The Book of the City of Ladies (Penguin Classics)

I have never read this sort of book. This book is knitted with the true stories of history and folk stories. The author had questions in 1405 which are still relevant to ask in 2020 and would be after a century, she didn't just ask the questions but tried to answer them in her best way and I also failed to find any other way. She has mentioned innumerable stories of great women of the past and present of her time who shown their greatness as a warrior, lover, mother, devotee and all the other roles needed by today's time. The author must have read hundreds of books, and she intelligently pulled them in her book of around 500 pages. The book was originally written in French and translated into many other languages later. She crafted the book in a very simplistic, and innocent way. I could imagine myself reading her more books. The sentence writing and choice of vocabulary made this book excellent classic literature.The book is divided into three parts and those parts are divided into a number of sections and each section has its own story and tries to answer her questions. She bursts all stereotypes which society has for a particular sex. When I was reading the book, I was thinking at the back of my mind, how society is still carrying those stereotypes with them. Stereotypes are like weeds in a non-cultivated or barren land that lacks irrigation and right seeds and care by a farmer with enough knowledge to grow something that has some use in this world. Likewise, our mind without the knowledge and right information create stereotypes that are not dangerous for its own mind but dangerous for humankind. Christine de Pizan has debunked each andevery ill-information which is prevalent in society against women. Christine who has the art to ask the difficult question in the most innocent way, asked the questions which came to her mind after reading several books about the female sex. I am glad to read this book and would like to encourage everyone to read this book. I want to thank my friend who suggested me to read this book, after reading this book - I have learned numerous stories to tell of legendary women.

Catherine de Pizan (1364-1430) was the first French professional woman of letters. In this volume, she spiritedly defends the achievements of women in various fields, proving they are no less capable than men.