Epistolary Acts: Anglo-Saxon Letters and Early English Media

"While Old English letters have been largely neglected in the past as being of marginal literary interest and relevance, Zweck demonstrates that epistolarity was deeply engaging to Anglo-Saxon authors and audiences, "even those who may not have produced or received letters themselves." It is to be hoped that this book will stimulate further interest in Anglo-Saxon letters, both Latin and Old English."

Hugh Magennis, Queen's University Belfast, Speculum, vol 94 1, Jan 2019

"An exciting cross-fertilization of media and medieval studies, Epistolary Acts assembles Old English representations of epistolarity and communication in a wide-ranging book that will be of interest to scholars of early medieval literature and culture and to theorists of media and communication alike. Zweck is to be applauded for engaging both without losing either rigor or style."

Erica Weaver, UCLA, Journal of English and Germanic Philology

"Zweck’s book makes a significant contribution by arguing for a more inclusive understanding of epistolarity in early medieval English texts."

Emma Knowles, The University of Sydney, Parergon

"Jordan Zweck brings media studies to bear on early medieval texts in a way that is nothing short of illuminating. Incredibly well conceived, Epistolary Acts showcases Zweck’s skills as a philologist and close reader, and there is a great deal in these chapters that provides new insights on canonical and lesser-known texts alike. This book should garner broad appeal among medievalists, early or late, for its refreshing, original, and thought-provoking treatment of epistolarity in Anglo-Saxon England."

David F. Johnson, Department of English, Florida State University

"Jordan Zweck's Epistolary Acts is a wonderful example of how Anglo-Saxonists can use contemporary media theory to improve our understanding of Anglo-Saxon culture. In this well-written and detailed book, Zweck demonstrates convincingly that understanding how contemporary audiences understood ‛the letter’ can greatly enrich our own reading and understanding of these important documents."

Daniel Paul O'Donnell, Department of English and University Library, University of Lethbridge