"God's Fool - The Life and Times of Francis of Assisi" by Julien Green, translated from French by Peter Heinegg is a biography of Giovanni Bernardone, more commonly known as Francis of Assisi. I've heard the name most all of my life but knew nothing of his life story, nor what amounts to his 'saving of Christianity' during the early 13th century.
Not the easiest book to read. Syntax and structure are often a bit odd, probably due to being a translation from French. In addition, there are numerous references to the reader's assumed knowledge of Catholic theology and practices. Additionally, I honestly looked up more unfamiliar words than any book I've ever read.
"God's Fool" starts as many biographies do, the beginning, Francis's youth. The collected tales illustrate a young man who had worldly goals as most men do, including love of his mother, conflict with his father, and a cadre of friends he could influence. The pages continue through his conversion experience through the continual challenges he faced up until his death. The perspective is one that many current day readers will find archaic and anachronistic. In the end, the story of Francis of Assisi is about love - pure love, love of Gad, love of fellow man, love of self. [4/5]
Not the easiest book to read. Syntax and structure are often a bit odd, probably due to being a translation from French. In addition, there are numerous references to the reader's assumed knowledge of Catholic theology and practices. Additionally, I honestly looked up more unfamiliar words than any book I've ever read.
"God's Fool" starts as many biographies do, the beginning, Francis's youth. The collected tales illustrate a young man who had worldly goals as most men do, including love of his mother, conflict with his father, and a cadre of friends he could influence. The pages continue through his conversion experience through the continual challenges he faced up until his death. The perspective is one that many current day readers will find archaic and anachronistic. In the end, the story of Francis of Assisi is about love - pure love, love of Gad, love of fellow man, love of self. [4/5]
