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malpa222's review against another edition
TL;DR: This book almost turned me Christian so I had to drop it; not yet, this is not the right moment. Overall, really good reading, I recommend this book to anyone undergoing an existentional crisis.
Have you ever felt God? Have you ever thought that there must be some force behind everything but you are not sure what it is? Have you ever thought to yourself: "I know that I can believe.. I'm just not sure if this is the right moment"? Augustine had the same thoughts throughout his life filled with pleasure and the feeling of being lost. He was always looking for God, yet at the same time he was straying away from him.
He wrote this book later in life, as a man of faith, philosopher and theologist (however these two are interwoven in his works). Looking back at all of his previous mistakes, he tells you about his life of seeking the truth, something to lean on. He needed faith, to give him guidance in life that was filled with wordly pleasures. Maybe this is why I relate to the book so much. I had to drop reading it, because I know that I am not able to understand faith just yet. Faith is a commitment, and thats the mystery and the most beautiful thing about it. Don't read it, thinking this is some Christian propaganda; while he was Christian, the theme of faith can be looked at from much bigger perspective. Augustine realized that faith is commitment, which was a defining moment of his life; "Confessions" is a story about that.
Have you ever felt God? Have you ever thought that there must be some force behind everything but you are not sure what it is? Have you ever thought to yourself: "I know that I can believe.. I'm just not sure if this is the right moment"? Augustine had the same thoughts throughout his life filled with pleasure and the feeling of being lost. He was always looking for God, yet at the same time he was straying away from him.
He wrote this book later in life, as a man of faith, philosopher and theologist (however these two are interwoven in his works). Looking back at all of his previous mistakes, he tells you about his life of seeking the truth, something to lean on. He needed faith, to give him guidance in life that was filled with wordly pleasures. Maybe this is why I relate to the book so much. I had to drop reading it, because I know that I am not able to understand faith just yet. Faith is a commitment, and thats the mystery and the most beautiful thing about it. Don't read it, thinking this is some Christian propaganda; while he was Christian, the theme of faith can be looked at from much bigger perspective. Augustine realized that faith is commitment, which was a defining moment of his life; "Confessions" is a story about that.
sarahdeeney's review against another edition
5.0
In love with him as if I know him, as if we grew up on the same street - "friendship" if it were a book, basically
joseduque1996's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
lauracohran's review against another edition
4.0
Started in 2020 and just now finished...some parts were compelling, while some dragged. Glad I've read it, and will re-visit certain parts.
macliffe's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
St. Augustine is officially my favorite saint and church father. He is so honest and human in these confessions but also so eloquent and thoughtful. I annotated almost every page because every page held a gem of wisdom. The autobiography part was certainly more enjoyable and the last three books were difficult at times, but even reading these I was always amazed at the depths his mind plumbed to and the insights he could offer.
On a side note, St. Monica was forbidden from drinking WATER as a child to hopefully curb her from becoming an alcoholic later?? I’m sorry but I’m pretty sure that’s child abuse.
On a side note, St. Monica was forbidden from drinking WATER as a child to hopefully curb her from becoming an alcoholic later?? I’m sorry but I’m pretty sure that’s child abuse.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief
elisabeth7291's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not going to lie- this is not an easy read. Take a look at my start-finish dates and you can see. I ended up reading it slowly a few pages at a time as part of my morning QT. Some parts were mind numbingly redundant and/or esoteric. Others were arrestingly intimate and transcendent of time and place. For those who want a taste but maybe don't want to endure the whole read, read just Book 13 & skim some of the first couple of books.
octophile's review against another edition
5.0
The Confessions is made up of two parts - the first is an autobiography, told from Augustine's theological standpoint, and the second consists of his theological musings.
Augustine's autobiography is really terrific. He does a great job of breaking down his life in order to recollect important points in his spiritual growth. His writing may seem overly self-righteous and penitent at first, but it doesn't take you long to realize his honesty in examining his motives, and his love and high-regard for many of the people in his life. It was a remarkably interesting and easy read.
However, it took me forever to get through the last part for a couple of reasons. First of all, he gets pretty abstract, which is not helped much by the archaic style of the translation. Second of all, I read this on my Kindle, which made it a bit harder for me to take breaks and then remember what he was talking about. (Once you get lost, you will stay lost.) The parts I did understand completely, though, were really interesting. If I read it again, I'd have to go very slowly and take notes.
Augustine's autobiography is really terrific. He does a great job of breaking down his life in order to recollect important points in his spiritual growth. His writing may seem overly self-righteous and penitent at first, but it doesn't take you long to realize his honesty in examining his motives, and his love and high-regard for many of the people in his life. It was a remarkably interesting and easy read.
However, it took me forever to get through the last part for a couple of reasons. First of all, he gets pretty abstract, which is not helped much by the archaic style of the translation. Second of all, I read this on my Kindle, which made it a bit harder for me to take breaks and then remember what he was talking about. (Once you get lost, you will stay lost.) The parts I did understand completely, though, were really interesting. If I read it again, I'd have to go very slowly and take notes.
katie2378's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.25