A profoundly thought-provoking, moving novel that breathes fresh life into one of history's most remarkable and enduring love stories.
A classic love story is retold for our times in this thought-provoking story of a modern day academic attempting to turn the twelfth century story into a novel, and realising that his attachment to the subject is more emotional than it has seemed.
Henry James thought historical novels were 'tainted by a fatal cheapness'. Not this one. Melvyn Bragg's account of the passionate and painful love affair between the 12th century radical theologian, Peter Abelard, and the brilliant young convent-educated Eloise springs magnificently to life. No cardboard here but the smell and feel of a turbulent time and a doomed relationship, brought up close by a 21st century one. Thrilling.