Loving Soren [Paperback]

Caroline Coleman O'Neill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

Set in Copenhagen and the Danish West Indies in the mid-nineteenth century, LOVING SOREN is the true story of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, told from the point of view of his fiancee. It is about a woman who tries to save a man from himself, and ends up losing her self in the process. And it raises the issue: can you ever get over your first love? A historical novel of faith, love and idenity about one of the most regarded philosophers of the modern era.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: B&H Fiction (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080543089X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805430899
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #733,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Loving Soren is my first novel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and beautiful book!, July 5, 2005

By 

Jeanette L. Thompson (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Soren (Paperback)

I just finished reading Caroline Coleman O'Neill's account of Regina Olsen's version of "Loving Soren" Kierkegaard and I actually hated the thought of finishing the book because I just didn't want it to end. If you are a fan of Jane Austen's writing, then you will absolutely love the mind of Ms. O'Neill. I am amazed at the vision, the implementation of that vision and the sheer romance of her mind. She is a vivid, energetic, poetic storyteller which completely draws you into the time and space of the actual events. I found myself identifying completely with Regina (yet knowing that I could not possibly be more the antithesis). You can tell from this book how much Ms. O'Neill loves life, how much she appreciates people and how much she loves the Lord. It was thrilling, easy reading, romantic and challenging all at the same time. She didn't write this book assuming her readers ignorance, she wrote it celebrating her readers intelligence. I loved her descriptions of both the surroundings and the minds of the characters depicted in her book. Clearly, she took great care and time to give us as close to an authentic account as possible and we are ALL the better for having had the pleasure of sharing such an intimate account of Kierkegaard's life, Regina's heart and Ms. O'Neill's mind. My only disappointment was that I wanted to know more about what happened to Regina -- perhaps that will come.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars love lost, May 24, 2005

By 

Shannon "elflass" (Flower Mound, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Soren (Paperback)

The story of the uncertain, unstable and ultimately broken engagement between philosopher Soren Kierkegaard and his young fiancee is explored in this recent novel.

It is preferable that the reader have some familiarity with Kierkegaard's work and aesthetic; if not, this book may not be the most enjoyable. However, it does not delve overly much into the philosophical aspects (somewhat disappointing to me); the main focus is the longing and emotions of an impressionable young woman regarding her first real love, a reflective but mercurial man of philosophy.

The story is told in third person but hinges almost wholly on the thoughts of Regine Olsen (aka Regina). Throughout much of the story she is quite young and thus is somewhat plaint and weak of character, which as a teenager is her prerogative; she does display a charming cleverness which brings her to the attention of Soren Kierkegaard. The down side of this is that because of her youth and inexperience there is much repetition of the adolescent anxiousness in the vein of, "Is he thinking about me now?" etc. Again, as she is still a girl with romantic notions some of this to be expected, but as it carries on it grows somewhat tiresome. Even the title (which comes off as somewhat sappy) has a sort of romance novel ring. I had hoped that as Regina matured over the course of the book she might evolve somewhat, but for the duration of the somewhat stormy engagement she still presents herself to her fiance as a victim waiting to be used. (I mean, "I'd even live in a cabinet if it meant I could be close to you"?!?)

Kierkegaard, for all his brilliance and introspection, comes off as manipulative and capricious, his actions fatal to their budding love. It is difficult to gain an objective view of Kierkegaard, as there is much about him that is unknown to Regina, and thus he remains an enigmatic figure (perhaps somewhat suited to a philosopher?) He does control her until the very end, and beyond; years after breaking off the engagement, he left to her the disposal of his finances, thus irrevocably entangling himself into the rest of her life, even though she had married elsewhere and had been so for many years. Again, the reasoning behind his need to bind her to him (or to his memory) definitely merited more examination, but with the point of view being solely Regina's, this wasn't very possible. As it was, he forced her ever after to regard him as (to put it callously) "the one that got away," initially by severing their romantic ties and later by dying.

It would have been more satisfying to have a broader analysis of the health-related aspects of his life as well; in reality his melancholia was one symptom (as was the hypergraphia) of a more encompassing condition, and it would have been interesting to have this explored more deeply as Regina came to understand him better.

Despite some pitfalls, the book was an enjoyable read, and quick (which I didn't expect for a book based around a philosopher); I would however supplement it with a sturdy biography of Kierkegaard and perhaps more examination of the historical evidence of Regine Olsen, as just a glimpse is given in the quotations at the start of each chapter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars artfully and realistically written, January 8, 2009

By 

myrtille (athens, gr) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Soren (Paperback)

a very well-written and interesting book. a bit sad of course, but also greatly insightful. except for the issues of romance and relationships, it also deals with depression. i found it mirrored many issues from modern day life and was thuswise actually wise.
i also learned a lot of things about the complex and genious personality of this philosopher, which i found really interesting. i'm glad i bought this book, i intend to read it again sometime, it deals with so many many issues.