A modern-day Confessions of Saint Augustine, The Seven Storey Mountain is one of the most influential religious works of the twentieth century. Thi...
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Jan 22, 2010
MattA
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Merton is a gifted writer, and his descriptions of growing up in Europe are interesting. Much less interesting are his spiritual/religious judgments of others. These judgments seem to break down along the following lines:
If you're a bad person, and are not Catholic, the reason you're bad is because you're not Catholic.
If you're a bad person, and are Catholic, the reason you're bad is because you're not Catholic enough.
If you're a good person, and are not Catholic, the r More...
If you're a bad person, and are not Catholic, the reason you're bad is because you're not Catholic.
If you're a bad person, and are Catholic, the reason you're bad is because you're not Catholic enough.
If you're a good person, and are not Catholic, the r More...
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Jan 06, 2008
Janet
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(from notes in my journal, Nov. 9, 2007)
Why did I wait so long to read Thomas Merton? I've known so many fans of his work and had so many opportunities to get to know him. In my mid-twenties I lived for a few years in Lexington, Kentucky, just about an hour from Gethsemani, the Trappist monastery where Merton spent the second half of his life. I had a lover who made regular pilgrimages and once brought me seeds from Merton's garden, carefully folded inside a dollar bill. But I never More...
Why did I wait so long to read Thomas Merton? I've known so many fans of his work and had so many opportunities to get to know him. In my mid-twenties I lived for a few years in Lexington, Kentucky, just about an hour from Gethsemani, the Trappist monastery where Merton spent the second half of his life. I had a lover who made regular pilgrimages and once brought me seeds from Merton's garden, carefully folded inside a dollar bill. But I never More...
Mar 05, 2008
Suzanne
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I had always been curious about the Trappists which led me to this book. What would or could drive someone into silence and isolation? To some degree Merton explains his voyage from atheist to scholar to the disciplined harsh world of monastic life. Many criticized him for just trying to avoid serving in World War II, but I don't believe that fear motivated him. I've always believed that the World at that time, became very ugly and his retreat and commitment to a lifetime of prayer was his a
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Oct 27, 2008
Tim
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First of all, no I didn’t spell “storey” wrong…that’s how it’s spelled on the book’s cover. This is Merton’s spritual autobiography, and it’s an intimidating book at first in its size, but I had no trouble being gripped by Merton’s writing style and his personal journey. In the end, he feels led into a Trappist monastery, from where he writes this book. While I loved his story of his journey of faith (I think anyone struggling with faith questions would), I have always been baffled by the decisi
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Apr 26, 2010
Wanda
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The first part of this book was painfully slow at times, yet interesting. Then in the second part, after Merton was baptized.... WHOOOOSHH!!! off we went! And I was spellbound til the end. Its impossible to summarize this book, and there are many reviews out there for everyone to peruse. So I'll simply quote a few of my favorite passages in the book.
As a newly baptized Catholic, I found this passage incredibly beautiful and accurate:
"I had come, like the Jews More...
As a newly baptized Catholic, I found this passage incredibly beautiful and accurate:
"I had come, like the Jews More...
Feb 18, 2008
Stephanie
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I finally read Thomas Merton’s Seven Story Mountain. Mostly out of obligation because if you tell anyone you’ve read Merton they ask if you’ve read Seven Story Mountain.
First, one neat story. Merton was at Cambridge, studying sociology, economics, history (196). On Merton’s first day of school, he accidentally seated himself in a class on the works of Shakespeare. So he got up, then sat back down, stayed. Later that day he went to the registrar and officially added the course More...
First, one neat story. Merton was at Cambridge, studying sociology, economics, history (196). On Merton’s first day of school, he accidentally seated himself in a class on the works of Shakespeare. So he got up, then sat back down, stayed. Later that day he went to the registrar and officially added the course More...
