Book Description
Stephen Maces "Stealing the Fire from Heaven - A Technique for Creating Individual Systems of Sorcery" is often touted as an excellent starting point for the aspiring magician/sorcerer as well as the experienced magician. Dagon Productions is proud to announce the publishing of the revised and expanded version of "Stealing the Fire from Heaven".
"This essay offers a technique that individuals can use to create their own systems of sorcery, systems precisely tailored to fit their own unconscious minds. By following its instructions, the reader can cause his or her subliminal self to design its own symbols to represent the powers that lie within it. The result will be what is essentially a personal language of power, one that has meaning only for his or her self, but full of potency because it is his or her own soul's way of expressing itself." - Stephen Mace
Customer Reviews:
Magic at it's best.......2005-09-27
Don't hesitate to buy this small book in case you're looking for a brief summary of the most important and practical elements of magick. This book doesn't require to belief in a special sort of magic systems. Take it, read it and use it within your own universe.
One of the Best Books on Sorcery Around.......2004-12-02
This book is really one of the best books on sorcery I have read. It does not have the popularity it deserves; this is one of the few books which contains real magickal techniques that will actually work.
I particularly was interested in and enjoyed the portions discussing automatic drawing and the creation of a personal Alphabet of Desire.
Average customer rating:
- Long- winded and Redundant. Characters are annoying. 2 Stars for the core story.
- The pinnacle of MH's impossible loves
- Very strong female lead - my favorite all time romance!
- Heart pounding intrigue and poignant love story
- A Great Read
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Stealing Heaven
Madeline Hunter
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0553583565
Release Date: 2002-07-30 |
Book Description
Nationally bestselling author Madeline Hunter has thrilled her legions of fans with sensuous novels of intrigue, adventure, and romance. Now she weaves a spectacular tale of an English knight, a Welsh rebel, and a relationship that would defy their world and everything they believed possible between a man and a woman...
Stealing Heaven
Marcus of Anglesmore was not at all happy about being betrothed by the king to a woman he’d never laid eyes on. So when the brooding English knight accidentally came across her in a moonlit garden, he was both surprised--and delighted. Intelligent, charming, and beautiful, she was the most captivating woman he’d ever met. But the magic of that enchanted moment is soon shattered by cold reality: Nesta is not the woman he is to marry, but her sister. Of all the women Marcus might desire, none could be more dangerous than the wild and tantalizing Welsh witch with secret ties to both rebellion and king. For Nesta, no one could jeopardize her plans more than a man who would know the secrets of both her heart...and her body. Yet the course of their lives--and the destinies of their two nations--will be forever altered as they defy everything to surrender to the most daring seduction of all....
Customer Reviews:
Long- winded and Redundant. Characters are annoying. 2 Stars for the core story........2007-09-27
Madeline Hunter can really write, but this book was one of her less enjoyable efforts. I liked the fact that she tackled a war that is rarely mentioned in romance novels. The history provided is accurate without overwhelming the story. Those attributes made the story worth 2 stars to me. The characters and the repetitive ideas concerning the romance between them were disappointing.
The main couple consists of an English Lord and the daughter of a former Welsh leader. Marcus is in the service of King Edward, holding lands in the conquered territory of Wales. Nesta is a Welsh loyalist. The story takes place during one of the Welsh rebellions against England. This could have been a great tale. Unfortunately I couldn't really love either character. Marcus was weak and gullible, constantly risking being destroyed by Edward just to keep Nesta with him. This would have been romantic if Nesta had been worth the risk. Nothing about her was likable. She ruthlessly risked her own neck and Marcus's by committing numerous acts of treason to help the Welsh rebellion. He ran in circles trying to keep her from getting herself hung, meanwhile losing the respect of his peers and chancing forfeiture of his family's home, land, and status. When he would open his heart to her, she would lose her temper and tell him there was no love between them. The only time Marcus and Nesta were not fighting was when they were "making love". (But don't dare call it "love" when speaking to Nesta... she insists it is only "lust".) The whole book repeated these themes over and over. I could not see why Marcus would think she was worth the gamble, which made me see him as a total sap.
