48 pages • 1 hour read
Carlo GinzburgThe Cheese And The Worms: The Cosmos Of A Sixteenth-Century Miller
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Cheese and the Worms: The Cosmos of a Sixteenth-Century Miller by Carlo Ginzburg examines the trial of Menocchio, a 16th-century miller accused of heresy by the Roman Inquisition. The study explores Menocchio’s unique religious beliefs, influenced by texts he read, reflecting broader themes of peasant culture and its interactions with "high" culture. The book discusses historical torture methods and religious intolerance.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Carlo Ginzburg's The Cheese and the Worms offers a captivating microhistory of a 16th-century miller. Reviewers praise its rich historical detail and innovative perspective on popular culture. Some critique its dense academic language and occasional speculative interpretations. Overall, it remains a seminal and influential work in historical scholarship.
Who Should Read The Cheese And The Worms?
Readers who enjoy The Cheese and the Worms by Carlo Ginzburg are typically fascinated by microhistory, early modern Europe, and the social history of common people. Comparable books include Natalie Zemon Davis's The Return of Martin Guerre and Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie's Montaillou. These readers appreciate detailed cultural studies and the examination of marginalized figures.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Society: Community
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Religion / Spirituality
Education
Anthropology
Education
Anthropology
Italian Literature
Medieval Literature / Middle Ages