GROWTH IN THE SPIRIT

by Francois Roustang ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 18, 1966

There are many superb books -- particularly books on spirituality -- in European languages which should never be translated into English. Growth in the Spirit, unfortunately, is one of those works; undeniably, it deserves a worldwide audience, for it is one of the best introductions to an understanding of the spiritual life that has appeared in this century, combining (as the publisher says, and as it does in fact) ""the insights of contemporary psychologists with the unchanging verities of the great spiritual masters."" The author's style and presentation are, however, so bound up with the rhythm and intricacies of the Gallic mind and language that the book deserves --indeed, demands -- far more than a mere translation: it must be completely re-written in English. This English version is colorless, lifeless, graceless, humanity-less, and, as the final blow, it abounds in sentences that are neither French nor English. The enormous intrinsic worth of the book obliges one to recommend it, on the not indisputable premise than even an inept translation is better than no translation at all; but the reader should be warned that he will be obliged to exercise patience in a truly heroic measure.

Pub Date: May 18, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Sheed & Ward

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1966

Categories: NONFICTION