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Aug 09, 2011
A remarkable if flawed book. I was drawn to Thomas Merton by the recommendation of an internet forum participant I respect and the intriguingly open-minded picture of a Catholic priest who dallied with Buddhism. The Seven Storey Mountain - in effect, an autobiography that covers the period from his childhood to shortly after his entering the Kentucky monastery in 1941 - was written fairly early and that shows in a certain insistence on the inherent superiority of everything Catholic, which took
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Apr 20, 2010
Joyce
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Thomas Merton was one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century. In his own time, he became a legend; since his death, there have sprung up various foundations and centers devoted to promulgating his ideas. His many books are widely read.[return][return]However, as in all things, there is a beginning. The Seven Storey Mountain, formally an autobiography until his 33rd year, was published in 1948; it s multi- [return]layered book. As William Shannon points out in the exc
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Dec 15, 2008
Keegan
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I've been plowing through this in my spare moments the past two weeks or so. I can see how my father and grandfather were affected by it.
If I had a different experience of Catholicism as a child, this book might have functioned as some sort of catalyst for rejoining the church. Fortunately my experiences were uneventful; tepid, even. I didn't leave Catholicism out of some reactionary experience. It was gradual. God was ground to dust throughout this decade in the millstone of my More...
If I had a different experience of Catholicism as a child, this book might have functioned as some sort of catalyst for rejoining the church. Fortunately my experiences were uneventful; tepid, even. I didn't leave Catholicism out of some reactionary experience. It was gradual. God was ground to dust throughout this decade in the millstone of my More...
Jan 24, 2012
Jerome
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Memoir. Memoir. Memoir.
A wonderful walk with the monastic Merton firsthand from his beginnings to beginnings of being a monk. Growing up in New York (and Europe), staying in New York, attending college in New York, entering the Monastery.
It's the little insights, here and there, that make Merton so enjoyable. The way he describes the scenery of France. His optimism at the beginning of a new school year, September, in New York. Quite a look into Catholicism as he sees and expe More...
A wonderful walk with the monastic Merton firsthand from his beginnings to beginnings of being a monk. Growing up in New York (and Europe), staying in New York, attending college in New York, entering the Monastery.
It's the little insights, here and there, that make Merton so enjoyable. The way he describes the scenery of France. His optimism at the beginning of a new school year, September, in New York. Quite a look into Catholicism as he sees and expe More...
Dec 16, 2011
Leroy
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Even though this book is one of the "25 Books Every Christian Should Read," according to the new book edited by Julia L. Roller, I was, to be frank, a bit disappointed with it. Perhaps my expectations were too high.
Earlier this year I read Daniel Berrigan's autobiography, "To Dwell in Peace" (1988), and I found it to be not only more engagingly written but more inspiring as well.
One main difference, of course, is the age of the two men when they wrote: Be More...
Earlier this year I read Daniel Berrigan's autobiography, "To Dwell in Peace" (1988), and I found it to be not only more engagingly written but more inspiring as well.
One main difference, of course, is the age of the two men when they wrote: Be More...
Apr 10, 2011
Paul
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This edition of the book intimidated me at first, because neither of the prefaces exactly warmed me to the subject matter. The second, in particular, by some unctuous "we're so much more enlightened than this since Vatican II" type, really made me wonder if I would find anything in Merton that made any sense to me.
Fortunately I did. I started the book in the hotel and read probably the last four-fifths of it on the way back from Vienna to Chicago. I've never read any spiri More...
Fortunately I did. I started the book in the hotel and read probably the last four-fifths of it on the way back from Vienna to Chicago. I've never read any spiri More...
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Aug 09, 2010
Christina
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I loved reading about how a man of the world and the arts converted his life solely over to the service and worship of God, foregoing the exciting experiences the world has to offer and, instead, taking and keeping vows of silence and poverty. The irony in that is that he became a prolific writer whose written "voice" spoke more loudly than his vocal voice ever could have. And in his material poverty, he became rich beyond measure in his contemplative communion with God and His created
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Feb 10, 2010
Ruth
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I picked this up b/c I love autobiography and Merton has a reputation as a good writer and storyteller. The thing I liked most about this book was getting to see his internal journey towards the person he feels like he is meant to be (a Trappist monk), and the way this path keeps calling to him his whole life even though he has all these moments of doubt that he's actually good enough or strong enough to be that person. It was really sweet. I also liked the way he tries to justify why a life
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Mar 23, 2009
April
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An autobiography of Thomas Merton, Catholic priest turned Trappist monk.
