Stealing Heaven: The Love Story of Heloise and Abelard (Hera Series)

Rating:
Summary: A good, but one-sided book. . .
Review: . . .which doesn't present a balanced perspective -- OR the both sides of the story.

This is an entertaining (and at points, steamy) historical novel detailing the relationship between the great theologian Peter Abelard, and his much younger female student, the intelligent and witty Heloise.

In the 11th century, teachers in University were expected to be celibate (whether or not they were members of the clergy). While not (to my best knowledge) a matter of canon law, such celibacy was a deeply ingrained custom. Peter Abelard was neither the first nor the last teacher to throw such customs to the wind -- his case remains noticed because of the dreadful vengeance directed against him.

Yes, Abelard violated custom by his affair with Heloise. However, any work which would portray Abelard as a ruthless aggressor and Heloise as an innocent victim are reading their own 20th and 21st century feminist perspectives into an 11th century situation. Both individuals were adults, both were consenting, both were aware of the customs and social mores, and both were aware of the possible penalties. This work does the relationship a great disservice by suggesting otherwise.

The real villian in this story is Heloise' uncle. Here was a man who engaged in his own extended sexual dalliances, and who took a personal vengeance against the greatest teacher in Paris -- a vengeance in which the punishment did NOT fit the crime, and which caused untold harm to the University.

Finally, the author includes a strong undercurrent of homosexuality throughout the novel. I remain unconvinced that this was necessary. First, she accuses Abelard of numerous homosexual encounters with his students -- an accusation which flies in the face of the best history we have, which states that Abelard did indeed keep his celibacy until his meeting with Heloise. Second, her descriptions of rampant lesbianism in the various convents in which Heloise found herself was unnecessary to the story and another historical liberty.

I enjoyed this book (and the movie, for that matter) but the pure student of church history will realize that the author's agendas play a much larger role in this novel than is strictly appropriate.

Rating:
Summary: Don't even get this from the library
Review: Before reading this, I read the other reviews, so I read the book with cautious eyes. It's very obvious to me as well that this novel is awfully one-sided, even to the point of saying "The love story of Heloise and Abelard" on the front, as opposed to the usual "Abelard and Heloise". Although a bit vulgar at times, I do think it is a good read... just not very factual. If you're interested in the 12th Century lovers, I recommend skipping this book and reading the collection of their own letters instead.

Rating:
Summary: Don't even get this from the library
Review: Before reading this, I read the other reviews, so I read the book with cautious eyes. It's very obvious to me as well that this novel is awfully one-sided, even to the point of saying "The love story of Heloise and Abelard" on the front, as opposed to the usual "Abelard and Heloise". Although a bit vulgar at times, I do think it is a good read... just not very factual. If you're interested in the 12th Century lovers, I recommend skipping this book and reading the collection of their own letters instead.

Rating:
Summary: This is the worst
Review: I normally love historical, "fact" inspired fiction, but about half-way in this book really starts to blow chunks. Bad writing, no plot, unbelievable storyline.... Heloise leaves the convent? That didn't really happen, did it??

And the part about wondering around in the cold forest starving to death?
And the little dog named Aristotle that Abelard gives Heloise in consolation for the fact that she is stuck in a nunnery and therefore NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OR RAISE HER OWN SON- did that REALLY happen? I think the author took way too much liberty with the plot.
Yeah, then the little dog gets EATEN by WOLVES. I was like, wow.
How stupid is that.


The only reason I could even FORCE myself to finish this book was because I was impressed with the feminist postmodern angle taken by Marion Meade. However that did not make up for the fact that it reads like (smutty) adolescent fiction.

Rating:
Summary: A must-read on many levels
Review: I was thrilled to find the book. I had seen the movie and was fascinated by the story of Heloise and Abelard, but I was not prepared for the richness of this book. It covers the politics of the day (and the politics of the church), the history of impending war, and, with great passion, the forbidden love between two of history's greatest minds. The story of Heloise's life building her convent was fascinating. This book will remain close at hand for re-reads whenever I need a fix of great storytelling.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Historical Fiction
Review: If you've read some of the other reviews of this book -- you have to remind yourself of the historical FICTION portion. The story could be seen as one sided, simply because the recovered correspondence between Heloise and Abelard are one sided --- she pours out her undying love for him and he writes back to her reminding her of his duty and place with the Church and with god.

I thought that it was very touching. I didn't see how any of the steamy parts were vulgar...they were in no way gratuitous. I was entertained by the writing. I found myself wanting to know what happened next even though I knew the ending.

I wouldn't say to buy this book new. Find it used or check it out from the library. You have to read this book keeping a few things in perspective: the time period in which the story takes place and the fact that the book is historical FICTION. Some of the scenes mentioned by other reviewers may not have actually happened but the story follows very closely to what was actually written by the characters involved and the historical events transpiring during their time.

It's a good read. Give it a chance. If anything it made me more interested in finding out the history of their time and the individuals themselves outside of their relationship.



Rating:
Summary: Too One-sided Portayal
Review: Marion Meade's "Stealing Heaven" is a wonderful and touching account of the love affair between Peter Abelard, one of the most significant thinkers of his age, and Heloise, who in a different time period, might well have been considered the same.

A book like this has to be written as a novel. The events are too far in the distant past, and too many details have been lost, for much else. As such, it is well written and beautifully presented. It engages the reader, and captures the "feel" of 12th century France.

This being said, the book is not without its flaws. The focus is almost entirely on Heloise and her personal sacrifices -- and there were two persons in this relationship. In one sense, Abelard suffered far greater loss, both personally and professionally than did Heloise. This is not adequately displayed in the novel. Meade makes numerous negative speculations about Abelard's motives and feelings which really can't fairly be made. Essentially, Meade tends to look at the characters from a post-modern feminist viewpoint -- which is fine, as long as the reader is aware of what she is doing, and that her (Meade's) philosophical presuppositons were not those inherent in 12th century France!

Somewhat disturbing was Meade's suggestion that Abelard was (or had been) engaged in homosexual relations with one or more of his students prior to his involvment with Heloise. This is a rather serious (and unsubstantiated) charge which, in the eyes of many, would detract from his character, but which is not borne out by the available historical evidence.

I recommend this book with caution. If you are looking for an entertaining historical novel about some extremely colorful characters, you will enjoy this book. But you need to realize that there is a good deal of fiction mixed in with fact -- and it is not always easy to discern the difference.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, heart-rending read
Review: Never have Heloise and Abelard been portrayed so movingly as in Marion Meade's book. I could hardly put it down! And then, she describes medieval France so exquisitely. Every lover should buy this book. No story has moved me as much.

Rating:
Summary: a good book, but one-sided
Review: This is my first book on Heloise and Abelard. But I have to express my dismay at the way we see the whole story from Heloise's perspective. I feel for her and I think the writer has done a good job in creating this character. She is very alive. But Abelard seems cold, selfish, empty and simply not in love with this woman. I wish this book had concentrated a bit more on Abelard, his feelings, etc.