Irritating characters , repetition, and no true romance... not a great combo. Hunter's use of realistic events made it worth finishing the book, although many pages were skimmed through.
The pinnacle of MH's impossible loves.......2007-07-20
"Besides, I always said, if a thief is going to hang, it might as well be for a horse and not an apple."
"When did you always say that?"
He smiled slyly. "When I was a thief."
"So now I am a horse?"
He shook his head. "You are the stairway to the stars. It is heaven that I am stealing here [with you]."
I'm completely spellbound. Bewitched. Enthralled. Mesmerized.
A singularly memorable Madeline-Hunter novel, STEALING HEAVEN rises high above romance stereotypes and its tendency to dwell on characters' appearances. STEALING HEAVEN chronicles a fervid romance, a heart/gut-wrenching romance, an impossible romance, a romance that you simply cannot forget. There's a few books you read once in a blue moon that just never leave you. STEALING HEAVEN is just such a romance. Once I started reading, I literally could not stop. I smiled, I laughed, I cheered, and the novel even brought me to tears. Madeline Hunter throws the gamut of emotions at her unsuspecting readers like me in STEALING HEAVEN.
With BY POSSESSION (****), BY DESIGN (***) and finally STEALING HEAVEN (*****), Madeline Hunter appears to raise the stakes on impossible loves each time. Whereas status and birth seemed to separate our star-crossed lovers in BY POSSESSION and BY DESIGN, there's a lot more at stake in STEALING HEAVEN dividing our hero and heroine. A lot more. As STEALING HEAVEN's heroine Nesta reminds her hero Marcus more than once, "What I want is a small thing in this. In any of it. In all of it."
The chemistry and passion between Marcus & Nesta crackles with a profound intensity.
Marcus of Anglesmore. Marcus lays it all on the line, he risks everything to win his heroine. He's handsome of course, but he also exudes power and cunning. He's experienced it all: being groomed for a lordship as a young child, then having brutally lost it all, watching his sister forced so he could live, living in poverty and thieving to earn a cold, hard piece of bread and then having his lordship returned to him again. When Marcus arranges to dupe Nesta into a betrothal, it really hits you what he's risking in order to win Nesta considering all of Nesta's dangerous connections. If anyone were to discover what Marcus intentionally fails to report about Nesta's treasonous activities, Marcus would lose everything, he would lose it all again and his life in a blink of an eye. As he tells Nesta from the start, "I would fight to claim you..." And fight he does, even using Nesta as an instrument to claim her. Marcus doesn't care about Nesta's past, he doesn't blink twice about Nesta's promiscuous reputation, and even after their first time he doesn't ask her about it.
What Marcus risks for Nesta considering how little he knows for sure about her shady history and considering what he suspects regarding her treasonous plans for the future makes Marcus's plight to win Nesta that much more moving, that much more soulful. Not to take anything away from Nesta, but STEALING HEAVEN belongs to Marcus.
Towards the end, Nesta realistically points out, "The King's man should not be so easily swayed by passion, Marcus." Marcus confidently replies, "The King's man did his duty. If he found a way to do it and avoid a war, he is content. If he found a way to do it and keep the woman he loves (Nesta), he is satisfied. If that woman takes his hand willingly, he will consider it the greatest victory of his life."
Yes, Marcus sure has grown up since BY DESIGN. Wow, his character is realistic, sensual, cunning and honorable. And yes, romantic beyond any words of expression.
I don't think I've ever read a heroine quite so mature, quite so confident, quite so bold, quite so shrewd, quite so unafraid of the world of men as Welsh-born Nesta verch Llygad. She doesn't blush and melt at Marcus's every touch, she doesn't back down to Marcus's "maleness" and deploys her own female weapons in return, and boy does she give him a run for his money in the battle of wits and deception. Usually even if the heroine is a widow, her first marriage was loveless. However, Nesta has actually experienced pleasure before Marcus. It takes courage to write such a heroine in historical romance, I doubt most romance readers warm up to a heroine like Nesta, confident, beautiful, cunning, and not above using her "weapons" (beautiful figure) to get what she wants. And you have to be beautiful if you caught the King's eye. Nesta has tons of dark connections and a ton of dark history. Duty and love wrench Nesta's heart, and her journey as a worldly-wise and cynical woman to actually realize her little girl's dream of true love with a dashing, handsome knight was simply breathtaking. She's totally worthy of Marcus in every way. Marcus is totally worthy of her.
