Pizan, Christine de. "The God of Love's Letter" and "The Tale of the Rose": A Bilingual edition eds. and trans. by Thelma S. Fenster and Christine Reno

Abstract

Reviewed by: Pizan, Christine de. "The God of Love's Letter" and "The Tale of the Rose": A Bilingual editioneds. and trans. by Thelma S. Fenster and Christine Reno Ashley Holt Pizan, Christine de. "The God of Love's Letter" and "The Tale of the Rose": A Bilingual edition. Eds. and trans. Thelma S. Fenster and Christine Reno. With Jean Gerson's "A Poem on Man and Woman."Thomas O'Donnell. Trans. Foreword by Jocelyn Wogan-Browne. The Toronto Series, 79. Iter Press, 2021. Pp [xiii]- 209. ISBN 978-1-64959-006-0. $41.95 (paper). ISBN 978-1-64959-007-7. $41.95 (eBook). In this volume, respected Christine de Pizan scholars Thelma S. Fenster and Christine Reno provide meticulously translated editions of Christine de Pizan's poems " The God of Love's Letter" [ Epistre au Dieu d'amours] and " The Tale of the Rose" [ La Dit de la Rose]. The text's generous introduction covers Christine's work as a defender of women and public figure—in particular, her participation in the Querelle de la Rose. Brief descriptions of the manuscripts consulted are given and editorial policies are explained. Thomas O'Donnell similarly introduces his translation of Jean Gerson's poem "A Poem on Man and Woman"—included at the end of this volume as an example of the misogyny of "official" Church doctrine. This includes general background to Christine's adoption and use of the language of "natural law" as a methodical push back against systemic misogynism. Fenster and Reno's creation of "genetic presentations" of "The God of Love's Letter" and "The Tale of the Rose" is noteworthy. Based on the earliest extant manuscripts of each poem, their editions attempt to trace Christine's editorial changes to the texts over time. This is accomplished through translation notes, historical background, notes on Christine's literary influences, and rejected readings and spelling variants of the various extant manuscripts. Fenster follows in Christine's footsteps: reworking earlier versions of translations she wrote with Mary Carpenter Erler in their 1990 work, Poems of Cupid, God of Love. The modern English translations of Christine's poems are a pleasure to read. While it slightly diverts attention from the original verse, the English facing translations are helpful for those who do not read Middle French. The choice to translate Christine's verse into prose, rather than preserving its rhyme scheme, faithfully preserves the meaning of the original Middle French. Textual notes following each poem illuminate the translators' word choices as well the historical and literary influences that play a role in Christine's work. O'Donnell's translation of Gerson's "A Poem on Man and Woman" is an interesting addition to the end of this volume as an example of the entrenched misogyny and complex system of social and political inequality that inspired Christine's work. However, this poem's placement at the end of the text feels like something of an afterthought, rather than a conversation with Christine's poems. Fenster and Reno bring together their considerable expertise to contextualize two of Christine's earliest works championing women framed against her engagement in the infamous Querelle. There is little new material in the introduction for Christine specialists. However, Fenster and Reno's carefully [End Page 198]curated content would be ideal for students and independent scholars, either of French literature or women's and gender studies, looking to increase their depth of understanding of Christine as a writer, intellectual, editor, participant in scholastic debate, and public defender of women. The bilingual format, guide to reading Christine's poetry, and translator's notes make this text invaluable for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses. Ashley Holt Louisiana State University Copyright © 2022 Women in French Studies