Christine de Pizan: Her Life and Works

by Charity Cannon Willard

Christine de Pizan (1364 - c.1429) was France's first woman of letters. She turned to writing out of economic necessity, but soon found her way to the center of Europe's intellectual life. Christine openly expressed her views on many issues, particularly French politics and the condition of the lives of women.

Among her many enduring works are the official biography of King Charles V, the only contemporary account of Joan of Arc, and the classic defense of women, The Book of the City of Ladies.

The result of more than forty years of research, this definitive biography vividly recounts Christine's rise from society poet to eminent writer, and discusses her work at length and in relation to her life and times.

"A treasure trove of delights…her crisp and unpretentious prose makes this biography a pleasure to read." -- Katharina Wilson, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature

"A valuable contribution to women's history." -- Ms. magazine

"An outstanding work…a rare and judicious balance between erudition and popularization, sacrificing neither to the other and excelling in both at once." -- Marvin J. Ward, French Review

Genres: History, Biography, Medieval, Nonfiction, Medieval History, France, Feminism

266 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1984

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough, well-written biography of an important medieval author and one of the first well-respected female authors. My main complaint is that Willard, obviously a big fan of Christine, sometimes gets a little over-defensive in her addresses to Christine's critics, and the repeated emphasis on whether or not Christine was a "feminist" really has little place in this book. It would be more appropriate, if a feminist critique is really what Willard is going for, to include a separate chapter on this topic. Regardless, this book does a great job of placing Christine squarely within what was happening politically in France during her lifetime and helps to illuminate her works in context.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to be Christine de Pizan when I grow up. She was an intellectual, poet, and author of remarkable skill whom I admire immensely. Willard’s biography is an excellent overview of her life and works in preparation for a deeper dive into Christine’s writings. The book balances well between scholarly and popular writing. It is relatively enjoyable and concise without sacrificing factual accuracy or analysis. Willard makes a few minor observations that I interpret differently, but overall it was a great biography of a fascinating woman.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of her life. Little analysis.

[jaylee williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Hyarrowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing guide to the life of one of the most impressive women in any age – but doubly impressive considering that Christine lived during the Late Mediaeval period. Here are trials and triumphs that many a modern woman would be proud to have weathered, all carefully documented by her biographer. Christine's works are placed in the context of the time; her early poems, designed to catch the attention of her market, gradually developing into allegories and biographies of the great figures of her day. I would have welcomed a little more on her early life to explain how she grew into such an exceptional woman, but that's just a nitpick when compared to the light this book sheds on a writer who even today does not receive the attention she merits.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read a good biography of Christine de Pizan ever since I read The Book of the City of Ladies, and this one was largely satisfying. It is a blend of biography, historical context, and literary criticism of Christine’s works. I wish there had been a little bit more detail about her personal life, but I recognize that may be hard to include given the time period in which she lived.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I read a bunch of Christine's works before reading this biography. Why? Because this bio gave me new insight on those books and a better understanding. Plus I got to learn about Christine whom I've quite fallen in love with.