- Paperback: 300 pages
- Publisher: Ignatius Press (Oct 1 2009)
- Language: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Welsh
- ISBN-10: 1586174088
- ISBN-13: 978-1586174088
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.2 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 386 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #95,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
Sigrid Undset's Catherine of Siena is critically acclaimed as one of the best biographies of this well known, and amazing fourteenth-century saint. Known for her historical fiction, which won her the Nobel Prize for literature in 1928, Undset based this factual work on primary sources, her own experiences living in Italy, and her profound understanding of the human heart. One of the greatest novelists of the twentieth century, Undset was no stranger to hagiography. Her meticulous research of medieval times, which bore such fruit in her multi-volume masterpieces Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken, acquainted her with some of the holy men and women produced by the Age of Faith. Their exemplary lives left a deep impression upon the author, an impression Undset credited as one of her reasons for entering the Church in 1924. Catherine of Siena was a particular favorite of Undset, who also was a Third Order Dominican. An extraordinarily active, intelligent, and courageous woman, Catherine at an early age devoted herself to the love of God. The intensity of her prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor won her a reputation for holiness and wisdom, and she was called upon to make peace between warring nobles. Believing that peace in Italy could be achieved only if the Pope, then living in France, returned to Rome, Catherine boldly traveled to Avignon to meet with Pope Gregory XI. With sensitivity to the zealous love of God and man that permeated the life of Saint Catherine, Undset presents a most moving and memorable portrait of one of the greatest women of all time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.9 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Work of Hagiography Ever, Feb 23 2010
By Forrest - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Catherine of Siena (Paperback)
The greatest book ever written by a woman is really three books: KRISTEN LAVRANSDATTER, by Sigrid Undset, and she received the Nobel for this magnificent work. Near the end of her life, however, Undset took up the life of one of the Church's wisest, most courageous, and most lovable saints, Catherine of Siena. The work was published posthumously by Sheed and Ward and then fell out of print. What a tragedy. It is among the best works of hagiography ever; it is my personal favorite. God bless the good folks at Ignatius Press for bringing this masterpiece back into print. If you want to fall in love with this amazing woman, if you want to understand through the life of one of His dearest servants how best to love Jesus Christ, and if you want a beautifully researched and written history of 14th century Tuscany and the 14th Century Church, buy this book and read it often. (Buy additional copies and give them as gifts.)And if you think St Catherine was some kind of protofeminist because she scolded popes and negotiated with princes, read this book and understand that her motives had nothing to do with breaking glass ceilings. All that she did, from her least act of corporal charity, to her diplomatic efforts on behalf of her beloved Siena, to the dictation of one of Western spirituality's most mystical works, her DIALOGUE, was done for the same perfect motive: burning love of Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. It is a common slur that the Roman Catholic Church oppresses women. As Undset beautifully explains though the life of this glorious soul, the Church gave to women the liberty to live to the potential that God desired for them. Few figures, even among the saints, rival this little Tuscan woman in that regard. When one learns the life of St. Catherine, one doubts that there is a hagiography that can do it justice, and yet Undset does, tenderly and magnificently.
I give this book my highest recommendation.
This review was written by Christopher Check, Vice President of The Rockford Institute and writer and lecturer on Catholic history and ideas.
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent life of St. Catherine of Siena., Dec 22 2009
By Susan Mullen - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Catherine of Siena (Paperback)
I enjoyed this biography. Undset presents the saint's life in its time and location. The book is both meticulously researched and very readable. St. Catherine was strong-minded and driven, and those qualities come through very clearly. The main thing I knew about her before I read this book was that she lived only on the Eucharist for most of her adult life. I can see after reading the book that this was not pathological behavior, as it would be considered now. It was woven intimately into the whole person that St. Catherine was. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in learning more about St. Catherine and about the time in which she lived.
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written, engaging, Dec 2 2009
By Dylan Foss - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Catherine of Siena (Paperback)
This biography of St. Catherine of Siena is excellent. It is written by the Nobel Prize winner Sigrid Undset, author of Kristin Lavransdatter and Master of Hestviken (both well worth reading). She is an extremely gifted writer telling the tale of an extremely gifted saint. A page-turner.
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