Simone Weil

by Francine Du Plessix Gray Narrated by Donada Peters

Overview

In*Simone Weil, du Plessix Gray vividly evokes the life of an equally complex and intriguing figure. A patriot and a mystic, an unruly activist plagued by self-doubt, a pampered intellectual with a credo of manual labor, an ascetic who craved sensuous beauty, Simone Weil died at the age of thirty-four prematurely after a long struggle with anorexia. But her tremendous intellectual legacy foresaw many of the twentieth century's great changes and continues to influence philosophy today.*Simone Weil*traces this seminal thinker's transformation from privileged Parisian student to union organizer, activist, and philosopher as well as the complex evolution of her ideas on Christianity, politics, and sexuality. In this thoughtful and compelling biography, du Plessix Gray illuminates an enigmatic figure and early feminist whose passion and pathos will fascinate a wide audience of readers.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

Pulitzer Prize finalist for her book At Home with the Marquis de Sade, du Plessix Gray rises superbly to the challenge of portraying the life of complex French philosopher, feminist, and activist Weil, who was born to affluent Parisian Jewish parents. Certain events related to her birth and childhood served to make Weil recoil from physical contact throughout her life and led to her long battle with anorexia. She died of tuberculosis and complications from anorexia at the age of 34, but her short life was filled with activities reflective of the deep-seated beliefs she held. She rejected the comfortable trappings her family provided, veiling herself in black, shapeless clothing. Weil resolved to experience for herself the demeaning life that the working class lived, considering this "the truest road to self-knowledge." She struggled against her Jewish heritage, drawn instead to Catholicism. Weil's writing is not well known in the United States, but she should be recognized for her tremendous intellectual contributions. Du Plessix Gray does an exemplary job of bringing this complex, intelligent yet tortured woman to life. Aptly read by Donada Peters, this is highly recommended for both academic and public libraries. Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll., Kansas City, MO Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171903015
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	07/03/2001
Edition description:	Unabridged

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