steveatwaywords's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Far be it for me to engage Saint Augustine on his writing prowess. Instead, I can discuss a bit about the reader experience of encountering this text, one that I have spent much of my life maneuvering about via summaries and commentary; it was great to finally meet the text itself.
First, I recommend reading this work with a guide or contextual assistance. While it is tough going without time and concentration, the reading itself (at least in my Chadwick translation) was not overly difficult. What made the work richer for me was understanding Christian thought at the time, what Augustine's circumstances were (both personally and globally), and to what debates might he be responding to. This helped me better understand why he focused on the details he did and why he argued in ways that (to today's readers) seem sometimes illogical or obtuse. I listened to Doug Metzger's two lengthy episodes on the work on his Literature and History podcast, which I recommend. (literatureandhistory.com)
The reading itself was what many write of: the first portion of memoir where he writes of his teachers, teen exploits, and family. This was very approachable and interesting--Augustine shows a vulnerability and candor which might surprise. The second portion, however, is more a philosophical reverie on time, creation, memory, and the role of the church. He points out that the entirety of the first section (his life) is meant as an example for readers to consider in order to better appreciate this more important philosophizing. True, he makes interesting arguments against Manicheanism and NeoPlatonism, but once again, I would never have appreciated these points without some guidance on their roles in the 4th century.
In the end, Augustine produces some of the most influential arguments and theological thinking of all Christian history. While the Confessions is lengthy for what it does (part of his style of frequent praise and repetition), it is more than worthy of our time as we attempt to answer questions of faith and religious history.
First, I recommend reading this work with a guide or contextual assistance. While it is tough going without time and concentration, the reading itself (at least in my Chadwick translation) was not overly difficult. What made the work richer for me was understanding Christian thought at the time, what Augustine's circumstances were (both personally and globally), and to what debates might he be responding to. This helped me better understand why he focused on the details he did and why he argued in ways that (to today's readers) seem sometimes illogical or obtuse. I listened to Doug Metzger's two lengthy episodes on the work on his Literature and History podcast, which I recommend. (literatureandhistory.com)
The reading itself was what many write of: the first portion of memoir where he writes of his teachers, teen exploits, and family. This was very approachable and interesting--Augustine shows a vulnerability and candor which might surprise. The second portion, however, is more a philosophical reverie on time, creation, memory, and the role of the church. He points out that the entirety of the first section (his life) is meant as an example for readers to consider in order to better appreciate this more important philosophizing. True, he makes interesting arguments against Manicheanism and NeoPlatonism, but once again, I would never have appreciated these points without some guidance on their roles in the 4th century.
In the end, Augustine produces some of the most influential arguments and theological thinking of all Christian history. While the Confessions is lengthy for what it does (part of his style of frequent praise and repetition), it is more than worthy of our time as we attempt to answer questions of faith and religious history.
stan2long's review against another edition
3.0
(354 - 430) translated by Albert C. OUTLER (1908 - 1989). Saint AUGUSTINE points out that (1) all men want to be happy. and (2) no man wants to be deceived. meaning all want the truth.
lancastergainesville's review against another edition
It was some of the worst Christian kissassery I have ever seen. Made me want to puke, literally.
kiriamarin's review against another edition
O famoso Augustine of Hippo aparece muito na literatura feminista comtemporanea como um dos precursores da misoginia no cerne da Igreja Catolica e que sustenta o patriarcado ocidental,bem deixei isso de lado para ler esta obra e a encontrei uma autobiografia bem empática,simples de uma pessoa que tem embates honestos entre fé e pecado, corpo e espirito,sobre a existencia humana e o conhecimento,enfim a busca do divino . De fato um doidivana cristao do qual o egocentrismo em suas verdades influenciaram geracoes alimentadas por suas doutrinas conservadoras (depois de muitos pecados rs). ëmbora seja uma obra de base filosofica e religiosa,é de facil leitura,meu interesse na obra naturalmente foi pelo aspecto sociologico,sobre os detalhes do seu cotidiano familiar e academico, que não é muito rico mas interessante.
Voltando ao tema de Augustino ser um misogino,nào dá pra refutar muito esta impressao jà que nesta autobiografia ele cita duas mulheres importantes na sua vida: sua mãe "a santa" e uma anonima "a pecadora" que partiu seu coracao rs ... Admito que fiquei sedenta por conhecer mais desta anonima o que é infelizmente impossivel.
"O fruto das minhas Confissões é ver, não o que fui, mas o que sou.''
Voltando ao tema de Augustino ser um misogino,nào dá pra refutar muito esta impressao jà que nesta autobiografia ele cita duas mulheres importantes na sua vida: sua mãe "a santa" e uma anonima "a pecadora" que partiu seu coracao rs ... Admito que fiquei sedenta por conhecer mais desta anonima o que é infelizmente impossivel.
"O fruto das minhas Confissões é ver, não o que fui, mas o que sou.''
emmanuelbg's review against another edition
2.0
I was unpleasantly surprised by this book. One often hears wonders about it, and Saint Agustine is treated as a key figure in Church history. Sadly, instead of being the great work on theology I thought it would be, the Confessions was, in my opinion, repetitive and very distasteful in some parts. I'll briefly elaborate.
