Natalie Zemon Davis Summary

In the following review of Fiction in the Archives, Adams contends that Davis's collection of pardon tales makes for enjoyable reading. Mini-storia, mini-noia, say the sardonic, or perhaps j... Read more

In the following review, Dewald maintains that Fiction in the Archives exposes readers to narratives fashioned by men and women from the sixteenth century. In all her scholarship, Natalie Zemon Dav... Read more

In the following review of Fiction in the Archives, Chartier contends that Davis's text blurs the boundaries between literature and history. History is narration—whatever the history.... Read more

In the following review of Women on the Margins, Adams finds that its individual stories of three women are interesting reading, but feels the book would be stronger if greater comparisons were made b... Read more

In the following review, Schutte recommends Women on the Margins while at the same time suggesting that Davis's interpretations of the individual narratives are in some instances implausible. ... Read more

In the following review, Blaisdell recommends Society and Culture in Early Modern France for its treatment of the lives of ordinary people in sixteenth-century France whose stories are largely neglect... Read more

In the following review of Women on the Margins, Kupperman contends that since Davis offers no conventional interpretation of her subjects' lives, she invites readers to formulate their own int... Read more

In the following review, Leonard finds The Gift in Sixteenth-Century France a valuable resource for students and professional historians. Natalie Zemon Davis, a professor of history emerita at Prin... Read more

In the following essay, Miller discusses the historical context of The Gift in Sixteenth-Century France and reviews earlier literature on the subject of gift-giving. I. Walter Benjamin, who perishe... Read more

In the following essay, Snowman discusses Davis's unique approach to history in such works as The Return of Martin Guerre, Women on the Margins, Slaves on Screen, and others. What is history... Read more

In the following review, Ladurie summarizes the narrative of The Return of Martin Guerre, praising Davis for an unbiased reconstruction of Guerre's story. The biographies of peasants and esp... Read more

In the following review of The Return of Martin Guerre, Hufton suggests that the Guerre story sheds light on many aspects of village life in sixteenth-century France. The preoccupation of historian... Read more

In the following review of The Return of Martin Guerre, Wagley contends that the book offers an introduction to a new type of history based on the lives of ordinary individuals. The story of Martin... Read more

In the following essay, Finlay discusses Davis's Martin Guerre film collaboration and her book in relation to the various versions of the Martin Guerre story that preceded those texts. While... Read more