New Way of Living: Luisa de Carvajal and the Limits of Mysticism

The Bainton Reference Works Prize Committee voted unanimously to award the prize to: The New Companion to Hispanic Mysticism, ed. Hilaire Kallendorf. Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition, 19. From the jury's report: This volume comprehensively covers a very important topic within the history of early modern religion – “Hispanic” mysticism. It provides not only a fine example of the state of current research, but also of new approaches to traditional topics and of new questions to be asked of the materials. Its innovative approach is most evident in the expanded geography of its vision that, looking beyond the traditional borders of Spain, now includes the Spanish possessions not only in the New World, but also in Europe (Portugal, Southern Italy, and the Netherlands). Such a larger geographical view of the field is echoed in the range of the discussions, with articles that consider the relationship of mysticism with such topics as gender, music, or space. Particularly noteworthy was the editor’s decision to seek contributions from scholars at various points in their career and from very different scholarly traditions (Anglo-American, Latin-American, Iberian, Dutch). This decision enriched the offerings and provided a healthy dose of diversity to the collection. The first four articles consider “larger trends” and thus provide a “survey” of the field that will be useful to scholars across the disciplines. The next eight consider “specific figures”, both male and female, both European and Latin American, and their relationship with such topics as gender, reform, Islam, or with their precursors, such as St. Catherine of Siena. The last five contributions illustrate the “interdisciplinary applications” the topic and current research both foster. The book is a terrific reference tool for anyone wishing to teach a course early modern mysticism in general or on Hispanic mysticism itself. Its introduction and its seventeen articles will be useful to scholars across the disciplines and the geography of Europe and its early modern expansion.