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Simone Weil Audiobook
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(3.09) - 79 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"At a very brief 230 pages, this book serves best as an introduction to Weil's life and work. It was an enjoyable non-academic book which tends towards a psychological reading of her works. Readers looking for in depth analyses of her writings should look elsewhere. "
— Ben (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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One of the 2001 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
Simone Weil Listener Reviews
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" This is one of the books that has urged me to read more about other authors. When you read Francine's books, you cannot finish them without using a dictionary, but I always marvel her writing as somebody who is eager to learn. "
— Nox, 9/22/2013 -
" Simone Weil is one of the most unbelievable people I have ever read about, and this is a very fine short biography of her. One of the few historical figures that I'd probably never want to actually meet... "
— Patrick, 5/29/2013 -
" Bio is competent enough; Gray doesn't strain to make Weil likeable, though I was really hoping to like her, and her ideas, and her courage, more. "
— Fred, 3/5/2011 -
" At a very brief 230 pages, this book serves best as an introduction to Weil's life and work. It was an enjoyable non-academic book which tends towards a psychological reading of her works. Readers looking for in depth analyses of her writings should look elsewhere. "
— Ben, 1/28/2011 -
" very good biography. Weil was beautifully obsessive but you have to read her to get the depth of her obsession. "
— sunspot, 1/1/2011 -
" This is one of the books that has urged me to read more about other authors. When you read Francine's books, you cannot finish them without using a dictionary, but I always marvel her writing as somebody who is eager to learn. "
— Nox, 8/19/2010 -
" Bio is competent enough; Gray doesn't strain to make Weil likeable, though I was really hoping to like her, and her ideas, and her courage, more. "
— Fred, 1/1/2009 -
" Simone Weil is one of the most unbelievable people I have ever read about, and this is a very fine short biography of her. One of the few historical figures that I'd probably never want to actually meet... "
— Patrick, 7/21/2007
About Francine du Plessix Gray
Francine du Plessix Gray is a regular contributor to the New Yorker and is the author of numerous books, including Simone Weil, At Home with the Marquis de Sade, Rage and Fire, Lovers and Tyrants, and Soviet Women. She lives in Connecticut.
About the Narrators
Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.