Abstract

One of the most important and successful historiographical works of the 20th century celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023: The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Zemon Davis. It was first published by Harvard University Press in 1983. Four Italian scholars address crucial questions on the methodological insights that this book still offers in various fields of the humanities and social sciences. Lisa Roscioni explains how historical writing interacts with the historical method (Rereading The Return of Martin Guerre today). Fabio Dei’s contribution deals with the relationship between Martin Guerre and the Peasant World. Fernanda Alfieri focuses on The Reasons (and Feelings) of Bertrande de Rols (the female protagonist of Zemon Davis’ essay). Finally, Ottavia Niccoli’s essay is about Martin Guerre [...] between History and Cinema.