Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi (Compass)
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Celebrity biographer Spoto who is recognized for his definitive biographies of such luminaries as Tennessee Williams, Alfred Hitchcock, and Ingrid Bergman is also a biblical scholar. For over twenty years he taught theology on the college level, which may well have been rich background for his acclaimed "The Hidden Jesus" (1998). He now turns his attention to another religious figure - Saint Francis of Assisi.
If ever there was an unlikely candidate for sainthood it was Francis. He came from a prosperous family, was rebellious, served as a soldier, and made a place for himself in the business world of his time. Is this the Francis that we revere today because of his unselfish kindness and compassion? The story of his transformation, although probably well known, is presented with fresh insights by Spoto.
The author views Francis from the standpoint of history, and infuses his biography with telling details of religion and society during Francis's day. Given these insights our traditional view of the saint is enhanced. In addition, readers learn a great deal about the turmoil and violence which was rampant in medieval Italy.
After reading this thoughtful study one no longer sees Francis as a thin other worldly figure surrounded by animals. That stereotypical picture is replaced by a portrait of an authentic human being, thanks to Donald Spoto.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Donald Spoto captures the essence of St Francis of Assissi with his sympathetic interpretation of the life and conversion of this widely loved Saint.
Brilliantly written. I gained so much from this read. Donald Spoto imparted his slant on religion mysticism and christianty with deep empathetic perception, whilst taking me through the historical events surrounding St Francis.
Now of course I am hooked, and I am currently reading The Hidden Jesus.
Brilliantly written. I gained so much from this read. Donald Spoto imparted his slant on religion mysticism and christianty with deep empathetic perception, whilst taking me through the historical events surrounding St Francis.
Now of course I am hooked, and I am currently reading The Hidden Jesus.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have no argument with the other 3 reviewers above, this really is a superb and very moving biography.
Be warned - the author is quite partisan, and is clearly a fond believer in (and has a very clear understanding of) the supreme power of selfless love, never mind whether it's cloaked in organized religion or the humble garb of a poor mystic. There's no codology about selfish genes here. And you don't need to be a Christian to be affected by this book.
However, I was rather disappointed to find so little on Francis' love of animals. It is finally mentioned around page 100, and 4 pages there take up the subject, including back-ground information on other medieval Christians' similar love of animals. The subject is given honourable, but brief, mention a few times again, including (movingly) at the end. But I feel for such an animal lover they would have featured much more visibly in his daily life and that is largely absent from most of the book.
I feel it wise to consider this if his relationship to animals is a subject you are researching.
And yet, I cannot bring myself to deduct a star, this book is that good.
Be warned - the author is quite partisan, and is clearly a fond believer in (and has a very clear understanding of) the supreme power of selfless love, never mind whether it's cloaked in organized religion or the humble garb of a poor mystic. There's no codology about selfish genes here. And you don't need to be a Christian to be affected by this book.
However, I was rather disappointed to find so little on Francis' love of animals. It is finally mentioned around page 100, and 4 pages there take up the subject, including back-ground information on other medieval Christians' similar love of animals. The subject is given honourable, but brief, mention a few times again, including (movingly) at the end. But I feel for such an animal lover they would have featured much more visibly in his daily life and that is largely absent from most of the book.
I feel it wise to consider this if his relationship to animals is a subject you are researching.
And yet, I cannot bring myself to deduct a star, this book is that good.
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