Kudos to Diane Webb for her superb translation of Pleij's fascinating work on the Dutch mythical land of Cockaigne, a land where food jumps in one's mouth unbidden and the rivers flow with wine
and beer. Pleij (Dutch historical literature, U. of Amsterdam) winds through the vast, recurring literature on the land of Cockaigne and ventures from the stories to their relevance to late
medieval life, its religion, literature, mores, expectations, humor, and the harsh realities that kept the mythical paradise a popular dream. This book will appeal to the general reader as well
as those interested in late medieval Holland, a land Pleij shows us is not so different from our own. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
