Meister Eckhart and the Beguine mystics : Hadewijch of Brabant, Mechthild of Magdeburg, and Marguerite Porete /

The eight exploratory pieces gathered here are revisions of papers first read and discussed at the 28th International Medieval Conference (Kalamazoo, 1993). Their main focus is Meister Eckhart's relation to three northern European women mystics of the 13th and early 14th centuries--chiefly Marguerite, who may have influenced Eckhart directly and whose Mirror of Simple Souls is accorded nearly twice the attention here as the writings of the other two women combined. The apparent consensus among the several essayists is that between the three Beguines and Eckhart there are (besides important differences) important affinities--variously discernible, e.g., in their notions of mystical union, spiritual poverty, and embodiment. The essays are all excellent. Though each is sufficiently self-contained to be appreciated on its own, all are, as intended, also complementary. Taken as a whole, this book about late medieval "vernacular theology" (McGinn's apt phrase) is superbly researched, suitably nuanced, challenging, and above all illuminating. Highly recommended for all libraries with collections in medieval history, mysticism, or women's studies. Ancillary assets are the full, edifying footnotes and a select bibliography of books in English. Upper-division undergraduate; graduate; faculty; general. C. MacCormick; emeritus, Wells College