The Writings of Christine de Pizan

by Christine de Pizan, Charity Cannon Willard (Editor)

A compilation of the great 15th century French writer, Christine de Pizan's most important works rendered into English by major scholars and translators. With an introduction by the foremost authority on de Pizan, Charity Cannon Willard.   Christine de Pizan, France’s first woman of letters, is widely known for her classic Book of the City of Ladies (Persea, 1982), but very few of her many other distinguished works have been translated into English. The Writings of Christine de Pizan offers lengthy excerpts of nearly all of Christine’s works, in authoritative and gracious translations. Among the writings are Christine’s autobiography; lyric and allegorical poetry; the official biography of King Charles V; writings on women, warfare, politics, love, and the human condition; writings from the famous Quarrel of the Rose; The Book of the City of Ladies; The Treasury of the City of Ladies; The Book of the Duke of True Lovers ; and Christine’s triumphant poem on Joan of Arc. Edited and with an introduction by the foremost authority on Christine’s work, Charity Cannon Willard, who sets the writings in historical, biographical, and literary context.

Genres: History, Poetry, Nonfiction, Medieval, Classics, Philosophy, Feminism

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1993

About the author

Christine de Pizan (also seen as de Pisan) (1363–c.1434) was a writer and analyst of the medieval era who strongly challenged misogyny and stereotypes that were prevalent in the male-dominated realm of the arts. De Pizan completed forty-one pieces during her thirty-year career (1399–1429). She earned her accolade as Europe’s first professional woman writer (Redfern 74). Her success stems from a wide range of innovative writing and rhetorical techniques that critically challenged renowned male writers such as Jean de Meun who, to Pizan’s dismay, incorporated misogynist beliefs within their literary works.

In recent decades, de Pizan's work has been returned to prominence by the efforts of scholars such as Charity Cannon Willard and Earl Jeffrey Richards. Certain scholars have argued that she should be seen as an early feminist who efficiently used language to convey that women could play an important role within society, although this characterisation has been challenged by other critics who claim either that it is an anachronistic use of the word, or that her beliefs were not progressive enough to merit such a designation

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Oh flighty youth, so blind and capricious! You do not realize what is good for you; you take pleasure only in vain and worthless things, and pursue nothing else."
-from "Christine's Vision"

I continue to be intrigued by Christine de Pizan, this remarkably intelligent woman who made a good name for herself in a time in which women didn't usually achieve such goals. She was an adept scholar and talented poet as well as a forward thinker with clear viewpoints. As I mentioned in my review of The Book of City of Ladies (which can be found here), I don't think it would have been easy for a woman to achieve such a standing on her own, especially a widow and single mother with responsibilities such as Pizan.

Regardless of Ms. Pizan's gender, I find her writing to be very enjoyable mainly because it's so clear that she was a remarkably intelligent individual. Now, I know that since this is a translation from French that it cannot be truly accurate, but I find her style of writing to be pleasing to the eye and pretty understandable overall. This applies to both poetry and prose, although I really, really enjoy her poetry especially (a particular favorite of mine would be one of her last ones, "The Poem of Joan of Arc"). I also find her Biblical knowledge to be really incredible- her "Seven Allegorized Psalms" are definitely worth reading.

I'm very glad that I still have more of Pizan's work to read, because I find her to be an interesting figure in history as well as a good addition to my medieval experience. Her writings, especially her City of Ladies books, are a vital part of anyone's medieval background in my opinion; however, this particular book is valuable for its translations of her other works which are just as good.

[Jillian Haro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED it. There is so much truth and depth and analytical psychiatry! And, it's truly beautiful. It's more of a book for women, so that's a warning.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow