A Life in Letters

Simone Weil is something of an otherworldly figure, at once distant and fascinating, like God, the ultimate nature of reality, and death itself. These letters bring Weil closer to us, even as they make her personality look even more complex. We learn a great deal about Weil from these letters, and yet somehow that only enhances her mystery. Read this book. -- Costica Bradatan, author of <i>In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility</i> These letters are a gift for those who love the writings of Simone Weil but wish to learn more of the wild complexities of her life, and their impact on those dear to her. -- Janet Soskice, author of <i>The Sisters of Sinai</i> Appearing for the first time in English, the letters Weil writes to her parents show a different facet of her life and character than we have previously been able to see. They introduce readers to new dimensions of her singularly important philosophy. The introduction by Robert Chenavier is most helpful and informative. Both engrossing and illuminating, this book will appeal not just to Weil's devotees, but also to historians, art critics, literary scholars, and philosophers. -- Françoise Meltzer, The University of Chicago Simone Weil’s radical empathy illuminates every page of A Life in Letters. Alternating between the quotidian and the quotable, this extraordinary collection allows us to eavesdrop on Weil’s innermost thoughts, opening a window into the heart and mind of a philosopher whose iconoclastic insights are more relevant than ever. -- Eric Weiner, author of <i>The Socrates Express</i>