Not the words of St. Teresa of Avila

The translator took enormous liberties and removed all Catholicity from St. Teresa of Avila, whom is one of the doctors of the Church. Mirabai Starr watered down St. Teresa’s personal story, and removed words like “sin,” to not offend readers who are not Catholic. Don’t believe me? Ms. Starr says so in the foreword. St. Teresa of Avila was a bold woman, and true and faithful believer of Christ. She was not one to mince words when it came to the repentance of sins, and following Christ Jesus. Thus, I believe it’s an injustice to modify the testimony of her faith to accommodate the delicate sensibilities of present day readers, in order to make her “more appealing.”

21 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Basically an abriged version of the original

Seriously the translation is awful. It's quite obvious that the translator is making a concerted effort to sanitize Teresa of Avila's more challenging facets. Most egregiously, the translator often chooses the translate the word "pecado" which means "sin" into the phrase "missing the mark" which certainly sounds less scary than "sin."

This isn't the only problem, she also chooses in many instances to straight up drop Teresa of Avila's remarks of self-deprecation, which in the original text illustrate her penitent spirit and dependence on grace. Along the same lines, the translator will at times editorialize and cut back on the original version's praises for Christ, whom Teresa spoke to as a husband and addressed with deep devotion.

I am lucky that I speak and read Spanish and can easily go to the original Spanish. I tried this version because I wanted an audiobook I could listen in the car and figured an English version would be better produced than a Spanish version, but the above mentioned problems were so frequent and egregious I just resolved to reading the book in its original spanish instead of listening to this terrible translation.

Avoid if you want to get to know the real Teresa of Avila. It's fine if you want to get a general idea of who she was but be aware this is a kind of hippie, sanitized version of the true text.

18 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

In her own words....

A must listen and a must read. The narrator does a wonderful job. She reads as if St. Teresa of Avila is sitting and conversing with you.

8 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Translation uses "inclusive language"

I wish I had heard the comments of the translator before buying this book. She clearly states she took liberties with the translation in referring to God, Spirit, Satan, etc. She admits freely to using "inclusive language" to not exclude readers. Sorry, Mirabai, Saint Teresa would not agree with your inclusive language. As she is a great doctor of the Church, your creative liberties detracted from- not added to- her work. This is greatly offensive and disrespectful.

6 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

A true inspiration

I am not catholic and this is one of my favorite books to listen to. I’m going back and listen again. It’s so full of lessons to ponder it can be read/listed to many times. Get it. You won’t be sorry.

6 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

An excellent book read by an excellent narrator!

About this book:
I found this book a great blessing in my spiritual path that the Lord is leading me. This reassures the little experiences that I had and more that i would expect on the way. It throws great light on how holy and dedicated people were and are for God. It show how gracious and merciful He is to Love and lead us if we give him the opportunity.

Narrator:
I would quickly touch upon the performance of the narrator. She had done an excellent job in narrating as if we hear from the author itself with all the expressions. It was very pleasant to hear through the whole book without any pain. I would love to find another autobiography (maybe other books as well) read by the author and listen to it.

6 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Great performance

So this book is a very Catholic book who will almost exclusively be read by a Catholic audience though the translater who isn’t Catholic translates the word sin on several occasions as “missing the mark” or“transgression”. Also translates Devil many times as Spirit of evil.. why she does this? I do not know if it’s for personal reasons or if she’s trying to tone down the book for a more secularized audience. At least she’s Honest and states she is doing so and I would retranslate it in my head when listening.

That being said the narrator is amazing and really brings Teresa to life and I felt as if St Teresa were speaking to me herself in a conversation. For that reason alone is why I picked this version among the few offered here on Audible. Great book I thoroughly enjoyed it

4 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Profound

Profound description of situations in her life, specially joys and obstacles of the foundation of the discalced Carmelite order. Deep sharing of emotions, doubts and reassurances of faith as well as interactions with Our Lord in moments of rapture.
Teresa’s life is a great companion and a soul mate in tribulations of faith.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Truth Be Told

Lovely Writing By a Beautiful Saint! Amazing Words For That Time Period as a woman.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Deep story and exceptional performance

I have listened to this story on several occasions when I need a boost to my spiritual life. It is written and importantly narrated in a very conversational style as if Teresa were relating her story to you in person. Gabrielle Made really did seem like Teresa herself. The fluency, appropriate pauses, natural intonation made the performance exceptional. Probably the best I have heard thus far in this genre.

The autobiography sounds both contemporary yet ancient. Certain observations could have been spoken today. Yet other affectations such as excessive self effacing humility seem insincere and excessive to this modern listener. Yet, such was the rhetorical style of the day.

I have not yet read the text from which this audiobook was created but the narration piqued my interest to explore the text which I shall soon do.

Well worth a listen if spiritual autobiographies interest you. If not to apply to your own spiritual journey then to join another from a very different culture of time and place.