I've always been an admirer of the philosopher Abelard, and like everyone else, I found the story of his love affair with Heloise very touching. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to read a book like this. And I was not disappointed. This book was very well written. Rather than painting Abelard as an egotistical, condescending, self-absorbed brute as some writers have (I'm pointing a finger at the author of "Stealing Heaven"), this book portrays him in a more sympathetic light. In this book, he is more accurately depicted as a deep and insightful man. Helen Waddell builds on what we know about Abelard, rather than making a bunch of wild guesses. Her writing style, too, is vivid and eloquent. "Peter Abelard" is a must for anyone who is into the story of Heloise and Abelard or anyone who likes a good book. I highly recommend it.

(But whatever you do, DON'T blow your hard earned money by buying "Stealing Heaven") :)

I enjoyed Waddell's Peter Abelard. It's a book that requires multiple readings in order to appreciate Waddell's beautiful prose. It's obvious that Waddell (unlike say, Marion Meade) has a solid background in Latin, classical philosophy and 12th century Medieval Europe. But I found the novel's greatest flaw is its failure to convey the violently carnal passion between Abelard and Heloise. I was rather annoyed that Waddell avoided the seduction of Heloise by her use of changing narrative voice. Heloise comes across as bloodless, she never emerges from her sainthood to become the passionate woman of the Letters. But overall, the best account of the story of Abelard and Heloise out there. It's out of print in the US, but it's available for purchase in the UK - try amazon.uk.