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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Solid 3.7. A very interesting look at a court case and how it was dealt with both within and outside of its community.
Very interesting book, although because of Davis's method it can be difficult to tell how much of it is solid fact and how much of it comes from her imagination. It's a very lively story, though, and I found myself very much on the side of new!Martin.
A really great short and funny feminist historical true story! Approachable!! If you want to read some historical writing this is a great place to start!! Davis arguments are well done and it’s a creative approach to history that is not often super clear that being the lives of provincial women.
funny
informative
fast-paced
A fascinating example of microhistory that deals with the lives of sixteenth century villagers in France. Definitely a recommendation for anyone interested in the field.
Fascinating spotlight on a curious incident and what it tells us about life during that period.
This account of a 16th century identity theft is very accessible, and provides a lot of historical context for the lay reader unfamiliar with peasant life in 16th c. France (!). What I enjoyed most, however, was the history of the story after the trial takes place. Davis follows an account from the presiding judge, in a sympathetic aside that even includes the judge's adoring letters to his young wife. She follows its inclusion into a "prodigious history," a kind of tabloid of its day that would include accounts of monstrous births, peasant revolts, comets and floods, and even, it seems, spontaneous (and naturally occurring?)sex reassignments! The history of books and reading is almost more interesting to me than the actual story. Add a little Montaigne at the end, as she does, and I think you can't go wrong.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
Fascinating and groundbreaking historical work. Helped establish the genre of microhistory.