Description

Book Synopsis
The contributions to this volume show that, in pre-industrial Europe, women in their prime, women, that is, who had reached maturity and were beyond fertility, but not yet in old age, constitute a separate category for historical and literary analysis. These wise old women, or WOWs, took on tasks in society which were essentially different from the ones they had taken on before, mainly in the household. The case studies presented here show that some of these women entered a second phase of creativity and productivity and were even able to fulfil their desires at the age of forty. Being able, at last, to find their authentic selves, they acquired a female voice of their own. For some of them, for example, Christine de Pizan, the age of forty even functioned as a trope of female authorship.

The Prime of Their Lives: Wise Old Women in Pre

    Product form

    £54.51

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 9 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by Renee Nip, B. Mulder-Bakker

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Prime of Their Lives: Wise Old Women in Pre by Renee Nip

      Publisher: Peeters Publishers
      Publication Date: 00/08/2005
      ISBN13: 9789042915336, 978-9042915336
      ISBN10: 9042915331

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The contributions to this volume show that, in pre-industrial Europe, women in their prime, women, that is, who had reached maturity and were beyond fertility, but not yet in old age, constitute a separate category for historical and literary analysis. These wise old women, or WOWs, took on tasks in society which were essentially different from the ones they had taken on before, mainly in the household. The case studies presented here show that some of these women entered a second phase of creativity and productivity and were even able to fulfil their desires at the age of forty. Being able, at last, to find their authentic selves, they acquired a female voice of their own. For some of them, for example, Christine de Pizan, the age of forty even functioned as a trope of female authorship.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account