Acedia & me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life Audiobook

" I loved the sections that read like memior. The lengthy quotes from the desert fathers and mothers, on the other hand, were far less interesting or engaging, at least for me. I thought there was a lot more about monks than marriage or a writer's life. "

" The concept of acedia really drew me into this book, as I readily identified with it--spiritual slothfulness, or as I put it, "knowing what would make you feel better, yet not doing it". Or as St. Thomas Aquinas expressed it, "not following the demands of love". The author, Norris, says acedia is not the same as depression, although they are first cousins. Anyways, I felt like the book was not well organized and somewhat repetitive. Then it seemed like acedia became the underlying cause for everything: greed, materialism, overly busy lives, etc, and I felt the intial meaning got a tad lost. BUT, despite all that, I would still recommend this book because I think a lot of people get little attacks of acedia throughout their lives and this book names it and gives some ideas for how to combat it. "

" Kathleen Norris shares her life experiences and relates the comfort she recieved from the Benedictine tradition. The medevial church regarded Acedia, or self-centered apathy, as one of the seven deadly sins. "

" The most important book I've read in the last ten years. Remarkable. "

" Deep, interesting, thoughtful. She explores "Acedia" which is a lack of feeling, a sense that who cares, it doesn't matter, why bother. CLosely related to depression, but not the same. Also weaves in the story of her marriage and her husband's failing health. A little too esoteric and preachy for me, but interesting. I am ready to read something a little more lighthearted now! "

" Sometimes painful, but always honest. "

" totally worth it. yes. she's got a lot of clear ideas that undercut our current way-of-thinking and brings us back to a practical and accurate understanding of what the heck we are doing as spiritual beings. amen. "

" Skimmed it as the topic is not as compelling to me although she is a good writer and acedia (spiritual melancholia) and monks are of interest to those held near and dear. "

" "Kathleen Norris is one of my favorite writers but she definitely not for everyone. Very spiritual, reflective, thought-provoking. Acedia is the malaise before depression and she expounds on the effect across society and individuals. How to manage sameness over a long life or relationship.." "

" This book spoke to me in a way that only a few books have. If you of those people unfortunate to suffer from Acedia, this book will be a huge encouragment. It helps define a very vague affliction. "

" I'm reading this on the Kindle. Finding it a very elucidating study of something I never knew about before. Most of it resonates deeply within me but at the same time I find the author's perspective a little odd at times. "

" Very useful; it seems like I need to read this one annually. "

" I have been reading this book for the past months. Definitely not a page-turner but insightful and interesting. I like Kathleen Norris and learned a lot about her and her faith. "

" Thoroughly researched and nuanced treatment of depression and its relationship to spirituality, informed by the author's experience "

" I didn't finish it because it was taking me too long to read. But the part that I did read was pretty interesting. "

" Kathleen Norris is a religious scholar and a writer. She inispires spirituality and backs up her thoughts with appropriate quotations from the Bible and other spiritual writers. Good reading for spiritual seekers and folks looking for peace. "

" A thoughtful discussion of one of the seven deadly sins, by an author who has an acquaintance with it. Slow going at first, but it got more interesting as Norris told her own story of her husband's long decline. "

" Norris' blend of faith, scholarship, and perspective as a writing is fascinating. "

" Kathleen Norris books are like an artesian well in the desert. "

" Kathleen Norris is a religious scholar and a writer. She inispires spirituality and backs up her thoughts with appropriate quotations from the Bible and other spiritual writers. Good reading for spiritual seekers and folks looking for peace. "

" a relief and a joy. more of this book is underlined than not underlined, in my copy. "

" Well worth the time...you may find out a few things about yourself "

" I think I've been suffering from acedia for most of my life. Norris brings the piercing wisdom of the monastics into her own life in a way that made it accessible to my own. I'm grateful and indebted to her. "

" Who knew a concept from desert monks of the fourth century could be so relevent! The content touched home. The writing style included too many references to philosophers, monks, and mystics for my taste. Most interesting were her musings on acedia and the writer's life. "

" I ended up liking Cloister walk so much more. This book wasn't really what I was looking for now. "

" Mostly wonderful with moments of very bad theology. Anyone who has been weary with life ought to read this. "