The Complete Ruusbroec: English Translation with the Original Middle Dutch Text English Translation with the Original Middle Dutch Text

Ruusbroec is one of the few medieval writers whose work has been read, translated, and commented upon throughout the ages until today. One of the most translated writers in Dutch literature, Ruusbroec brings the literature of the Low Countries onto the world stage. Ruusbroec's genius is paradoxical. His stylistic devices are simple, but his wording flawless. He describes concrete details of daily life, but also seeks to evoke how the everyday participates in spiritual love and the Holy Trinity. He loves the Church, but his criticism of its corruption anticipates Savonarola. He praises secluded life, but also emphasises the universality of such life whereby the true contemplative is a 'common' person. This set of two volumes includes the complete text of all of Ruusbroec's works - the original Middle Dutch version as well as a new English translation - as published in Corpus Christianorum, Continuatio Mediaevalis, volumes 101 to 110. The edition is preceded by a short Introduction describing Ruusbroec's life and doctrine and summarising the dating and context of the various treatises and letters, and is followed by a source apparatus.