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[/amazon_link]As a Frenchman, this book caught my attention. I had never heard of Renée de France before. Who was she? I though that if EP was publishing a short biography about her, there was a good reason for that.
This is the fascinating story of a little known figure of the Reformation. Renée could have been Queen of France if the laws of the time had permitted a woman to access the throne. Instead, she married the Duke of Ferrara. Reformation ideas were making good progress in Italy at the time. Renée surrounded herself with French people, and protected many protestants refugees. She corresponded with Calvin and several other reformers.
She had to face many challenges, and her struggles have much to teach us today. I was grateful for this little book. I was sent a review copy and wasn’t required to write a positive review. It won’t take you long to read, and you will discover a real women, with fears and doubts, facing severe opposition. Many of the questions she faced are still around today, and I especially enjoyed the chapter summarising her correspondance with Calvin and what it teaches us.
Emmanuel,
Thanks for contributing to the Bitesize Biographies – Renee of France blog tour. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book.
Shaun Tabatt
Cross Focused Reviews
Thank you for this kind review. I am glad you enjoyed the book. I agree with you that Renée’s struggles have much to teach us today. This is one reason why I wrote this book.
I am glad your review gave me an opportunity to find out about your blog. I am planning to explore more of your writings soon.
It was a great read. I would love to see something like this little book in French. It would be really useful I think. Faith being seen as something private is a big issue here.
That would be great, Emmanuel! Maybe this book can be translated. It’s not very long.
What I plan to do is to edit one or two of Calvin’s letters do the duchess and put that online. I don’t think I’ve got the skills to translate that, but if I find someone to do it, I’ll try to encourage them.
I know people who can translate it, if you have a publisher. Anyhow, Calvin’s letters are the best part!
Thanks, I’ll see what I can do.