Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of Her Age
by Fiona Maddock

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Book Reviews of Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of Her Age

Book Review: Good work, not "the best," though
Summary: 4 Stars

The truth is that Hildegard "von Bingen" was a woman of paradoxes: a hardline conservative Catholic who acknowledged the "weakness" of her sex yet fought for recognition in the Church; a deeply pious nun who appealed to the rule of St. Benedict and yet contradicted it when it suited her purposes; a woman dedicated to the religious life and eschewing the political, yet intricately involved in political correspondence and the shaping of policy.

Hildegard is fascinating, and Fiona Maddock's retelling of what we really know (and don't know) of her life is quite good. It goes into great detail, sometimes on tangents seemingly unrelated to Hildegard, and occasionally the writing wanders off so far that the reader becomes frustrated. Nevertheless, the book is loosely chronological, so it's not too hard to get back on track, and the writing itself is accomplished. Many of the tangents, however annoying, cast a welcome light on the customs and Church doctrine (different in many respects from today, or later ages) of Hildegard's day. Altogether, this book is intriguing and a good read, but be prepared for a few slow-downs.

Biographies & Memoirs Books

• History
• Religion & Spirituality