In this memoir, Merton traces his spiritual journey with frank and revealing honesty that allows you to relate to the man while still admiring the 'old soul' within. Even though Merton is obviously a very learned and wise man, he never presents himself as anything greater or more important than just a man, a man like any other human being on this planet.
Merton eventually came to view humanity's idea More...
In this memoir, Merton traces his spiritual journey with frank and revealing honesty that allows you to relate to the man while still admiring the 'old soul' within. Even though Merton is obviously a very learned and wise man, he never presents himself as anything greater or more important than just a man, a man like any other human being on this planet.
Merton eventually came to view humanity's idea More...
Mar 01, 2009
Robin Wright
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A dense, powerful book. Merton's autobiography of his spiritual path, which ultimately took him to becoming a Catholic monk. It's an interesting final destination for a former atheist and former Communist.
Since his path becomes a Christian one, there is a lot in this book about Christian faith, humility, human arrogance, sin, and particularly, the grace of God. It may be a challenge for non-Christians to read this but I do recommend it anyway. He learns some powerful lessons from More...
Since his path becomes a Christian one, there is a lot in this book about Christian faith, humility, human arrogance, sin, and particularly, the grace of God. It may be a challenge for non-Christians to read this but I do recommend it anyway. He learns some powerful lessons from More...
Jan 08, 2010
Ryan
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Merton relates in this book, in his own words, his journey to find God's will for his life. Starting with his birth in France all the way until he takes his solemn vows as a Trappist monk, Merton relates every detail. At times these details can be overwhelming and tedious, but by the end you see that Merton's point is that God's plan works through all the twists and turns of life. As he goest through these events he will make several spiritual points showing the way of giving all to God. When Me
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Feb 21, 2010
Charlotte K.
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Fascinating autobiography about a man's search for faith and peace, the story of his conversion to Catholicism and vocation to become a Trappist monk. Favorite quotes:
"Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the More...
"Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the More...
Jun 18, 2009
Jeffrey
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The Seven Storey Mountain is an absorbing story about a young man in search of clarity who turns to a life of religious contemplation. I'm not religious, and I don't have a whole lot of context to bring to this book, but the blurb in my edition about it being a modern sort of St Augustine's Confessions is pretty much about right. Bearing witness to his process of conversion is aesthetically quite beautiful but as much as I wanted to relate on another level (understanding? intuiting?) I found n
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Mar 08, 2009
CaterinaAnna
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Although I can't say I'll be rushing to read more Merton, this biographical book was very interesting. The journey of an aptly named Thomas to his home in the monastery is a powerful description of a vocation, not as something fulfilled but as something active and becoming. It is erudite, with plenty of Latin phrases and quotations, dropping of names of philosphers and Doctors of the Church as if everyone knew them and their works, and references to a pre-Vatican II liturgy and hierarchy; but so
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Jun 19, 2011
Chris
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I really enjoyed this book...It was beautifully written, by an obviously brilliant man. Merton possessed an excellent insight into the human condition, and was right in seeking refuge in God through Jesus. He was right to desire more of God. He was right to seek the peace that only comes through Christ...
This being said, I don't think Merton arrived at all the right conclusions in his faith. Many times it seemed he was simply following his emotions and feelings...this isn't always a More...
This being said, I don't think Merton arrived at all the right conclusions in his faith. Many times it seemed he was simply following his emotions and feelings...this isn't always a More...