Even though THE PROTECTOR's Anna is the strongest of Hunter's heroines from an athletic and leadership point of view, STEALING HEAVEN's Nesta verch Llygad is the boldest and most cunning of any Madeline-Hunter heroines I've read to date. As far as the combined realms of brains, beauty and experience goes, Nesta wins hands down, no contest.
Although the title of the book literally refers to Marcus stealing heaven, I thought it could have gone the both ways. In the subtle ways Nesta thwarts Marcus's attempts to marry Nesta's sister in the beginning, she steals heaven for herself too. Only a strong-willed, extremely cunning woman like Nesta could steal heaven in Marcus's arms, every bit his equal in their battle of wits.
The Story.
King Edward has arranged Lord Marcus of Anglesmore's marriage to a Welsh girl with royal blood. After delaying the meeting with his intended for weeks, Marcus finally steals into the garden on a moonlit night for a glimpse of his future bride. Following an electric meeting, Marcus promptly steals some heaven right then and there with some kisses. Marcus anxiously returns the next morning for a formal meeting with his intended bride only to find that he stole kisses with his intended bride's sister Nesta last night. Marcus is livid. The witch didn't tell him who she was when he was kissing her last night!
Readers from BY DESIGN will remember Marcus "Mark" as Joan's younger brother, the heir to Anglesmore. Marcus and his sister Joan had to escape Anglesmore and live an impoverished life in London after Mortimer's man Sir Guy Leighton terrorizes Anglesmore. BY DESIGN ends with Anglesmore returned to Marcus and Addis de Valence (BY POSSESSION) serving as Marcus's tutor and warden. Marcus has already led a scrappy life going from riches to rags back to riches. He's been a thief, fighting in a gang, learning to be a lord, and training to be a knight. The roots of his vast street-smart experience shows clearly in STEALING HEAVEN, and god, has he ever grown up! Under Addis's guidance so too does he demonstrate his honor and cunning as a capable lord.
While Marcus fumes over Nesta's true identity and his strong reactions to her, Nesta schemes to escape London with her younger sister Genith while the King is out of the country. Welsh-born Nesta has surreptitious plans for herself and her sister, and they don't include marriage to the English lord Marcus. She dismisses her own reactions to Marcus as a magical foray from another world, and completely impossible. Marcus has other ideas. Marcus gives chase and finally captures Nesta and Genith after much hardship and in spite of Nesta's clever plots to throw off any pursuit. With Nesta and his future bride Genith in tow, he heads to his seat in Anglemore near the Marches. He also decides to quickly marry the sister Genith as the King arranged and be done with it.
Again, Nesta thwarts him.
After Nesta plots an escape again, Marcus is left with just one sister, Nesta. Marcus's emotions and reactions to Nesta boil over and he resolves to walk a very sharp double-sided edge as the King's loyal baron by tricking Nesta into a betrothal. A betrothal the King could very well disapprove of given the King's connection to Nesta. A betrothal that could could cost him everything. A betrothal to a rebel that could end with his life. Nesta's furious reaction to the betrothal is too fun.
The story rages on in intensity and poignancy as Marcus and Nesta spar in a battle of wits and deception, a battle surrounding a rebellious plot with Welsh freedom at stake. A Welsh autonomy and freedom Nesta will do just about anything for. A worthy cause, to be sure. Both Nesta and Marcus understand each other, both anticipate each other, both accept in each other a conflicting and betraying call to duty, and yet, both still manage to find heaven in each other's arms. Impossible love, you say? It doesn't get more impossible than Marcus and Nesta. At times, this battle of wits is very fun, at other times, very heart-wrenching. At the end of the day, it's all worth the price of admission.