One of the recurring themes on the book was the rejection of wordly affairs, fixing sight instead upon God. One might be tempted to agree with him, but Agustine goes on to describe how the "deceit of the eyes" damages us, and how we should also reject "beautiful figures". This is a step too extreme for me. A rejection of aesthetics is, on my view, debatable even on metaphysical grounds (why would God want us to run away from the Beauty of his Creation?).
I wanted to like this, I really did. But I couldn't help to constantly notice the obsession with treating everything of this world as it were a demonic plot to distract us from God. I simply tend to disagree.
One of the recurring themes on the book was the rejection of wordly affairs, fixing sight instead upon God. One might be tempted to agree with him, but Agustine goes on to describe how the "deceit of the eyes" damages us, and how we should also reject "beautiful figures". This is a step too extreme for me. A rejection of aesthetics is, on my view, debatable even on metaphysical grounds (why would God want us to run away from the Beauty of his Creation?).
I wanted to like this, I really did. But I couldn't help to constantly notice the obsession with treating everything of this world as it were a demonic plot to distract us from God. I simply tend to disagree.
kecb12's review against another edition
4.0
I have been reading this book since June, so I was pretty ready to be done with it. My friend Sandy and I get together to discuss books, and this was our choice for the last six months. There were huge chunks of this book that were BRILLIANT, and I found myself really thinking about my faith and Augustine's view of God. Augustine has some clear insights into the struggles that every Christian goes through as they are just living everyday life. While I don't know that I would read the entire book again anytime soon, Chapter 10 is one that I will re-read many times in the years to come. I'm glad I made it through this book. I was supposed to read it in college, but I know that the majority of it would have been lost on me.
davehershey's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this book back in college (nine years ago) and though I liked it, I did not appreciate it as greatly as I did after reading it a second time. The story of Augustine's life and conversion is an encouraging; I especially admire Augustine's mother, Monica. I believe this book could be a beneficial read for any Christian (though many will wonder what the point of the last 1/3 in which Augustine discusses memory, time, creation and such is).
rooireland7884's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing way to start a Torrey Semester! Loved how personal the text is and yet so reliant on God, His Word, and the Truth.
muhly22's review
5.0
I have read The Confessions before, at least in part. I know that it was assigned as a part of a college Humanities course that was required, and I remember reading at least selections from it. Another translation (I don't know if it's the translation I read then) is on my list of read books, with a one-star rating. I'm going to leave that, and include this translation with its present rating.
I don't know if it was the translation by F.J. Sheed, or if it was the point in my life, or a combination, but as I was reading this book, it had a major impact on me. Unfortunately, I lack Augustine's comfort in publicly confessing my sins, but I will go so far as to confess that I've done some things I'm very much not proud of. Seeing that a man as holy and wonderful as Augustine also struggled with sin in a very intense way, and that he converted (around the same time in his life as I currently am) and felt God's forgiveness in a very personal way, is helpful in multiple ways: giving comfort that God will forgive me, too; giving comfort that I can overcome my sins; and giving comfort that my sins, past or present, do not prevent me from being holy - so long as I seek God's forgiveness and strive to overcome them.
I mentioned the translation earlier. I searched online for a recommendation, and this is the one that was most widely acknowledged as the best for us. The footnotes were often helpful for explanatory purposes, and the translation flowed in a way that many do not. According to the Introduction, Augustine would have written the book with the intent that it be read aloud. Sheed's translation made reading it aloud (something I often do in private - I like to hear the way words sound) a true pleasure. While I'm certainly not qualified to comment on the accuracy, the general nature of various articles I read about different translations didn't seem to raise that question.
Whether a person is Catholic or not, or even Christian, they should be able to recognize Augustine's great intellect. Parts of this book are monuments to that - his discussion of Time, for instance. Even if you disagree with Catholicism and the veneration of Saints, it should be clear from Augustine's life that he was a very holy man, and a true model of faith. I hope that his Confessions will bring comfort to everybody who reads it.
I don't know if it was the translation by F.J. Sheed, or if it was the point in my life, or a combination, but as I was reading this book, it had a major impact on me. Unfortunately, I lack Augustine's comfort in publicly confessing my sins, but I will go so far as to confess that I've done some things I'm very much not proud of. Seeing that a man as holy and wonderful as Augustine also struggled with sin in a very intense way, and that he converted (around the same time in his life as I currently am) and felt God's forgiveness in a very personal way, is helpful in multiple ways: giving comfort that God will forgive me, too; giving comfort that I can overcome my sins; and giving comfort that my sins, past or present, do not prevent me from being holy - so long as I seek God's forgiveness and strive to overcome them.
I mentioned the translation earlier. I searched online for a recommendation, and this is the one that was most widely acknowledged as the best for us. The footnotes were often helpful for explanatory purposes, and the translation flowed in a way that many do not. According to the Introduction, Augustine would have written the book with the intent that it be read aloud. Sheed's translation made reading it aloud (something I often do in private - I like to hear the way words sound) a true pleasure. While I'm certainly not qualified to comment on the accuracy, the general nature of various articles I read about different translations didn't seem to raise that question.
Whether a person is Catholic or not, or even Christian, they should be able to recognize Augustine's great intellect. Parts of this book are monuments to that - his discussion of Time, for instance. Even if you disagree with Catholicism and the veneration of Saints, it should be clear from Augustine's life that he was a very holy man, and a true model of faith. I hope that his Confessions will bring comfort to everybody who reads it.