Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives and Loves of Italian Renaissance Women Poets [Paperback]

Irma B. Jaffe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

This book presents the life stories of twelve extraordinary women who lived passionately and recorded in poetry their happiness and heartbreaks. Our English translations of their poetry are intended to make their poems seem to speak their thoughts, and we have included a CD with sixty-eight of their poems recorded in Italian literature, so that we do in fact hear their thoughts. In addition, several chapters take up some controversial art-historical problems centered on one or another of the women, suggesting possible solutions. This copiously illustrated, interdisciplinary book of 239 poems-poetry-in-context--- is not an anthology; together with the CD of readings, and the challenging art-historical discussions of several paintings, it is unique. There is no other similar book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jaffe finds triumph of Italian over Latin and the development of individualism contributed to women poets flourishing during the period." -- Book News, July 29, 2002 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

IRMA B. JAFFE's books include Joseph Stella; Baroque Art and the Jesuit Contribution; The Italian Presence in American Art; Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives and Loves of Italian Renaissance Women Poets; and Giuseppe Betussi and Eleanora Falletti, Polygraph and Poet at the Dawn of Popular Literature. The recipient of many awards and grants, she founded the department of Art and Music at Fordham University, where she is Professor Emerita of Art History.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 429 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823221814
• ISBN-13: 978-0823221813
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #733,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dozen great female poets of Italy's history, September 7, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives and Loves of Italian Renaissance Women Poets (Paperback)

Written by Italian literature experts Irma B. Jaffe and Gernando Colombardo, Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives And Loves Of Italian Renaissance Women Poets is an impressive compendium chronicling the lives and times of well over a dozen great female poets of Italy's history. The stories and life events hidden behind their most enduring poems are related, and many of the poems are presented in their original Italian as well as English translation. An audio CD with selected poetry readings enhances this remarkable, unique, and very highly recommended addition to Italian poetry and Women's Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved every single poem I read!, December 1, 2003

By 

Eduardo Saenz (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives and Loves of Italian Renaissance Women Poets (Paperback)

I'm not just the webmaster of Irma Jaffe (visit at www.irmajaffe.com) but I'm also an admirer of her talent and knowledge of italian poetry and history.I'm very proud of working with you Prof Jaffe!!