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Heloise
What happens when the 12th century's most famous French lovers are caught in the crossfire of factions, religious reform and zealotry?
Heloise has an exceptional mind. In her determination to pursue learning rather than marriage or life as a cloistered nun, her path inevitably crosses with Peter Abelard, the celebrity philosopher, theologian and master at Paris' famed Cathedral School. When two such brilliant minds meet and engage, sparks are likely to fly. And when those two minds belong to a charismatic man and a determined young woman, those sparks are likely to ignite. But theirs is an impossible love. At a time when the Gregorian Reforms are starting to bite and celibacy among the clergy and church officials is being rigorously imposed, these two embark on an affair that will see their lives forever changed. Based on meticulous up-to-date research and the pair's own writings, this novel recreates the times, offers a plausible interpretation of the known facts and a vivid imagining of the gaps in this legendary story. So, too, it shines a light on a changing world whose attitudes and politics are not so very different from our own.
Heloise has an exceptional mind. In her determination to pursue learning rather than marriage or life as a cloistered nun, her path inevitably crosses with Peter Abelard, the celebrity philosopher, theologian and master at Paris' famed Cathedral School. When two such brilliant minds meet and engage, sparks are likely to fly. And when those two minds belong to a charismatic man and a determined young woman, those sparks are likely to ignite. But theirs is an impossible love. At a time when the Gregorian Reforms are starting to bite and celibacy among the clergy and church officials is being rigorously imposed, these two embark on an affair that will see their lives forever changed. Based on meticulous up-to-date research and the pair's own writings, this novel recreates the times, offers a plausible interpretation of the known facts and a vivid imagining of the gaps in this legendary story. So, too, it shines a light on a changing world whose attitudes and politics are not so very different from our own.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2017
14 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Hager
26 books74 followersMandy Hager is a multi-award winning writer of fiction, most often for young adults. She has won the LIANZA Book Awards for Young Adult fiction 3 times (‘Smashed’ 2008, ‘The Nature of Ash’ 2013, ‘Dear Vincent’ 2014), the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards for YA fiction (‘The Crossing’ 2010), an Honour Award in the 1996 AIM Children’s Book Awards (‘Tom’s Story’), Golden Wings Excellence Award (‘Juno Lucina,’ 2002), Golden Wings Award (‘Run For The Trees’, 2003) and Five Notable Book Awards.
She has also been awarded the 2012 Beatson Fellowship, the 2014 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the 2015 Waikato University Writer in Residence.
In 2015 her novel ‘Singing Home the Whale’ was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, and the Best Young Adult fiction Award from the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It has also been named a 2016 IBBY Honour Book, an international award. Her historical novel for adults, titled ‘Heloise’, was long-listed for the Ockham Book Awards.
She is a trained teacher, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Whitireia) and an MA in Creative Writing for Victoria University. She also writes adult fiction, short stories, non-fiction, educational resources, blogs and articles, and currently tutors the Novel Course for Whitireia’s Creative Writing Programme.
She has also been awarded the 2012 Beatson Fellowship, the 2014 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the 2015 Waikato University Writer in Residence.
In 2015 her novel ‘Singing Home the Whale’ was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, and the Best Young Adult fiction Award from the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It has also been named a 2016 IBBY Honour Book, an international award. Her historical novel for adults, titled ‘Heloise’, was long-listed for the Ockham Book Awards.
She is a trained teacher, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Whitireia) and an MA in Creative Writing for Victoria University. She also writes adult fiction, short stories, non-fiction, educational resources, blogs and articles, and currently tutors the Novel Course for Whitireia’s Creative Writing Programme.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 5, 2017
I studied Heloise and Abelard as part of a Medieval Women paper for an undergraduate degree I did some years ago and was fascinated by the story back then. I was interested in the ways women found to gain freedom and exert some kind of independence and power within the limiting framework of the patriarchal medieval society in Europe. Wrapping the available facts and information within a fictional narrative has brought history to life here and the tone and voice employed, while they took me a little while to get used to, gave a credible sense of the time. The book effectively explores the place and struggles of women in medieval society. It is hard to make Abelard a sympathetic figure but Hager makes him potentially more understandable and she manages to make a tragic story uplifting in a number of ways. A great read - 4 and a half stars.
