Letters of Abelard and Heloise
To which is prefix'd a particular account of their lives, amours, and misfortunes
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise preserve the correspondence of the twelfth-century philosopher Peter Abelard and his former pupil and wife Héloïse, written after their affair had ended in his castration and their entry into religious life. Héloïse, now abbess of the Paraclete, writes with undiminished passion; Abelard answers as a monk and a director of souls. This edition reproduces the free English version by John Hughes, first printed in 1713 and reprinted many times through the eighteenth century, prefaced by his account of their lives and followed by Alexander Pope's poem Eloisa to Abelard, which Hughes's translation inspired, and by Judith Madan's answering poem, Abelard to Eloisa. English readers knew the story in this form for two centuries. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Letters of Abelard and Heloise
Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Letters of Abelard and Heloise online?
Yes. Letters of Abelard and Heloise opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Letters of Abelard and Heloise free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Letters of Abelard and Heloise is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Letters of Abelard and Heloise in the public domain?
Yes. Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard is a public-domain work, here in the translation by John Hughes. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Letters of Abelard and Heloise?
About 3 h 11 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Letters of Abelard and Heloise?
Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.