I'm going to be re-reading this one.
Very strong female lead - my favorite all time romance!.......2007-05-19
Loved it - Nesta was so strong and commited to her cause and while she was conflicted between her love of Wales and her love for Marcus, an English baron, she didn't give up her father's dream of a free Wales. She was also very clever, she helped mastermind a large scale rebellion to overthrow English rule of Wales. Nesta clearly decided that her love for one man had to be sacrificed for the greater cause, and Marcus understood that and didn't hold it against her, even though he was on the opposing side. It is rare to find such a strong female protagonist. I recently red May McGoldrick's 'The Rebel' which had some similarities but it wasn't nearly as good as 'Stealing Heaven'. Before I read this novel, my favorite was Jo Beverley's 'Dark Champion', but it's now a close second to 'Stealing Heaven'. I've read most of Hunter's romances, and this is definately the best.
Heart pounding intrigue and poignant love story.......2006-08-13
By order of his King, Marcus of Anglesmore has to marry, and his chosen bride is a Welsh maiden, daughter of a noble Welsh lord and enemy to the English. Marcus is not happy about it but will obey his king. He sneaks into a moonlit garden to gain a view of his bride and is happy with what he sees. He becomes so enamored with the lady that they share an intimate moment together before he steals away. The next day, he discovers, to his shock, that the lady he met in the garden is not his bride but his bride's older sister, Nesta; the king's mistress.
Nesta is a beautiful and courageous woman, determined to prevent her sister's marriage from happening and also plans to escape with her sister back to Wales where her people wait for her. After several failed attempts, Nesta eventually succeeds in hiding her sister away but now must face the same predicament herself. With her sister gone, Marcus insists on a betrothal to Nesta in order to aid the King's plans to gain control of Welsh lands. Because of her love for Marcus, Nesta reluctantly agrees.
She, however, will not allow their growing love for each other to betray her loyalty to her people. In fact, Nesta is relentless. Her heart is torn in two but Nesta will not walk away from trying to accomplish her father's wishes, which is to ensure Welsh independence from the English. She is the heart and iconic symbol for the people of Wales to resist English control. She willingly accepts her role as one of the leaders of the resistance, while her own heart is lost to an English baron who will lead the army to subdue her people. Marcus knows this and will do whatever he can to fulfill his king's wishes and also keep his lady safe. Because of Nesta's complicity in leading the Welsh resistance, there are many who want her death. Beset by enemies among the English, her only refuge is by Marcus's side even as she betrays him.
This was a heart-wrenching read of memorable characters, bound by honor and loyalty, to betray each other despite their love. The story is flawless, poignant and hard to put down. Nesta is an enigmatic character, proud and unmoving against forces beyond her control, while Marcus is a shrewd tactician, tenacious in staying a step ahead of Nesta in an effort to thwart her treasonous plans and keep her safe.
I promise you'll not find this a tedious read.
A Great Read.......2006-05-04
It was the first romance novel i ever read and now i am hooked. great for those who enjoy the historical romance.
Customer Reviews:
Couldn't get past page 50.......2006-05-23
From the back cover:
A rakehell. A scoundrel. Sir Aidan Kane was both and not the sensitive, lonely widower Norah Linton had expected to find. She had been tricked into coming to Castle Rathcannon by letters actually penned by Cassandra, Aidan's high-spirited daughter. Cass, as beautiful as a fairytale princess, had decided to give her wayward father the perfect gife--a wife. Now Norah was face to face with a dark-haired, green-eyed devil who not only didn't want her, but, it was whispered, had murdered the first Mrs. Kane.
The mere idea of being leg-shackled to a prim, on-the-shelf spinster put Aidan Kane in a roaring bad temper. Then he realized who this chit was. As granddaughter of the great General Linton, Norah had the untarnished reputation and respected name that could keep Cass from being snubbed for his sins when she came out in London. Yet there was a danger in marrying this courageous woman who stood her ground before his wrath. She might discover the vulnerable man beneath his devil-may-care mask, crack the ice around his heart, and let loose feelings that promised all the delights of heaven...or a desire that could damn them both.
