Awaiting God

A New Translation of Attente De Dieu and Lettre a Un Religieux

By: Simone Weil

Narrated by: Rosemary Benson

Awaiting God combines a fresh translation of Simone Weil's Waiting for God and Letter to a Priest Attente de Dieu and Lettre un Religieux in one volume.

These works are considered Weil's primary essays and letters. In addition, Simone Weil's niece has contributed an introductory article entitled, 'Simone Weil and the Rabbi's: Compassion and Tsedekah,' which puts Weil's relationship with Jewish thought into perspective. She includes source material from the Rabbis that put Weil (however reluctantly) in line with rabbinical thought throughout her major themes. The book is the ideal English introduction to the works and thought of Simone Weil, including important preface material (by Jersak) on how to read her work, as well as her relationship to Roman Catholicism and Judaism.

©2013 Original French version: Public domain. English translation: Brad Jersak. Introduction: Sylvie Weil (who has granted written permission) (P)2014 Brad Jersak / Sylvie Weil (with permission)

an amazing first encounter with weil

i absolutely loved this work. weil is a thinker who demands your attention and consideration. i could not stop listening. i would recommend this book to anybody who thirsts for authentic faith that isn’t tethered to the harsh dogmatism of the church.

life changing

I'll have to go through this book a few more times but if you're interested in philosophy or religions this is required reading

You Speak Weil - And Do Not Know So

If you could sum up Awaiting God in three words, what would they be?

Kenotic, Mystical, Feminine

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sylvie Weil's defense of Judaism is filled with the voice of the Talmud. She goes after her Aunt Simone with all vigor. The Introduction is nothing but an apologetic on behalf of Judaism, and it works. Part of Simone Weil's attraction is her complicated religious journey: European Jew, near Catholic, and Mystic.

What about Rosemary Benson’s performance did you like?

Benson's voice is very listenable for me. It is believable, and perhaps more feminine than Weil's own voice deserves. But it is clear and firm without the sufferable cadence often found in readers of philosophy who must meter their reading in order to get through the material.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Brad Jerzak's translator leaf reveals a personal encounter with Weil. "She must be read, not talked about." Agreed.

Any additional comments?

I had to buy the book. There is too much gold here. Weil's work influenced Vatican II, is read by Popes and hipster neo-evangelicals alike. Contrary to all the uber-speak of the 19th century, Weil answers with a post-modern voice of self-sacrifice and determination that challenges the dogma of the 20th century and all that went wrong with positivistic idealism. Her voice is the sane voice, the voice from below - and hardly anyone can live up to it. If you need an accessible Christian mystic, then Weil is your good read. Now if only Christians and secularist alike would do as she says.

ERRORS IN NARRATION

Completely flipping the message on its head, the narrator says the word "nothing" when the book says the word "everything!" (time: 1:33:30)... Huge error! Unbelievable error!

Was the narrator playing 4D chess and trying to point out the paradoxical nature of judgment statements? Were they aiming to enlighten young minds by pointing out the equivalence behind apparently opposite points of view? Simultaneous oneness and difference and all that jazz? Or was it just negligence?

I don't know. Great book though and overall the narration is very good apart from that error and a couple of tiny others that I have encountered so far

A brilliant writer, philosopher and theologian.

Simone's work caused me to think about my own ideology and theology. This book could be an excellent addition to the EfM program in Sewanee, TN.

Nope, not for me.

What was it my grand mother used to say? Claptrap. The ramblings and gibberish of the functionally insane. I didn't care for the narrator's voice either.