Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction: pre-modern (homo)sexuality: historical and theoretical issues; Homosexuality and gender: historical (trans)formations; Homosexuality, nature and taste; Queer (re)readings; Italian imports: tales of Sodom and other cities; Splitting hairs: (re)reading (with) Ronsard; Mourning/scorning the mignons: representations of heroism and favouritism at the court of Henri III; Montaigne's itchy ears: friendship, marriage, (homo)sexuality, and scepticism; Androgynes, hermaphrodites, and courtesans: women, queer nature and (queer?) pleasures; Towards modernity: on kissing, whipping, confession, and the closet - François de Sales and Henri III; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author

Gary Ferguson is a Professor of French in the Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Delaware, USA

Reviews

'One of the most balanced, well argued, elegantly written, and interesting studies in what is clearly an increasingly important field.' Philip Ford, University of Cambridge, UK and joint editor of Masculinities in Sixteenth-Century France ’...Recommended.’ Choice ’... Gary Ferguson's study is rich, informative, and lively.’ Renaissance Quarterly ’...an impressively wide-ranging and daring book certain to spur further study of its vast archive of materials and incite engaged responses to its bold and often brilliant analyses. Indeed, I would go so far as to say it is a groundbreaking book in the consolidation of the field of queer early modern French studies.’ H-France ’All those working on questions of sexuality in the French Renaissance will find interesting material and clear and balanced argument for them in this volume.’ Modern Language Review 'Gary Ferguson offers us an admirably researched, clearly argued, and beautifully written book that reveals with judicious nuance a multifaceted picture of homosexual culture in Renaissance France. [...] Queer (Re)Readings is a pleasure to read. It delivers a wealth of information and a model for moving through literature toward a deeper understanding of the past.' Sixteenth Century Journal