Internationally-known author Jean-Jacques Antier recounts Teresa's life in vivid detail, from her earliest years as a romantic and worldly young woman to her passionate love for Christ and subsequent efforts to reform the Carmelite Order. Easily one of the most amazing figures history has known, St. Teresa of ?vila led an exceptional life for a woman of her time as well as our own.
After reading Sigrid Undset's book sbout Catherine of Siena I was ready for another big book about a big saint. This filled the bill, including historical context, which was something that I really enjoyed in the Undset book.
I'm so glad I picked this up. I really felt immersed in Teresa's life. It was very inspirational as well as being informative. Coincidentally I am also reading The Betrothed for an upcoming podcast episode. Teresa's life, the discalced way of living, and her struggles all resonate to make the world of The Betrothed feel much more familiar.
My favorite part was midway through when the first convent was being established. All those details made me have a deeper appreciation for one of my very favorite books, In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. All of this is to say that the book resonated with me on several levels.
I really loved one little vignette when Teresa and John of the Cross were such good friends with surprising results.
Very privileged relationships were established and lasted for those two years that John of the Cross spent in Avila, and astonishing dialogues took place in the Inacrnation parlor. On May 17, 1573, Sister Beatriz de Ocampo, looking for the prioress, went to the parlor, where she found Teresa in ecstacy, and, on the other side of the grille, John of the Cross sent into levitation by ecstasy. Teresa excused herself saying, "You cannot speak of God with Father John of the Cross without having him enter into ecstasy and leading you along with him."
Highly recommended.
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