My God and My All: The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by Elizabeth Goudge was
originally published in 1959 under Saint Francis of Assisi. I had read one other
book on this popular saint sometime ago, however, what was different about
Goudge's book is the beautiful writing style which vividly brings Francis and
his age to life.Goudge who was a popular novel writer who died at the age of 84 in 1984, did a wonderful job writing this biography of Francis who was born in the 1180s. Using her skills as a novelist she used the many stories and sources available about St. Francis to create this excellent moving biography of one of the Catholic Churches most favorite sain
At first, I wondered whether Goudge was going to strip away all the supernatural from Francis' story, ignoring the miracles and healings that are attached to him, like so many of the writers about saints do today. However, the author does include miracles and healings attributed to him.
Although she writes this biography like a novelist, Goudge never "invents" anything using poetic license. Whenever she speculates, she lets us know. She weaves Francis' life into the early Medieval history of Italy and Europe with ease.
My God and My All is a modern masterpiece that is beautifully written about an extraordinary holy man who revitalized the Church twelve hundred years into it's existence.
Anyone can read this well crafted book. Elizabeth Goudge was an Anglican, her father being an Anglican priest. All Christians should relish this wonderful book, but, unfortunately they won't. As a Catholic I found this book to be very refreshing, informative and beautifully written.
(I received a copy of this book for an honest review from Handlebar.)
