Simone Weil stood outside of every church in order to lead others to religious faith.

An excellent collection of Weil's work with broad coverage of her life's work. Included are sections focusing on spirituality, politics, language & thought, and the nature of wisdom and meditation. The notes, bibliography, and index add to the value of this fine volume. ( )

I did not finish this book but am marking it read and to re-read. This is the kind of book to read in short bursts, as it contains such depth of thought. I found myself putting it down, time and time again, trying to figure out Weil's point in any given essay. It's almost a meditative kind of read.

My favorite essay in this collection was Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies . Weil has such wonderful insights into the human mind and how it works. Somehow she was able to articulate these thoughts in new, refreshing ways.

At times though, when reading her writings, I wondered about her mental health. She made certain statements that were a bit extreme, such as envying the crucifixion - wishing she could suffer as much.. (?) I will need to look a little further into this..

Still, Simone Weil has made a lasting impression on me as a unique thinker, a humble visionary. I will definitely be picking this book up and re-reading it. ( )