Story of a Soul

[Woodsy]

I am looking at Amazon in order to purchase a copy of Story of a Soul and found an odd review at this link.
The review reads:

St. Therese of Lisieux's memoir, "Story of a Soul," has set the world on fire. For more than fifty years after Therese's death, the only edition available had been heavily edited by Therese's sister Pauline, Mother Agnes of Jesus, who made about five thousand changes in the manuscript. Michael Day's translation is made from this edited manuscript.

Happily, about 1956 the "Manuscrits authentiques," Therese's original manuscripts, were released to the world, and in 1976 Fr. John Clarke, O.C.D. translated them in the book "Story of a Soul: the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux," published by the Institute of Carmelite Studies. This is universally acknowledged as the only authentic and authoritative English translation. Mother Agnes's version remains of interest to scholars who wish to compare the two manuscripts, or to study the version which gave rise to the original cult of St. Therese.

Does anyone know what this guy is on about? Is he correct?

 

[Woodsy]

Is this something to be concerned about when shopping for a copy?

 

[QuantaCura]

Hmmm. I had never heard that. I read the version that the reviewer recommends.

 

[Carrye]

Does anyone know what this guy is on about? Is he correct?

I believe that he is correct - at least at first, superficial glance. There are many translations of Story of a Soul, but most are based upon the work that was edited by Therese's sister. Those editings serve to portray, as I understand, a very different picture than the original. I do not have a copy of Story of a Soul, but when I buy one, I would like a translation of the original.

 

[QuantaCura]

I believe that he is correct - at least at first, superficial glance. There are many translations of Story of a Soul, but most are based upon the work that was edited by Therese's sister. Those editings serve to portray, as I understand, a very different picture than the original. I do not have a copy of Story of a Soul, but when I buy one, I would like a translation of the original.

Do you know how the picture portrayed is different?

 

[Carrye]

Do you know how the picture portrayed is different?

Again, I'm just communicating what I've been told because I do not have first-hand knowledge, but ... I'm told that the picture portrayed by her sister's edits is much prettier, more stereotypically saintly if that phrase has any meaning. I believe that the original has more of Therese's spunk. It shows her to be more of a character.

I also believe that text is much longer w/o the edits. I am personally of the mind (generally) that it is best to read the primary source if it is available. Ideally it would be best to read it in the original language too, but I am not a student of French.

 

[Amylisa]

I will have to check which version I have.
This book really affected my life in a wonderful way. It is part of what God used to bring into the Catholic Church.
Therese is my Confirmation Saint.

 

[QuantaCura]

Again, I'm just communicating what I've been told because I do not have first-hand knowledge, but ... I'm told that the picture portrayed by her sister's edits is much prettier, more stereotypically saintly if that phrase has any meaning. I believe that the original has more of Therese's spunk. It shows her to be more of a character.

Haha, I read the un-edited version and I thought in that she came across as super-saintly --I don't thing I could imagine her being more stereotypically saintly

 

[Irenaeus]

Haha, I read the un-edited version and I thought in that she came across as super-saintly --I don't thing I could imagine her being more stereotypically saintly

People shouldn't censor and edit saints like censoring pornography or profanity, as if even their human faults, or "spunkiness", is embarrasing.

Let them shine in all their organic, human fulness! God truly perfects their nature with grace. It's an inspiration to people like you and I. Saints aren't dead marble statues: they are living stones built into the Church of God with Christ as the cornerstone.

Every time I read St. Therese's Autobiography, my heart is set on fire. I always put down the book tremendously edified!

 

[Amylisa]

Amen!

 

[Atomagenesis]

Yes, I would only get the ICS translation, or read the French.

 

[redMountian]

The reason I heard that Pauline edited the first edition was because Therese wasn't an experienced writer, Therese agreed to let Pauline do her that for her. As far as I know, the Pauline edited version is a bit smoother read and probably slightly more like traditional hagiography than Therese's original writing.

My friend and a soon-to-be fellow seminarian are hoping to create another French-English translation of the SoaS, so he's a wealth of information right now.

 

[Amylisa]

What does ICS mean?

 

[Irenaeus]

The ICS is the Institute of Carmelite Studies. They put out some great critical editions of Carmelite authors. I especially like their study edition of St. Teresa of Avila's "Way of Perfection."

You can google them online and order from them.