February 27, 2018
this was a good tale but like most based on true stories of that time the religion and the ever shifting loyalties take away from a clear plot
May 16, 2017
The novel is brilliant, gripping, thought-provoking, insightful of the times and its dilemmas and wonderful in allowing the reader to get into the heads and hearts of people with a very different world-view.
Mandy Hager conjures up a world so different to ours and yet so similar. Even while I was engrossed in the arcane religious arguments I could see their relevance to today and other issues of race, power and gender. I’ve always been bemused at the thought of people leaving the world by entering monasteries and convents but Hager shows that it was a sensible option for many, particularly women.
The characters resonate powerfully and I especially liked the way in which we have glimpses of their multi-faceted nature: heroes and villains, strong and weak in the one person.
I was really impressed by the character of Heloise. From the opening pages, we see her precocity and view the world through the lens of her intelligence and emotion. This, together with the blindness wrought by love carry the book forward with verve and power.
Abelard is often painted as the victim of the affair, a new Adam tempted by a medieval Eve. Hager has a different take on him. He is, I think, the more culpable figure yet this somehow makes him seem more human and I liked and disliked him in equal measure.
Other characters also shine. Heloise’s good friend Jehanne, parallels Heloise’s battle, though in a physical rather than an intellectual or moral manner. For her it was either fight or give up.
Heloise’s uncle, Fulbert is a wonderful creation. Hager shows his deep love Heloise and how his sense of betrayal caused him anguish and led to the tragic and terrible outcomes for Heloise and Abelard. I especially liked the fact that while Heloise a grudge against him we had an insight into his terrible anguish both at her actions and his terrible response to them. In his friend, Stephen de Garlande, we have a marvellous depiction of power and ambition, humanised still more by the events he witnessed.
This novel takes us back to the heart of 12th century France with well-judged description and sensual detail. The characters are of their time in, often in ways we can hardly understand. Yet they also display in heart-aching manner the essential humanity we share across the centuries.
Mandy Hager conjures up a world so different to ours and yet so similar. Even while I was engrossed in the arcane religious arguments I could see their relevance to today and other issues of race, power and gender. I’ve always been bemused at the thought of people leaving the world by entering monasteries and convents but Hager shows that it was a sensible option for many, particularly women.
The characters resonate powerfully and I especially liked the way in which we have glimpses of their multi-faceted nature: heroes and villains, strong and weak in the one person.
I was really impressed by the character of Heloise. From the opening pages, we see her precocity and view the world through the lens of her intelligence and emotion. This, together with the blindness wrought by love carry the book forward with verve and power.
Abelard is often painted as the victim of the affair, a new Adam tempted by a medieval Eve. Hager has a different take on him. He is, I think, the more culpable figure yet this somehow makes him seem more human and I liked and disliked him in equal measure.
Other characters also shine. Heloise’s good friend Jehanne, parallels Heloise’s battle, though in a physical rather than an intellectual or moral manner. For her it was either fight or give up.
Heloise’s uncle, Fulbert is a wonderful creation. Hager shows his deep love Heloise and how his sense of betrayal caused him anguish and led to the tragic and terrible outcomes for Heloise and Abelard. I especially liked the fact that while Heloise a grudge against him we had an insight into his terrible anguish both at her actions and his terrible response to them. In his friend, Stephen de Garlande, we have a marvellous depiction of power and ambition, humanised still more by the events he witnessed.
This novel takes us back to the heart of 12th century France with well-judged description and sensual detail. The characters are of their time in, often in ways we can hardly understand. Yet they also display in heart-aching manner the essential humanity we share across the centuries.
August 17, 2017
A love story between a nun and a radical (for his time) theologian set in the 12th century? Normally I'd read the back of that book and gently put it back down with a "thanks but no thanks". Instead I read it and I'm glad I did. Heloise was quite simply a woman before her time. Bold, determined, with a thirst for knowledge that both empowered and endangered her, Heloise as written by Mandy Hager, is the sort of heroine you could easily transplant into today's world, in fact she reminded me of some of the strong female characters portrayed in television. Only she's not a character, she was a real life person. Which makes Mandy's job that much harder, especially given the multitude of material available on Abelard and Heloise.
