* Update: 06/23/12
I came back and re-read/finished this book. It was better than I remembered it. I think last time I decided that because of the masochistic philosophy, inspired by medieval theological thought, present in this book made it not worth reading. However, I had some free audio-book-listening time and gave it another go. This time around I'd say that I can recommend it a little; there's some beautiful, inspiring thoughts about God and the meaning of life. Still, I would say that there are other books out there that are better, such as Augustine's Confessions.

* I gave this book three stars only because I'm assuming the Modern-English translation I have is poorly executed. Even still, the book was a little too masochistic for my tastes. There were parts and thoughts that were beautiful, and observations on humanity and faith that were enlightening. However, the book frequently advocates violence towards earthly material--including your own flesh--then condones this life as miserable and calls it saintly to relish sorrow and misery. I think it's incorrect and supercilious in that regard: God created all things--including our bodies--and for that we can be grateful, not miserable.

I listened to it for a little while longer simply out of interest, because it does give a good portrait of the mindset of those Catholic monasteries, particularly of the 15th century (in which it was written).