Loire Poetics: The Schools of 1100 and the Roots of European Fiction

"Loire Poetics is an ambitious study that will be indispensable for all students of European poetry (not just Latin poetry) from the central Middle Ages. It presents bold arguments about the character of a new poetics emergent from the late eleventh century. The author's claims, while expansive, are built patiently from probing discussion of several dozen individual poems. By choosing to publish his monumental study in English, the author performs an important additional service, since the impressive artistry of the poets at issue-the giants Hildebert of Lavardin, Marbod of Rennes, and Baudri of Bourgueil, but also less familiar figures, such as Geoffrey of Reims-remains somewhat underserved by anglophone scholarship. Professor Verbaal's expert guidance should attract new students to these authors through his contextualized close readings and accompanying translations. The latter are often inspired, revealing a rare sensitivity to the idiom, tone, and pace of the originals." -Christopher A. Jones (The Ohio State University)