And my review:
After reading some glowing reviews about this book, and about Kimberly Cates in general, I decided to give STEALING HEAVEN a try. I was not impressed.
My first complaint was that this historical novel didn't have a year, so I couldn't be entirely certain what era this book was set in. A minor complaint, but a pet peeve of mine. Since the heroine wears a pelisse, I assumed this was set in the Regency era, but I couldn't be sure.
My biggest problem with this book was the way it was written. The author took forever to say anything. It was as if she were being paid by the word. I felt that each page was really just a long, drawn-out version of what could have been a good paragraph. I've got nothing wrong with descriptive writing, but reading a romance novel shouldn't feel like work. I kept finding myself bored, and had to keep forcing my attention back to the novel. That shouldn't happen. With a good book, I get so "into it" that I lose track of time and the world around me. I wasn't in any danger of that happening here.
Also, the whole "he's so gorgeous and I'm so plain" complaint of the heroine got really annoying really fast. Why can't romances be about two people with average looks who find each other attractive? That's how it works when you're in love!
An excellent read.......2005-08-08
This book had a compelling story with great characters that grabbed me from the very beginning. The story line is described below so I don't need to describe it further, but the most significant angle of the book is that the past is catching up with Adrian, and Norah- a quiet (almost homely) woman- gets caught right in the middle of it. It's really great to see how she does in the "sink or swim" situation of being married to such a dominant and strong man as Adrian. It's also wonderful to see how Adrian completely falls under her spell of quiet strenght. I never had a problem with the pace of the story - It flowed naturally from one chapter to the next, and though at times characters might be considered cookie cutter - the dark hero and the "milk and water" miss - Adrian and Norah were a great combination and a compelling read.
NOT THE BEST CATES BOOK BY FAR.......2004-08-18
BASED ON THE PREVIOUS REVIEW I WAS QUITE ANXIOUS TO GET INTO THIS ONE. AFTER 2 CHAPTERS I JUST GAVE IT UP. CASS IS A SPOILED BRAT OF A GIRL AND AT AGE 15 A BIT OLD TO INNOCENTLY FIND HER DAD A WIFE.....NORAH IS A MOUSE AND KEEPS MENTALLY FLITTING OFF TO FANTASIES OF ROMANCE THAT SHE THINKS ABOUT AND WE'RE BORED WITH. THE HERO SOUNDS HUNKY AND SHOWS HIS VULNERABILITY RIGHT OFF BUT HE WENT FROM "NEVER" GETTING MARRIED TO "COURTING" NORA FOR THE GOOD OF HIS DAUGHTER IN 7 PAGES......TOO MUCH UNREALITY FOR ME SO I GAVE THIS ONE UP. IF YOU WANT A GREAT CATES BOOK, READ GATHER THE STARS FOR ONE. DON'T WASTE TIME ON THIS ONE.
Another wonderful story by Cates!.......2000-04-04
Stealing Heaven is the book that got me started on Cates. Her stories are sweet and tender. This is one of her best--up there with Gather the Stars and Magic. Sir Aidan Kane's teenage daughter, Cassandra, sends for a bride for him by letter. Aidan is furious when Norah arrives at his castle expecting to marry him. She is shoked to find him young and handsome with a dark past--it's said he killed his first wife. He is not the lonely old man she was expecting. Despite the rough start, Aidan's daughter, is still determined to get them together. I loved Aidan and Nora. There were interesting secondary characters too. There was a dark mystery that kept me glued. The romance was touching--they had the sweetest wedding night! Definitely worth checking out.
Customer Reviews:
Too many rambling speeches.......2007-05-04
From the back cover:
Abducted by greed...
Torn from her bed by an unknown abductor, heiress Gillian Forrester found herself on the way to Gretna Green and a forced marriage with a wastrel she despised. If she must choose between her life or her innocence, she would risk disaster itself to escape...and she did, only to lie unconscious on a country road, waiting for death, or for a rescuer.
Rescued by love...
