Mark DAVIE, *Half-serious Rhymes. The Narrative Poetry of Luigi Pulci.*
(Publications of the Foundation for Italian Studies, University College, Dublin.)
Dublin: Irish Academic Press. 1998. 199 pp. ISBN 0 7165 2601 8
Cost: 29.50 Irish punts.
Available from: Irish Academic Press, 44 Borthumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin
4, Ireland.
* * * *
Although in effect greatly responsible for the initiation of the Renaissance
romantic epic, the ambivalent quality of Pulci's *Morgante* has lacked until now a
thorough analysis in an English-language book. Mark Davie's monograph analyzes the
circumstances that gave rise to the composition of the *Morgante*, and the
expectations of its readers. It studies in considerable depth the author's poetic
technique and his sources. As well as the original analyses provided by Mark Davie,
the appendix is also valuable to scholars, as it contains selected passages from
Pulci's sources, otherwise very difficult to obtain.
* * * *
George Ferzoco tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
Director of Studies for Italian fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
University of Leicester e-mail [log in to unmask]
School of Modern Languages
LEICESTER LE1 7RH UNITED KINGDOM
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