; one that paints a fuller picture of Heloise as a women who tested the cultural constraints of her time. Burge also addresses Abelard's theological disputes with other teachers, including

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The romance of Heloise and Abelard remains one of the greatest love stories of all time-one of forbidden love; the eventual lifelong separation of the lovers, cloistered in a monastery and convent; and the vengeful castration of Abelard by Heloise's uncle. More tantalizingly, we know of the affair only from eight surviving letters between the couple. But British Sunday Independent columnist Burge draws on 113 recently translated letters that have been attributed to the lovers. Based on all of these letters, Burge analyzes the feelings and states of mind of the correspondents, and he can be a bit pedantic at times. But who can fail to be moved by the passion expressed in the letters? "Even during the celebration of the Mass," Heloise famously wrote, "when our prayers should be purest, lewd visions of the pleasures we shared take... a hold on my unhappy soul...." Burge relates Abelard's theological struggles with the medieval Church, especially with the powerful Cistercian leader Bernard of Clairvaux. Unlike in previous biographies, Heloise emerges as a leader, too, in her role as abbess of the Paraclete, which she developed into a substantial institution. A complex woman, she sought a unified sense of self that would incorporate both her sexuality and her religious faith. Readers new to this medieval drama will be drawn to this vivid account. B&w illus., maps. Agent, Sheila Ableman. (Dec.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Drawing upon the newly discovered correspondence between Heloise and Abelard, TV producer and journalist Burge here explores one of the greatest love stories of all time. Abelard was a brilliant philosopher from Paris; Heloise, 15 years his junior, was his student and a poet. Their passionate love affair culminated in the birth of a child, but their secret marriage ended in a brutal attack in which Abelard was castrated. The couple was forced to separate but continued to write letters while living in monasteries. Both comprehensive and compelling, this account offers a revealing look at a 12th-century couple attempting to find comfort in the face of tragedy and despair. It is a tale of adoration, devotion, and adversity that continues to grip the imagination of people nine centuries later. Recommend for public and academic libraries.-Susan McClellan, Avalon P.L., Pittsburgh Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews