Acedia & me

A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life

By: Kathleen Norris

Narrated by: Kathleen Norris

The extraordinary New York Times bestselling masterpiece from "one of the most eloquent yet earthbound spiritual writers of our time" (San Francisco Chronicle).

Kathleen Norris had written several much loved books, yet she couldn't drag herself out of bed in the morning, couldn't summon the energy for her daily tasks. Even as she struggled, Norris recognized her familiar battle with acedia, a word she had discovered in early Church text years earlier. Fascinated by this "noonday demon", so familiar to those in the early and medieval Church, Norris knew she must restore this forgotten but important concept to the modern world's vernacular. An examination of acedia in the light of psychology, spirituality, the healing powers of religious practice, and Norris's own experience, Acedia & Me is both intimate and historically sweeping, brimming with exasperation and reverence, sometimes funny, often provocative, and always insightful.

New eyes to see distinctions I've missed

Any one of 100's of new ways to see how I have seen without seeing. Only one: depression can't see any possibilities; acedia sees and doesn't care that they exist.

Persistence and the Challenge of Despair

Norris shares the story of her marriage and loss of her husband and the challenge of maintaining a spiritual life through sadness. A very vulnerable book, she offers hope for the ups and downs of life.

Acedia and All the Rest of Us

Would you consider the audio edition of Acedia & Me to be better than the print version?

I have both. I don't think one can compare audio to print. They serve different purposes. Both are great in this case.

What did you like best about this story?

Norris' assessment and application of acedia's influence within our affluent American culture is spot on.

What about Kathleen Norris’s performance did you like?

She is bit academic. But it is honest and I always like the author to read. The story is personal enough that is right to have her read it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The chapter "Acedia's Progress" is so sharp. Norris' application of acedia as the malady of our milieu is not shallow but solid and convincing. I was so impressed. I put it to journal attempting to make it as close as possible.

Any additional comments?

I believe this work is far more than a personal story. It is so throughly researched and cohesive that it more like a doctoral class at a seminary, taught by both the expert and the practitioner. I am have only briefly ran across the term "acedia" in my readings of early desert hermits, so I am no expert on the subject. But after hearing Norris I feel I understand the concept very well.

wholistically enriching

this is exactly what I needed to listen to at this juncture of life. norris's voice as a poet is gentle and powerful.

The Demon of Our Times

Grateful for Kathleen Norris' insight into the relationship between acedia and the spiriual crisis of despair and control that is present in our world. I'm especially grateful to be able to listen to the author reading this for us.