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Stealing Heaven (Hera)
 
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Stealing Heaven (Hera) (Paperback)

by Marion Meades (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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3 new from £33.51 8 used from £1.92

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Product details

  • Paperback: 415 pages
  • Publisher: Soho Crime; Reissue edition (31 Dec 1998)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1569470111
  • ISBN-13: 978-1569470114
  • Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.7 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 665,313 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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great romances
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Too "Hollywoody" for my tastes., 15 Sep 1999
By A Customer
I've been interested in the subject of Abelard and Heloise for a while and wondered which of the various books to buy: the Letters, a critical biography, or fiction. I was impressed by the perfect Amazon reviews of Stealing Heaven, and its promise of being more than a bodice-ripper. To be fair, it probably is more than that, but I must confess I hadn't got past the second chapter before I was flicking through some key events further on to see if it improved. It didn't.

So this review covers only the tenth of 'Stealing Heaven' that I actually read, but I suppose that's as valid as any: why I stopped reading. I realize that my tastes don't match the other reviewers who found in this book exactly what they were hoping for -- some of them had first seen a film based on the book. All of them seem to prefer the book. But that's probably the nub of it for me: this book is too 'Hollywoody', and indeed Americanized, for my tastes.

I found the style over-written -- in the opening pages she seemed unable to resist attaching an adjective to any loose object. I thought her interpretation of Abelard and Heloise, their motivations, the mores of medieval France, quite anachronistic: in fact, closer to post-war America. I know that Heloise was quite 'ahead' of her time, but I felt the book was written with a film deal in mind -- with its invented details and dialogue straight out of a superior mini-series about a feisty young modern girl battling against the strictures of her society.

This probably sounds harsh to the many readers who will indeed enjoy this book -- look at the six previous reviewers who gave it perfect marks. But I reckon that spread is misleading because in a sense it's a self-selecting group that chose a book tailor-made for them. I shall probably enjoy the Abelard-Heloise correspondence more.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read on many levels, 7 Aug 1999
By A Customer
I was thrilled to find the book. I had seen the movie and was fascinated by the story of Heloise and Abelard, but I was not prepared for the richness of this book. It covers the politics of the day (and the politics of the church), the history of impending war, and, with great passion, the forbidden love between two of history's greatest minds. The story of Heloise's life building her convent was fascinating. This book will remain close at hand for re-reads whenever I need a fix of great storytelling.
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5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely captivating, 22 May 1999
By A Customer
This is one of the most beatiful love stories ever written. I saw the movie quite by accident and made it my quest to find this book. I contacted several bookstores, but was unable to get a copy....then I just happened into a bookstore in Atlanta and there is was on display by the door......I would have spent my last penny to buy it (thank goodness I didn't have to!). I've shared this book with many of my friends and my oldest daughter and the reviews are all the same......enchanting; one of those books you just can't put down until you finish it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a bodice ripper!
This is a beautifully detailed, beautifully written historical novel. A factually accurate, sensual and moving version of the story of the 12th century French lovers Abelard and... Read more
Published on 2 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally gripping account of Heloise & Abelard's story
I first read about Heloise and Abelard in high school and remember being horrified by Abelard's punishment. Read more
Published on 1 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars I found this book to be extremely moving and eloquent.
I first read "Stealing Heaven" in 1979, and it was the first novel to ever bring me to tears. Two years ago I stumbled across it again at a used-book sale. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking & Beautiful
This is an absolutely wonderful book which has a slightly different take on the legendary Abelard & Heloise love story because it's written from her point of view. Read more
Published on 5 Nov 1998

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