Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul (Paperback)

by Cathleen Medwick (Author) "Teresa de Ahumada began the first of her many journeys at the age of seven..." (more)
Key Phrases: new prioress, apostolic visitor, hemp sandals, Angel de Salazar, Juan de la Cruz, Maria de San (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Saint Teresa (1515-1582) is widely considered one of the greatest mystics and woman reformers of the Renaissance. Author Cathleen Medwick (a former editor at Vanity Fair and Mirabella) clearly invested an enormous amount of research into this impressive biography of a brazen and complicated woman. Although she broke many of the social rules for nuns and even women of her day (for instance, she slept under the stars, traveled at whim, and spoke her mind freely), it was her ecstatic raptures that made her so controversial. "Sometimes she dropped to the floor and was frozen in position for hours, unable to speak," writes Medwick. "At other times she conversed with God directly, a dangerous practice, the Inquisition often having its ear to the door." Readers will find a fascinating character in this fully flawed and charismatic Spanish saint. More delightfully, readers will appreciate Medwick's strong narration and sense of story that sustains us through Teresa's trials and tribulations--and expertly leads us to her final rapture. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
A fascination with what she calls the "journey" of the 16th-century Spanish saint sustains Medwick's disappointing biography of Teresa of Avila. The saint was both a profound searcher of the self who succumbed to rapturous interludes and a harried organization freak who struggled to bring about her vision of cloistered community while buffeted by illness and accusations. Medwick, a former editor for Vogue and Vanity Fair, rightly characterizes Teresa as "a daughter of the church," but her laudatory effort to situate her subject in the religious culture of contemporary Spain falls short of its objective. Medwick's Teresa is domesticated and ahistorical, disconnected from the world in which she lived. Medwick eschews analysis for summary, resulting in a rather superficial portrait of the saint. Far too often, also, it is unclear whose voice we are hearing, Medwick's or Teresa's. Unfortunately, the "journey" that Medwick recounts here is far less complex and penetrating than Teresa's actual one, as revealed by her life and writings. (Dec.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Image (January 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385501293
• ISBN-13: 978-0385501293
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #437,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC!, January 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul (Hardcover)

I have just finished reading this terrific book. I have been interested in St. Teresa and Spain since age 15 and have even visited Avila. This is absolutely the best book about St. Teresa I have ever read. Ms. Medwick humanizes this heretofore unapproachable saint and we get to know her as she no doubt really was--an extraordinary human being with faults and foilbles like all the rest of us. The narrative was fascinating--I felt like I was actually in 16th century Spain with Teresa and her contemporaries. A treasure. Thank you, Cathleen Medwick!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A balanced look at a Carmelite saint, April 6, 2000

By	Karen Sampson Hudson "Karen Sampson Hudson" (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul (Hardcover)

As a Third Order (Lay) Carmelite, I am pleased to recommend Medwick's book to anyone who wants a balanced account of the spiritual and secular journeys of St. Teresa, who lived during Spain's most storied and colorful century. Teresa is often misunderstood, even caricatured, but Medwick strives to show us a clear picture of this woman who was both extremely simple and wondrously complex. Teresa was well acquainted with the world, yet fell passionately in love with her Lord, who called her to look beyond the world into an eternal relationship with Him. Hers was the ancient and ever-new Carmelite experience. I somewhat expected a kind of sneering irony in tone, but, thankfully, I never encountered it, as Medwick did a scholarly and earnest job throughout. Kudos to her, whose account is well researched and compelling, a real-page turner.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intimate Look At A Controversial Saint, January 8, 2000

By	"kingsransom" (Como, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul (Hardcover)

I gave this book five stars because it's intelligent, witty and extremely well-written. A joy to read. The author makes us feel as though we knew Teresa personally. I've read other books about St. Teresa and I've also read Teresa's own works. I was impressed, really in awe. Medwick made me realize what I should have known all along: Teresa was both beautiful and brilliant, and had she been a 20th century woman she would have found many outlets for her boundless energy, enthusiasm and imagination. Living in the circumscribed world of 16th century Spain, however, Teresa's imagination worked against her; although possessing great business acumen, the woman was crazy as a loon. This book, however, is well worth the money and the time and is extremely enjoyable, myth-shattering though it may be. I'll no doubt read it again some day.