Dante Tremaine, the "Rakehell Earl" of Morgan, was on the way to his ancestral home when he found an injured young woman--and his destiny. The exquisite beauty had no memory of her identity, and any gentleman would scour the earth to find her family. But Dante was no gentleman, just a lord who wanted this lady. Was there honor in this rakehell earl...or just dangerous desire? Now, Gillian was at his mercy and at the mercy of a passion so towering it could easily rival heaven...
And my review:
As another reviewer said, there was too much dialogue in this book. I agree. Characters were constantly breaking into long, rambling speeches. One person would ramble for ten minutes, then the other person would do the same, then the first person would ramble again...you get the point. I found it annoying, and not at all realistic. Who talks like that?
There also needed to be better editing in this book. There were some instances of very awkward writing, and also places where things just didn't make sense. Sometimes that happened in the same sentence! For example: "It would be an adventure, like the romantic tales she liked to read in which the damsel is saved from the vile villain by the hero, a hero was is always handsome and always strong." Okay, first of all, that's kind of awkward and run-on. But also, a hero "was is"? Huh? "A hero who was always handsome and and always strong" would have made sense. A hero "was is" doesn't.
Guess I'm in the minority, but I can't recommend this book. Second try of this author, and probably my last.
True romance.......2000-03-24
On his return to his home, Dante Tremaine, discovers a young girl lying in the middle of the road, unconscious. From the moment he commits to helping her, his heart is lost to the mysterious beauty who can't remember her name or where she's come from. When the truth comes out, he's helpless to walk away, even though there is a bad history between their families. What ensues is pure adventure, pure romance, and truly a great read. The dialogue sparks, the setting comes alive, and in the end, you will find yourself putting this one on your keeper shelf like I did. Dante is one of my favorite Reding heroes and Gillian is his perfect match. I'd give this ten stars if I could.
A strong and wonderful writer.......2000-03-23
This is one of Jaclyn Reding's earlier books, and though she has gone on to later time periods since this one,her Restoration series is excellent. Every book I've read of hers shows careful research and strong writing. I read historical romance as much for the history as for the romance, and this author delivers both, always in interesting ways. Her history is accurate, and her characters have real, complex, intense emotions, all of which I think are part of a good historical romance. STEALING HEAVEN is well written, as all of her books are, and the story is compelling. Gillian and Dante are well defined characters, and very likable. Ms. Reding always writes with intelligence and sensitivity, which are important in a great romance. I enjoyed this story very much, and I will definitely read other books by her. This is an author to check out, and an author to remember!
A great adventure.......2000-03-23
This book was a truly enjoyable! I came to write my review and saw CKINGLUV's remarks and thought he/she could not have read the same book as me. Then I went and saw that CKINGLUV seems to make an occupation out of writing nasty reviews for talented authors like Jill Barnett and Mary Jo Putney! I wholeheartedly disagree with her comments about this book especially. STEALING HEAVEN was a delightful adventure with a wonderful romance between Gillian and Dante. The addition of the characters from the earlier stories was an added feature. The interaction between the two characters was well-written, especially the dialogue. The description and narrative more than enhanced the story and the sub-plot about the plague in England at this time was truly interesting. If you ask me, CKINGLUV, your saying you won't read Ms. Reding's work again is really doing her a favor. She doesn't need a reader like you, and neither do all the other authors whose work you have criticized unjustly.
Too much dialogue, not enough story........2000-01-06
I gave this book two stars, because Ms. Reding did take the time to think up a story and write it down. I don't want to sound ungrateful for the effort. I truly had to force myself to finish it though. I am one of those readers who feels a certain commitment to a novel once I've begun it. I feel this novel was so very basic in its expressivness as well as its descriptivness. There was so much chit chat among the characters, I felt bored with them. This droll chit chat carried through even into the characters' thoughts. I think this in turn severely damaged the chemistry of Dante and Gillian. Frankly there was none. Gillian was portrayed as, before her time, highly curious and bright. Honestly, could not her dialogue have reflected this. Dante was toted as a Rakehell Earl. How very silly, his past truly was not well established enough for you to even begin to have this image of him. Sorry Ms. Reding this the second novel of yours that I have read and it is most likely my last.
Customer Reviews:
Dramatic and heartfelt historical based on a true love story .......2006-04-10
Based on one of history's greatest love stories, this heartwrenching novel tells us of the doomed romance between Heloise and Abelard.
In twelfth century France, Peter Abelard is a philosophy teacher at the cathedral school of Notre Dame. Considered the greatest teacher of the time, students from all over flock to Paris eager to hear his teachings. Widely admired for his dedication to his profession, he will meet his downfall when he falls in love with a local canon's niece.
Raised in a convent, Heloise is a strong-willed young lady with an insatiable desire for knowledge. And with such passionate nature, she possesses a rebellious streak especially when it comes to the society's perception of women as mere chattel. From the day that her Uncle Fulbert has made her aware of his plans to marry her off to a wealthy man, Heloise has expressed her dislike for marriage. Therefore, when he accepts Abelard's request to rent one of his rooms, he doesn't think twice about it despite his relatives' concern about his maiden niece living under the same roof as Master Abelard. In fact, he has so much trust in Abelard's chasteness that one of the conditions he gives Abelard is for him to take Heloise as a pupil. And so begins the tragic romance that will shock the nation and which will become one of histories most popular love stories of all time.
While Shakespeare has immortalized the romance of Romeo and Juliet, the story of Heloise and Abelard will always be more powerful for the fact that we know that it happened and we have their letters that tell us of the sorrow that the lovers, especially Heloise, has lived after the vengeful castration of Abelard. Marion Meade does a good job in describing the atmosphere of the time that the book really draws you in and the characters are so vivid adding to the intensity of the story.
This is a truly passionate retelling of the doomed love of Heloise and Abelard. But I did find that this book is more focused on Heloise's feelings. You see the depth of her love for Abelard and how she suffered with the nagging doubts about Abelard's true feelings for her, her shock at how he seemed to have readily accepted his fate as God's punishment for not resisting his feelings for her. The author has done a great job in her depiction of Heloise that, at times, it was painful to read how Heloise ached for Abelard's love and for what could have been if not for her uncle's revenge. And this is where some may have a problem with Abelard's character. Because the book is almost entirely focused on Heloise, I myself had some doubts about Abelard and truly wish that I were able to get the same sense of conviction for his true feelings.
But despite this, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves medieval history and passionate love story. As long as you keep an open mind that this is a fictional novel based on facts, and know that there are embellishments for story-telling purpose, this is a wonderful and captivating book for romance buff.
Entertaining Historical Fiction.......2005-01-16
If you've read some of the other reviews of this book -- you have to remind yourself of the historical FICTION portion. The story could be seen as one sided, simply because the recovered correspondence between Heloise and Abelard are one sided --- she pours out her undying love for him and he writes back to her reminding her of his duty and place with the Church and with god.
I thought that it was very touching. I didn't see how any of the steamy parts were vulgar...they were in no way gratuitous. I was entertained by the writing. I found myself wanting to know what happened next even though I knew the ending.
I wouldn't say to buy this book new. Find it used or check it out from the library. You have to read this book keeping a few things in perspective: the time period in which the story takes place and the fact that the book is historical FICTION. Some of the scenes mentioned by other reviewers may not have actually happened but the story follows very closely to what was actually written by the characters involved and the historical events transpiring during their time.
It's a good read. Give it a chance. If anything it made me more interested in finding out the history of their time and the individuals themselves outside of their relationship.
This is the worst .......2004-10-16
I normally love historical, "fact" inspired fiction, but about half-way in this book really starts to blow chunks. Bad writing, no plot, unbelievable storyline.... Heloise leaves the convent? That didn't really happen, did it??
And the part about wondering around in the cold forest starving to death?
And the little dog named Aristotle that Abelard gives Heloise in consolation for the fact that she is stuck in a nunnery and therefore NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OR RAISE HER OWN SON- did that REALLY happen? I think the author took way too much liberty with the plot.
Yeah, then the little dog gets EATEN by WOLVES. I was like, wow.
How stupid is that.
The only reason I could even FORCE myself to finish this book was because I was impressed with the feminist postmodern angle taken by Marion Meade. However that did not make up for the fact that it reads like (smutty) adolescent fiction.
Don't even get this from the library.......2003-11-12
Before reading this, I read the other reviews, so I read the book with cautious eyes. It's very obvious to me as well that this novel is awfully one-sided, even to the point of saying "The love story of Heloise and Abelard" on the front, as opposed to the usual "Abelard and Heloise". Although a bit vulgar at times, I do think it is a good read... just not very factual. If you're interested in the 12th Century lovers, I recommend skipping this book and reading the collection of their own letters instead.
A good, but one-sided book. . ........2001-08-18
. . .which doesn't present a balanced perspective -- OR the both sides of the story.
This is an entertaining (and at points, steamy) historical novel detailing the relationship between the great theologian Peter Abelard, and his much younger female student, the intelligent and witty Heloise.
In the 11th century, teachers in University were expected to be celibate (whether or not they were members of the clergy). While not (to my best knowledge) a matter of canon law, such celibacy was a deeply ingrained custom. Peter Abelard was neither the first nor the last teacher to throw such customs to the wind -- his case remains noticed because of the dreadful vengeance directed against him.
Yes, Abelard violated custom by his affair with Heloise. However, any work which would portray Abelard as a ruthless aggressor and Heloise as an innocent victim are reading their own 20th and 21st century feminist perspectives into an 11th century situation. Both individuals were adults, both were consenting, both were aware of the customs and social mores, and both were aware of the possible penalties. This work does the relationship a great disservice by suggesting otherwise.
The real villian in this story is Heloise' uncle. Here was a man who engaged in his own extended sexual dalliances, and who took a personal vengeance against the greatest teacher in Paris -- a vengeance in which the punishment did NOT fit the crime, and which caused untold harm to the University.
Finally, the author includes a strong undercurrent of homosexuality throughout the novel. I remain unconvinced that this was necessary. First, she accuses Abelard of numerous homosexual encounters with his students -- an accusation which flies in the face of the best history we have, which states that Abelard did indeed keep his celibacy until his meeting with Heloise. Second, her descriptions of rampant lesbianism in the various convents in which Heloise found herself was unnecessary to the story and another historical liberty.
I enjoyed this book (and the movie, for that matter) but the pure student of church history will realize that the author's agendas play a much larger role in this novel than is strictly appropriate.
Product Description
6 massmarket paperback Regency Titles By Madeline Hunter - By Possession - By Design - Stealing Heaven - By Arrangement - The Protector - Lord of a Thousand Nights
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Stealing Heaven
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739427857 |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly: Love, loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness are issues often touched upon in romances, and Hunter (Lord of a Thousand Nights) explores them more thoroughly than most in this serious yet sensual medieval romance. English knight Marcus of Anglesmore is commanded by King Edward III to wed Genith, the youngest daughter of Welsh rebel chieftain Llygad, in order to bring peace to the volatile English/Welsh borders. But he meets Genith's older sister, Nesta, first, and there's never any question whom he desires. Known as "the King's whore" owing to a possible dalliance with Edward, who quickly married her off to an elderly Scottish lord, Nesta is her father's heir; she's inherited his cause and will do anything, even risk losing Marcus, to further it. At night, the two come together as lovers, but during the day, they are torn apart by their loyalties his to Edward and hers to Llygad's memory. The solution to their predicament doesn't come easily, but in their struggle to reconcile duty with passion, they grow as characters. Hunter paints a vibrant portrait of life in the 14th century, and her protagonists sparkle with an intelligence that will endear them to readers. A large dose of suspense and a number of beautifully written sex scenes help round out this absorbing read.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Stealing Heaven
Madeline Hunter
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OKTU4S |
Product Description
History's Most Daring, Lovers..Peter Abelard, the celebrated 12th century philosopher, and his prize pupil, beautiful,brillant and fiercely independent young Heloise. Together they defied the rigid conventions of church and society to indulge in a forbidden love affair and together they suffered the consequences.
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