23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elegant and insightful, November 29, 2002
This review is from: Reluctant Saint (Hardcover)
You'd think there would be little left to say about Francis. Thousands of articles, monographs, and books have been written about the little poor man over the last eight centuries. But Spoto has risen to the occasion in his new book. He makes sense of the frequently confusing chronology of Francis' life in a manner that marks him as a master biographer. But along the way he also offers rich insights about Franciscan spirituality and theology in particular and Christianity in general. (Spoto, by the way, has a doctorate in theology from Fordham University.) Here's an example: "Francis could not but surrender to the immediate impact of Jesus' words: indeed, he approached them simply but fully, putting into practice the biblical counsels without waiting to consider their every implication. In other words, in following the lessons of the New Testament he pursued the reverse of the usual means of pedagogy. He did not try to understand what the Gospel meant and then attempt to find ways of carrying out its message. Rather, he dared the experiment of first living that message, and from living it, discovered a new and practical way of understanding it." (p. 68) Reflections such as this alone would make the book worth reading. But Spoto is such a wonderful stylist and penetrating biographer that the entire book is a joy. I'd recommend it alongside Adrian House's recent "Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Read about an Interesting Life, October 4, 2004
St. Francis of Assisi acquired an amulet-like quality. He's a saint well-known in the popular vernacular--the humble friar in sackcloth with a penchant for caring for animals. The "real" Francis gets written about by numerous biographers. But Spoto's
treatment nonetheless stands out as a worthy read.
This book explains the main events, context and ideas of Francis' life and ministry. Spoto, a theologian by training, employs a narrative voice which is anything but Hemingwayesque,
as he tries to set up the setting for both the historical and theological context for Francis. The result is a literate, relatively brief, and fascinating good read.
The Francis who emerges is, not surprisingly, a more complex character than the garden-gnome St. Francis of the vernacular.
Spoto uses a light touch to set forth not only Francis' triumphs and innovations, but also his many frustrations and asynchronies.
What becomes of a rebel who is determined to cause revolution within a faith not entirely ready for him? This biography raises and addresses this question, without quite answering it.
Sometimes the narrative commentary distracts a bit, but overall, the narrative voice is a welcome companion. I was disappointed that Spoto rushes to put an "orthodox" face upon the universality of Francis' last songs. Spoto seems to be shadow-boxing with prior writers, without quite showing us the wayang play in progress.
But Spoto wisely recognizes that Francis is best treated as one who led by example, not complex doctrine. He also appreciates that Francis' life is not only extraordinary, but also adventurous and many-faceted. His Francis is no dry virtuous saint, but a living, eccentric man who pointed out a new way to live.
Can anyone live the truly virtuous life? This is what Francis' story asks of religious person and the irreligious alike. Although this book is written by an apologist, it's not a mere work of Christian apology disguised as a biography.
Nobody knows, really, quite who Francis was. But this life tells a lot about what western religious culture aspires to be. This is a good treatment of a fascinating life, well worth reading.
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28 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
AN AUTHENTIC LOOK AT SAINT FRANCIS, December 6, 2002
This review is from: Reluctant Saint (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.
- Gail Cooke
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