Product Description

Most lives of the saints are written backward, beginning with the saint’s achieved holiness. This lively story begins at the beginning, with Francis as a very human and, therefore, flawed man, a hopeless romantic who is slowly and painfully drawn by grace toward a destiny he does not desire.

More than simply picturing the patron saint of poverty, peace, ecology and animals, this book depicts Francis as a holy model for becoming fully oneself as a unique individual. From the age of fourteen until his death, this passionate man is forced to wrestle with his opposing personalities. On the one hand he is an ascetic influenced by the negative theology of his day. On the other hand he is a poet, troubadour, and joyful lover of life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123627 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 635 pages

From Booklist
This fervent fictional biography of St. Francis of Assisi paints a full-bodied portrait of a man struggling to resolve the essentially paralyzing conflict between his ascetic spirituality and his vital humanity. Although the story of Francis, the privileged son of a wealthy merchant who renounced all his worldly possessions in favor of a life of poverty, is a familiar one, Hays takes it to a new and invigorating level, introducing a compelling cast of supporting characters who influence Francis along his often torturous and conflicted path to holiness. No plaster saint, Francis emerges as a more earthy and robust version of the retiring hermit of religious folklore and legend. Splendid historical fiction replete with authentic medieval detailing. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

A moving, creative, and vividly original account
In The Passionate Troubadour, author Edward Hays (a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, since 1958) wonderfully presents the story of Francis of Assisi as a work of fiction that pays meticulous observance to the details of European medieval history. It tells of a young man searching for his purpose in life, who encounters a mystical voice that charges him with a seemingly meaningless task. He embarks upon the life-changing decision of casting aside his wealth and finery of the merchant class and taking up the rags of a beggar. His long journey will culminate in his transformation into a passionate troubador for Christ. A moving, creative, and vividly original account.

Not only for Catholics
As the story of the book has already been previewed,I'd like to write about some other aspects .Saint Francis is the most "popular" saint of all, so as a non believer, or at least doubtful person I bumped in to Him througout life countless times.So I picked up this book,and was surprised by how I felt after finishing it:it is so elevating and insightful! It is full of love towards all creatures regardless of their religion,or where they came from,and it makes You want to be a better person.It's long ,638 pages,but well worth it,nicely written,philosophycal,well researched and has nice artwork.

Great Read
Through this novel, Francis of Assisi comes out of the birdbath and into the reality of the human struggle. Through the pages of this novel we become intimately familiar with his real-life doubts to find what direction his life should take. We see his burning desire to please his father, a man who has no understanding of who is son really is. We see him pulled in so many ways at the same time that, for a time, confusion is his main state of mind. As he grows older and responds to God's call, we still see him struggle as any human being does with the reality of his life. And through it all, we see Francis embracing life as few individuals have. The fictionalized version of this beloved saint reveals him much like he must have been. It is worth the investment in time and gives us all hope that we, too, may find joy in life's struggles.