I didn't know much about the story, so went into it with no misconceptions on how it would play out. Instead I was captivated by the well crafted tale and all the three dimensional characters Mandy has given us. At times it isn't a pleasant read, but it's too Mandy's credit that she hasn't glossed over the nastier aspects of living in that time. What we have been given is a vividly described snapshot of a moment in history, and a damn good read as well.
I didn't know much about the story, so went into it with no misconceptions on how it would play out. Instead I was captivated by the well crafted tale and all the three dimensional characters Mandy has given us. At times it isn't a pleasant read, but it's too Mandy's credit that she hasn't glossed over the nastier aspects of living in that time. What we have been given is a vividly described snapshot of a moment in history, and a damn good read as well.
October 14, 2017
This undergarment-shredder set in the Middle Ages made me wonder what audience the author has in mind. It is quite sexually explicit for her usual teen audience, but I'm no longer a teen so what would I know. Heloise's take on femininity, sexuality and the place of women is remarkably modern and feminist. Abelard comes across as a bit of a self-serving prick, while she is a bit of a saint for forgiving all his faults. Overall this is a great story,and despite a somewhat overblown writing style is well worth reviving for a 21st century readership.
July 24, 2017
I hope someone's put this in for the Booker. That is all.
January 12, 2018
Heloise, Mangy Hager’s first work of fiction for adults, has been longlisted for the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and it turned out to be interesting reading, though *chuckle* perhaps not in the way that its author intended it to be. It is a retelling of a story many already know: the doomed love of the famous 12th century French lovers whose letters have come to exemplify passion and romance for a thousand years. Hager’s novel, the blurb tells us, offers a plausible interpretation of the known facts and a vivid imagining of the gaps in the lives of the philosopher and theologian Peter Abélard – who was compelled to be celibate by his position as a secular canon – but who seduced his younger pupil-scholar Héloïse d’Argenteuil who subsequently became his not-so-secret wife and then a reluctant nun. Both of them paid a terrible price for their forbidden love, which makes for a good story even if you already know its outline. But what made it interesting for me was its problematic aspects…
In order to discuss this, it is necessary to reveals elements of the story, so be warned:
SPOILER ALERT
The novel is written entirely from Heloise’s point-of-view, tracing her rescue from an unhappy foster-home to her uncle’s Fulbert’s care and placement in a convent at Argenteuil, now a suburb of Paris. There she gains access to education from the Jewish convert Saris, learning Latin and Greek and exploring the works of Ovid and Virgil. But when the convent is closed due to political manoeuvring, Heloise takes shelter under her uncle’s roof in Paris, and pining for her lost education opportunities, she discreetly attends male-only lectures by the famous teacher Abelard. Highly intelligent, Heloise is frustrated by the restrictions on education for girls in this medieval era and is delighted when her uncle allows Abelard to take lodgings with him and to teach the teenage Heloise. They enjoy intellectual word play and robust discussions, but eventually the first of the problematic incidents takes place. Their mutual attraction and shared passion leads to him forcing himself on her. In this novel, although she loves him and he loves her, it is unquestionably rape.
And she forgives him.
It turns out that she has quite a lot of forgiving to do.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/01/12/h...
In order to discuss this, it is necessary to reveals elements of the story, so be warned:
SPOILER ALERT
The novel is written entirely from Heloise’s point-of-view, tracing her rescue from an unhappy foster-home to her uncle’s Fulbert’s care and placement in a convent at Argenteuil, now a suburb of Paris. There she gains access to education from the Jewish convert Saris, learning Latin and Greek and exploring the works of Ovid and Virgil. But when the convent is closed due to political manoeuvring, Heloise takes shelter under her uncle’s roof in Paris, and pining for her lost education opportunities, she discreetly attends male-only lectures by the famous teacher Abelard. Highly intelligent, Heloise is frustrated by the restrictions on education for girls in this medieval era and is delighted when her uncle allows Abelard to take lodgings with him and to teach the teenage Heloise. They enjoy intellectual word play and robust discussions, but eventually the first of the problematic incidents takes place. Their mutual attraction and shared passion leads to him forcing himself on her. In this novel, although she loves him and he loves her, it is unquestionably rape.
And she forgives him.
It turns out that she has quite a lot of forgiving to do.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/01/12/h...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
A most well-researched novel this one (I can't even imagine contemplating doing this much!), and very different from the author's YA novels. I'm going to be thinking about it for some time. Thank you Mandy :D
November 11, 2017
(Spoiler alert)
Like any book, this one has its strengths and weaknesses.
Handling of intellectual debates was always going to be an important part of this story about two renowned thinkers from the Middle Ages. As a former student of philosophy and theology, I enjoyed the way that this was done. The use of historical sources in a fictional work was another strength. And the projection of contemporary Western egalitarian values back to 11th and 12th century France is done tolerably well.
Unfortunately, this book had a few too many weaknesses for me to get past.
Chiefly, I found that Héloise fell awkwardly between two genres. It followed some conventions of the "young adult" or "teen fiction" category. The story is told from the perspective of a protagonist who is younger, less powerful and more emotionally reactive than the characters around her. As in many YA books, the relatively naïve narrator is used to make moral judgements about "the adult world". She does develop to some extent, but even in her twenties, the eponymous hero is in many ways still seeing the world in this way.
Alongside this, there is some explicit sexual content, which tends to jar.
Included in this content (and here is where the spoiler alert really kicks in), there is a rape. The handling of this event left me quite uncomfortable. It is not acknowledged in the story as a rape, and M. Abelard the perpetrator appears to be excused for his actions. This may have been historically accurate, but with all the other contemporary feminist mores written into the story, their absence at this point was too much for me.
I read on a little further, but eventually gave up. I'm sorry to say, being an admirer of the author, that two stars is all I can muster this time.
Like any book, this one has its strengths and weaknesses.
Handling of intellectual debates was always going to be an important part of this story about two renowned thinkers from the Middle Ages. As a former student of philosophy and theology, I enjoyed the way that this was done. The use of historical sources in a fictional work was another strength. And the projection of contemporary Western egalitarian values back to 11th and 12th century France is done tolerably well.
Unfortunately, this book had a few too many weaknesses for me to get past.
Chiefly, I found that Héloise fell awkwardly between two genres. It followed some conventions of the "young adult" or "teen fiction" category. The story is told from the perspective of a protagonist who is younger, less powerful and more emotionally reactive than the characters around her. As in many YA books, the relatively naïve narrator is used to make moral judgements about "the adult world". She does develop to some extent, but even in her twenties, the eponymous hero is in many ways still seeing the world in this way.
Alongside this, there is some explicit sexual content, which tends to jar.
Included in this content (and here is where the spoiler alert really kicks in), there is a rape. The handling of this event left me quite uncomfortable. It is not acknowledged in the story as a rape, and M. Abelard the perpetrator appears to be excused for his actions. This may have been historically accurate, but with all the other contemporary feminist mores written into the story, their absence at this point was too much for me.
I read on a little further, but eventually gave up. I'm sorry to say, being an admirer of the author, that two stars is all I can muster this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2017
A full scale novel crafted around the lives of Heloise and Abelard, lovers from the same traditions as Dante and Beatrice and Romeo and Juliet. Lovers who tragically were not meant to be together.
From many rich histories and from the letters written by the pair themselves Mandy Hager has crafted a rich history of their love and their lives, setting Heloise at the centre of her narrative.
I thought that she captured a view of twelfth century France very powerfully, the politics and the religion of the times with all their machinations of power, greed and corruption. It was a times of great religious flowering across Europe, when many of the most spectacular churches, cathedrals and monasteries were built. Peter Abelard was the foremost thinker of the times but his love for Heloise meant he had so much to lose at the same time.
This is a dense book, not one that you can skip through lightly, but if you read it carefully you will be rewarded with a moving and accurate account of dangerous love affair that sparked some truely remarkable literature that survives to this day.
From many rich histories and from the letters written by the pair themselves Mandy Hager has crafted a rich history of their love and their lives, setting Heloise at the centre of her narrative.
I thought that she captured a view of twelfth century France very powerfully, the politics and the religion of the times with all their machinations of power, greed and corruption. It was a times of great religious flowering across Europe, when many of the most spectacular churches, cathedrals and monasteries were built. Peter Abelard was the foremost thinker of the times but his love for Heloise meant he had so much to lose at the same time.
This is a dense book, not one that you can skip through lightly, but if you read it carefully you will be rewarded with a moving and accurate account of dangerous love affair that sparked some truely remarkable literature that survives to this day.
August 14, 2017
Four stars would probably be fairer but I found it a bit tedious at times. I've always know about the story of Eloise and Abelard and was curious to see what actually went on. It's an ugly story in many respects with the corruption of the catholic church at its centre. It would help if a reader was interested in the philosophical tangles of the catholic church and their consequences for avaricious princes. The love affair is well told with some twists that are unexpected but I didn't connect very well with the poetry around it.
July 7, 2017
Extraordinary achievement to make French 12th century relevant today. Heloise was a right-on feminist.
"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful" (Seneca) quoted in the book is eternally true
"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful" (Seneca) quoted in the book is eternally true
January 16, 2018
I loved this book. It stayed with me for days.
August 16, 2022
The most exquisitely written story told with great depth of character and understanding of the era. You get the impression that the author was right there when Heloise and Peter Abelard were debating the great philosophers and challenging the the evilness of the churches over-riding involvement in the state and indeed in every person’s lives. It was the first novel I had read that was set in the 12th century and it was devastating to read about the plight of women. Yet despite the tragedy of any women’s life at this time, the main protagonist- Heloise is remembered with great respect - with an incredible life!
April 30, 2018
Heloise, a determined young woman with an exceptional mind crosses paths with Abelard the celebrity philosopher and theologian.
They strike sparks off each other, and enter a doomed relationship.
Mandy Hager has carried out meticulous research based on recent publishing and the pair's own writing.
They strike sparks off each other, and enter a doomed relationship.
Mandy Hager has carried out meticulous research based on recent publishing and the pair's own writing.
May 9, 2020
Not a light read but written with intelligence and empathy. A lot of research must have gone into the writing of this book. By the end I did wonder how much has actually changed for many women in the world today. Heloise was certainly an amazing and forgiving women. Someone who we can learn much from today. Book club selection.
October 29, 2020
Fascinating and tragic story - can’t believe I’d never heard of Héloïse and Abelard before reading this book. Hager does a wonderful job of fusing the writings of both with the imagined story surrounding them. What an atrocious time it was to be a woman!
August 15, 2024
Book group.
Hmmm, found the story kept pace well for the second half, but it’s pretty frustrating that a story meant to be about a strong, intelligent woman becomes driven by the male characters who are so obviously flawed. Quick read once I devoted time to it.
Hmmm, found the story kept pace well for the second half, but it’s pretty frustrating that a story meant to be about a strong, intelligent woman becomes driven by the male characters who are so obviously flawed. Quick read once I devoted time to it.
October 16, 2017
Really accomplished writing, riveting read about Heloise and Abelard.
April 28, 2018
Reading Heloise is like eating a sumptuous many layered cake - a compelling narrative supported by layers of philosophy, history and theology.
November 14, 2020
Beautifully written and often captivating and engaging. However more often dull and repetitive. Overall I wanted to enjoy this more than i actually did.
August 4, 2024
Felt like, even though Heloise was supposed to be the centre, the author gave the male characters more dynamism.
December 11, 2024
Not a fan of historical novels but quite enjoyed this, cleverly drawn from historical letters. Didn't need the many quotes from writings of that era.
October 28, 2018
Well worth a read. Life for women in 12th century France, the innate corruption of the Catholic church, nothing has changed.
February 27, 2018
Reads like a combination of philosophical treatise and historical fanfiction. Not an enjoyable combination.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews