Therese of Lisieux

by Monica Furlong

Book Overview

Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) is one of the most popular and beloved of the saints of modern times. The patron saint of Mission and one of three women Doctors of the Church, her 'little way' has influenced millions and is perhaps the most admired of all spiritual paths.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394537068
• ISBN13: 9780394537061
• Release Date: September 1987
• Publisher: Pantheon Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

a worthwhile re-examination...

I am a big fan of Therese Martin, and I've read a number of her biographies, as well as her autobiography, though I don't know if I've read the original. Why? Because her writings were heavily edited by her sisters, as her photographs were retouched. Ms. Furlong's biography avoids many of these pitfalls. I found her approach refreshing. She describes the pietism of Therese's family, the unhealthy conditions in her convent,the personalities of her sisters and fellow nuns, the abusive observance of the Carmelite rule, her irrational mother superior, and the opportunistic way her biological sisters helped engineer her early recognition as a saint. All of this does not detract from Therese's psychological maturity and contributions to modern Catholic thought. So much about her life is known through letters and memoirs, as well as the testimonies at her canonization. It would be a good thing if a modern first-class biographer were to get access to all of these materials in order to write a modern biography of Therese, her life and times. Penguin is publishing a new biography of Therese this year, which may be just the thing.

Au contraire mes amies!

I found this book to be a refreshing change from the sentimental glop usually found in biographies of St. Therese. I was glad that Ms. Furlong interpreted Therese's life in light ofcontemporary psychology. For instance, Therese's severe childhood illness almost certainly had its roots in the fact that she had yet again lost a mother figure when her older sister entered the convent. (She had previously lost two mother figures.) The fact that Therese showed such maturity, strength of character and a will of iron during her brief adult life, despite her sad childhood is testament to her courage.