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The Book of Kells
- Author
- Victoria Whitworth
- Narrator
- Victoria Whitworth
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 9 October 2025
- Run Time
- 8 hours 36 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
A new and definitive account of one of the most famous and mysterious manuscripts in the world.
The Book of Kells is a mystery. It is distinct from all copies of the gospels from the early Middle Ages, not only in the quality and amount of its decoration but also in the peculiarities of the ordering of its contents, the oddness of its apparatus, the appearance of the script, the interplay of text and ornament, and the erratic forms of its Latin. Scholars cannot agree on the number of scribes and artists involved; or establish the purpose of the Book; or decide whether its oddities are the result of incompetence or carelessness, and how those oddities relate to the minutely careful and deeply meaningful art.
The Book of Kells is probably the most famous manuscript in the world – and Victoria Whitworth's masterly treatment offers something new.
Critics Review
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PRAISE FOR VICTORIA WHITWORTH:
'An extraordinary book' TLS, on Swimming with Seals.
'A beautiful, rich tale... The deep joy of this book is in its portrayal of everyday life in a harsh time. Gripping and highly recommended'The Times, on Daughter of the Wolf
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Details
- Author
- Victoria Whitworth
- Narrator
- Victoria Whitworth
- Duration
- 8 hours 36 minutes
- Release Date
- 9 October 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035907717
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- European history: medieval period, middle ages, Religious and ceremonial arts, History of religion, History of art, Manuscripts and illumination
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents The Book of Kells: Unlocking the Enigma, written and read by Victoria Whitworth.A new and definitive account of one of the most famous and mysterious manuscripts in the world.The Book of Kells is a mystery. It is distinct from all copies of the gospels from the early Middle Ages, not only in the quality and amount of its decoration but also in the peculiarities of the ordering of its contents, the oddness of its apparatus, the appearance of the script, the interplay of text and ornament, and the erratic forms of its Latin. Scholars cannot agree on the number of scribes and artists involved; or establish the purpose of the Book; or decide whether its oddities are the result of incompetence or carelessness, and how those oddities relate to the minutely careful and deeply meaningful art.The Book of Kells is probably the most famous manuscript in the world – and Victoria Whitworth's masterly treatment offers something new.
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