Overview

Catherine of Siena (1347-80) wrote almost four hundred epistles in her lifetime, effectively insinuating herself into the literary, political, and theological debates of her day. This book focuses on Catherine's works, calling attention to the interplay between orality and textuality in the letters.

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Tylus's book convincingly demonstrates Catherine's respect for writing. The book is also scholarly, mentioning many relevant studies. . . . A thoughtful and original study. --Ann Crabb Renaissance Quarterly With elegant 'sprezzatura, ' this book proposes a radical revision of the origins of the Italian literary canon. A leading figure in an era of extraordinary political and religious importance, a woman--Catherine--now stands alongside Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio as a prominent vernacular writer fully aware of the significance of her writing. A provocative and innovative book, written with learning and passion. -- (07/28/2008) Tylus' book is a rich and intelligent contribution to the burgeoning field of scholarship on medieval European women visionaries, building on a considerable body of work by scholars working in different disciplines. The style is often elegant--even literary--and the discussions nuanced and detailed. It suggests, convincingly, that the signs of Catherine, and of others, succeeded in making her a donna, and not a serva. -- (06/18/2009) This book considers Catherine of Siena from the perspective of language, especially her own Tuscan dialect, a strong vernacular Tylus argues Catherine helped to shape. Tylus nuances long-standing questions about Catherine's ability to read and write in a completely original way. There is nothing straightforward or unproblematic about the type of literacy she proposes for Catherine, but it is entirely framed in the context of late medieval Italy, and paints a new portrait of the saint. -- (08/21/2008) The rarity of studies as deeply learned and continually thought-provoking as Tylus's makes it virtually unique. . . . This important contribution by a major scholar is a must for those interested in Trecento Italy, its literature, and its religion. Essential. -- (09/01/2009) Catherine of Siena was one of medieval Europe's most fascinating and important religious and political personages, male or female. Thanks to Jane Tylus, we now have a book in English that presents her in all her impressive complexity, constantly engaging the reader in Catherine's spiritual and political mission as well as her life story. Tylus is a fine storyteller, a discerning interpreter, and a generous thinker. -- (02/07/2008)

-Tylus's book convincingly demonstrates Catherine's respect for writing. The book is also scholarly, mentioning many relevant studies. . . . A thoughtful and original study.- --Ann Crabb -Renaissance Quarterly - -This book considers Catherine of Siena from the perspective of language, especially her own Tuscan dialect, a strong vernacular Tylus argues Catherine helped to shape. Tylus nuances long-standing questions about Catherine's ability to read and write in a completely original way. There is nothing straightforward or unproblematic about the type of literacy she proposes for Catherine, but it is entirely framed in the context of late medieval Italy, and paints a new portrait of the saint.- --Ann Matter, University of Pennsylvania (08/21/2008) -With elegant 'sprezzatura, ' this book proposes a radical revision of the origins of the Italian literary canon. A leading figure in an era of extraordinary political and religious importance, a woman--Catherine--now stands alongside Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio as a prominent vernacular writer fully aware of the significance of her writing. A provocative and innovative book, written with learning and passion.- --Lina Bolzoni, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa (07/28/2008) -Catherine of Siena was one of medieval Europe's most fascinating and important religious and political personages, male or female. Thanks to Jane Tylus, we now have a book in English that presents her in all her impressive complexity, constantly engaging the reader in Catherine's spiritual and political mission as well as her life story. Tylus is a fine storyteller, a discerning interpreter, and a generous thinker.- --Deanna Shemek, University of California-Santa Cruz (02/07/2008) Tylus's book convincingly demonstrates Catherine's respect for writing. The book is also scholarly, mentioning many relevant studies. . . . A thoughtful and original study. --Ann Crabb Renaissance Quarterly This book considers Catherine of Siena from the perspective of language, especially her own Tuscan dialect, a strong vernacular Tylus argues Catherine helped to shape. Tylus nuances long-standing questions about Catherine's ability to read and write in a completely original way. There is nothing straightforward or unproblematic about the type of literacy she proposes for Catherine, but it is entirely framed in the context of late medieval Italy, and paints a new portrait of the saint. --Ann Matter, University of Pennsylvania (08/21/2008) With elegant 'sprezzatura, ' this book proposes a radical revision of the origins of the Italian literary canon. A leading figure in an era of extraordinary political and religious importance, a woman--Catherine--now stands alongside Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio as a prominent vernacular writer fully aware of the significance of her writing. A provocative and innovative book, written with learning and passion. --Lina Bolzoni, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa (07/28/2008) Catherine of Siena was one of medieval Europe's most fascinating and important religious and political personages, male or female. Thanks to Jane Tylus, we now have a book in English that presents her in all her impressive complexity, constantly engaging the reader in Catherine's spiritual and political mission as well as her life story. Tylus is a fine storyteller, a discerning interpreter, and a generous thinker. --Deanna Shemek, University of California-Santa Cruz (02/07/2008)

-Tylus's book convincingly demonstrates Catherine's respect for writing. The book is also scholarly, mentioning many relevant studies. . . . A thoughtful and original study.- --Ann Crabb -Renaissance Quarterly -

Author Information

Jane Tylus is professor of Italian studies and vice provost for academic affairs at New York University, where she also sits on the faculty of comparative literature. She is the author of Writing and Vulnerability in the Late Renaissance.

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