Plot Summary

Holy Feast and Holy Fast

Caroline Walker Bynum
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Holy Feast and Holy Fast

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1987

Book Brief

Caroline Walker Bynum

Holy Feast and Holy Fast

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1987
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Period
Setting

Medieval Europe

Publication Year

1987

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Holy Feast and Holy Fast, Caroline Walker Bynum explores the intimate relationship between medieval holy women and food, examining how food's religious significance intertwined with piety, sanctity, and gender roles. Through historical accounts, Bynum highlights miraculous phenomena like inedia and how women related to God via food, impacting their societal roles and perceived spiritual power. The book contains descriptions of eating disorders and self-deprivation.

Informative

Contemplative

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.5

866 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Caroline Walker Bynum's Holy Feast and Holy Fast is widely praised for its groundbreaking exploration of medieval women's spirituality and ascetic practices. Scholars commend its thorough research and engaging prose. However, some criticize its dense theoretical framework and limited accessibility for general readers. Suitable for academia, it offers profound insights into religious history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Holy Feast and Holy Fast?

Readers who relish Holy Feast and Holy Fast by Caroline Walker Bynum are likely fascinated by medieval studies, religious history, and gender studies. Similar titles that appeal to this audience include The Book of Margery Kempe and Food and Feast in Medieval England.

4.5

866 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Period
Setting

Medieval Europe

Publication Year

1987

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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