Random Number Lit - Big Book List the Letters of Abelard and Heloise is a Penguin Classics edition that captures some of the letters between the forbidden relationship of Abelard, a 12th century French monk, and Heloise, his one time pupil and nun. This collection of the letters includes Alexander Pope, 18th century British poet, which is the height of what this project is about seeing the intersections of where classic literature comments upon itself. Pope, best known for "The Rape of the Lock," also translated a famous edition of The Odyssey and took part in the discourse on the classics. The relationship of Abelard and Heloise has been viewed and referenced throughout classic literature. The first text that comes to mind that draws upon this story is Matthew Lewis' The Monk which I also read for this project. Lewis takes this story and inverts it but I think Lewis sees inside of this text what is possible as the underside of this tale. Abelard is complicated character and reading his "History" with a 21st century lens reveals a lot of issues in this courtship between tutor and pupil, between power imbalances but even inside the story of their own culture there are issues that arise. It was difficult to read at times and I am not sure I see Abelard through the same eyes that history has adjudicated this story. There is also a Youtube Channel, Substack, Twitter and Instagram for this project: randomnumberlit.substack.com and @randomnumberlit – Simply Search for Random Number Lit on Youtube and my playlists will come up. Every book sold will come with a short reflection on my experience reading the text. I will also include a bookmark and sticker with each volume. Each book bought is an invitation to a conversation with me about your reading experience in whatever method and medium you would prefer. #classics#classicbooks#classicliterature#classiclit#Alexanderpope#poetry#poem#letters#autobiography#biography#abelard#eloise