Catherine of Siena Paperback – October 28, 2009

I fell in love with Sigrid Undset while reading Kristin Lavransdatter and was intrigued to read this biography of St. Catherine in our church book club during Lent. Sigrid doesn’t disappoint. The political and cultural context of her life was complex, yet Sigrid makes Catherine’s story relevant and understandable. Sigrid weaves her own spiritual insights into Catherine’s story, revealing a deep spiritual life of her own (I didn’t realize that Sigrid was also a third order Dominican like Catherine). Some in our bookclub complained that the biography focused too much on the historical and cultural background of the time and not enough on Catherine’s spirituality. I thought the background was necessary to fully comprehend her as a person, as well as the difficulties she encountered and overcame in order to accomplish God’s will in her life. Reading the biography inspired many in our bookclub to read Catherine’s dialogues and now they have the proper background and context in which to read them.

This author is a good writer. It was very readable and if we imagine we live in difficult times, her times give perspective. A plague that killed 1 in 3, two men claiming to be the pope and battles/feuds all around Italy at this time. Violence everywhere. Her message of love and unification are humbling in our polarized culture. Worth reading and contemplating the life of this great saint.

This is a great book; a story expertly told by the author, Sigrid Undset. Unlike one reviewer who wanted a book entirely written by Catherine and gave this just a couple of stars, I totally disagree. I mean, these were complex times, both politically and spiritually and Sigrid obviously is a stand-up scholar on these matters and very much needed to tell the complete story. It is also obvious that Sigrid is drawing from a deep and personal wealth of information about Catherine and the times she lived in and the recorded memories and artifacts that have been left behind by this most remarkable woman. Therefore she is able to make this book very interesting. And you can tell that the author is also an honest human being, not bent on exaggeration to satisfy some hidden motive. Great book! Ron/owner of Ancient Vedic Radio

The author has totally captured the witness of a life powered by her bridegroom Jesus. Teaching us the power of the Spiritual over the finite flesh. Abandoning all objects of dust for the everlasting love of knowing and delighting in obedience to the Eternal ever living Messiah.

I have such a deeper interest in Catherine and will read the Dialogue next as author is exceptional in the writing style and such a gifted writer will look at other books such an interesting story and you don’t want to put the book down!

I’d suggest reading this bio before moving onto the Dialogue.Very readable. The author is amazing

Excellent book!!! Extraordinary!!! The author, Sigrid Undset, writes incredibly well, and you can tell she did a profound research based on the best historical sources available. She takes into account all the ancient biographers of Saint Catherine, as well as the comments we have from her spiritual directors. However, perhaps what's best of the book, is that the author gives us a theological insight of Saint Catherine's soul and thoughts. You will not only learn about the life of this great Doctor of the Church, but you will also get acquainted with her theological teachings, which will help any Christian who is seeking to love Jesus in a more realistic and truthful way. Besides, Saint Catherine gives us many tips and wise advises for those who are into spiritual combat...

Sigrid Unsted is recognized as one of the outstanding female authors of modern times. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. Her biography of Catherine of Siena appeared in English in 1954, after her death in !949. Unsted was noted for her historical novels and Catherine of Siena is the product of a close study of the voluminous documents created by contemporary authors in the mid 14th century. These documents reveal the mind and thoughts of an outstanding female mystic who lived at the time of the Avignon Captivity of the Papacy and the turbulent period in Rome and the northern City-States in Tuscany. It is the story of an extraordinary heroine of the times narrated almost verbatim from the dictated notes of her personal secretaries. I found the book to be absorbing and uplifting. Highly recommended.

This book has really brought to life the life and existence of St Catherine of Siena. Her life describes to the full of her love of the Bridegroom and how she would give up essentials to be more worthy. . A great history

This really was a high end hagiography. I would highly recommend it to others.

The subject matter is intense and the writing style is equally weighty. There is no dialogue; the focus is on a thorough description of the saint's mystical experiences. I had tried to read this as a biography, but perhaps approaching this from a spiritual perspective would have been more beneficial. As a recounting of true events, this book merits three stars; for spiritual enrichment and for meditative purposes it earns four.

This book, written by one of the finest authors of the early twentieth century, about the greatest man or woman of the fourteenth century, is really a wonderful readable and classic work that deserves a far wider readership than the odd Roman Catholic. Catherine of Siena was proof, if proof were ever needed of the absolute authority of a human being considered weak, frail, eccentric and weird, to be of far more potency than any government, warlord or power on earth. It is clear that Catherine of Siena was an incredible personality of such convincing and persuasive power that nothing or no-one could resist her influence.

It strengthened my faith.