Jul 16, 2011
Jared
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A wonderful read, an interesting life story, and a fascinating glimpse into the life of a monk. I live in Louisville Kentucky which is within 20 miles of Bardstown where Thomas Merton spent his days as a monk. The Catholics in this city have been heavily influenced by him, and now I see why. The Seven Storey Mountain, is interesting, idealistic, obviously written by a brilliant mind. I sometimes think he is a little over the top in his idealism, which could be annoying at times but otherwise
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Oct 19, 2009
Jason
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Merton's quest for personal happiness leads him from a life of booze and women to a Trappist monastery. I read this book with an open mind, hoping that some of Merton's findings would translate into my own life. He abandons his secular life in favor of godly devotion, but along the way he trades analytical analysis for superstition, and logic for blind faith. He routinely blames saints and devils for mundane events in his life, and interprets the outcome of any situation to be a sign from God
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Jul 15, 2011
Leigh
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It is hard to read this book without feeling like you are taking the journey with Merton himself. Though Merton, in looking back on this book, lamented that it was his most famous work, it remains as such. And for a reason. It is, in some ways, a modern Confessions, though time will test that assertion. Many of the views are incredibly rigorist, but part of what is appreciated about that is the honesty. Merton paints a brutally honest picture of the world he saw around him, and it is a standpoin
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Sep 02, 2011
Laura
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I'm of two minds about this book. The first half, which described his early life, was pretty tedious. A lot of comparisons have been made to the Confessions of St. Augustine (which I love), but Merton was never explicit about what his sins actually were. I know that sounds voyeuristic, but without more description, I was confused as to why he was flagellating himself so. Reading the preface, and learning that he had fathered an illegitimate child, helped somewhat to put things in context.
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Aug 02, 2009
kmg
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This book came highly recommended but I can't recommend it in turn. Maybe if you skip forward to page 225 or so, when he's baptized and starts dithering about whether to enter a monastery. As someone who's never been at all interested in any sort of life of institutionalized contemplation, that part's pretty interesting. The first half of the book, though, is much too much like talking to an angsty teenager who insists on telling you about how "weird" and "crazy" he is whe
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May 30, 2009
Matthew
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Hugely disappointing. There were two main things about this book that turned me off:
First, I am irritated by the way that he seems to treat esoteric Catholic doctrines as clear and obvious, thus needing no explanation. For example, he presents Marian intercession as a universal principle that should be self-evident to any person capable of reason, despite the fact that (so far as I can tell) it has very little basis in Scripture and is not even a particularly important part of schol More...
First, I am irritated by the way that he seems to treat esoteric Catholic doctrines as clear and obvious, thus needing no explanation. For example, he presents Marian intercession as a universal principle that should be self-evident to any person capable of reason, despite the fact that (so far as I can tell) it has very little basis in Scripture and is not even a particularly important part of schol More...
Jan 10, 2009
Mr. Mike
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This is Cistercian monk Thomas Merton's autobiography that describes his journey from atheism/agnosticism to the Trappist monastery near Bardstown, KY where silence is golden. Fr. Louis (as he was known at the abbey) provides us with a detailed look at the people, books and inner struggles that cleared the way for him to convert to Catholicism and become a monk/priest.
I always said I would never read this book. When I was young and dumb I even made fun of the way Merton died just to More...
I always said I would never read this book. When I was young and dumb I even made fun of the way Merton died just to More...
Mar 06, 2009
Kathleen
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I decided to reread this spiritual autobiography as a lenten activity and it certainly give one much to muse over. It is definitely dated -because it is pre Vatican II there is much that us post Vatican II Catholics might find hard to grasp. It still is an inspiring story of a man's struggle to discover what is really important in his life and while the style might seem a little overblown to those of us used to modern self help books it is what lets this memoir qualify as literature. Merton is a
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Dec 09, 2008
Frank
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This was the book that shot Thomas Merton into the lime light, a Trappist Monk in Kentucky. He went on to become very famous for his thoughts and ideas in a large selection of works. This is his autobigrophy which is touted as "one of the greatest spiritual classics of our time." It is a story of a long rough way from a worldly life to one of living in a monastery. But it most of all shows the work of a great writer. No matter what your religious beliefs this is a must read for anyone
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