IN THE series Oxford Textual Perspectives, Martin Eisner, a professor at Duke University, explores the reception and transformations of Dante’s “little book” of poetry and prose narrative and commentary, Vita Nuova, on his love for Beatrice, in manuscripts, print, translations, and adaptations. Dante’s New Life of the Book: A philology of world literature (OUP, £18.99 (£17.10); 978-0-19-886964-1) is illustrated.