Saint Teresa of Avila: Devotions, Prayers and Living Wisdom by Teresa de Ávila

Saint Teresa of Avila: Devotions, Prayers and Living Wisdom Reviews

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  booklady

  I know that I read this, but when I recently recommended it to someone, I couldn't find it in my list of books ... ?
  
  Guess that means I get to read it again?!
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  Wren

  One of the worst translations ever! How many women from 4 centuries ago would have written 'pulled it off'. The unreliable translator makes the entire book suspect.
  
  My friend Petico spoke of Teresa of Avila and I have long been interested in her life. What should have been a very interesting read is dull and not really the journey of discovery I had been looking for; what I found was a woman of conceit and arrogance. There are no dates in this book and not enough of the social history I was looking for. If anyone could recommend a better history of Teresa or a more skilled translation of her writing I'd be thankful.
  
  
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  Craig Bergland

  Wow! This little book will be one I return to again and again, and it has inspired me to check out Mirabai’s other books on the Spanish mystics. I already knew and loved her from Caravan of No Despair and God is Love, but this was my first experience of her other work. I have read John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila in other translation that, to be honest, weren’t the most accessible. From the flavor of Mirabai’s translation in this book, I can’t wait to explore John and Teresa again! Bravo!
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  Alison

  I enjoyed learning a bit about Teresa… but am not sure I wholly “trust” this as a source. some of the translations seemed off, and the recounting of her life was a bit too “modern,” I guess I’d say? I also didn’t like the modern day poems interspersed in thr text — well, I liked them but at first thought they were from Teresa. I’ll definitely seek out more content on her!
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  Beth

  I have heard that St Teresa of Avila was beautiful, witty and wildly charming. You would never guess that from reading this self-flagellating autobiography. She spends the first third of the book beating herself up for having crushes on boys as a teenager. Then the next third is a tangent that she writes about contemplative prayer. What I was really craving was her wit. I may be better served reading what others wrote about her, than what she wrote about herself.
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  John Kaufmann

  Good overview of Teresa's life and work. I like Mirabai Starr's passion for and understanding of the subject (mysticism), and look forward to her lengthier work on Teresa, as well as St. John of the Cross.
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  Justice

  A Beautiful devotional of my favorite saint. Starr's insight and translations are modern and all encompassing. I highly recommend.