Teresa of Avila

The New York Times Book Review, Liesl Schillinger The book is a marvel of scholarship and wit--a dry-eyed vision of a dry-eyed saint.

Editorial Reviews Amazon.com 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

A balanced look at a Carmelite saint, April 6, 2000
Reviewer: Karen Hudson from Reno, Nevada
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.

An Intimate Look At A Controversial Saint, January 8, 2000
Reviewer: Robertino from Como, Italy
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.

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