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The SPCK Introduction to Simone Weil

Reviewed by Luke Penkett.

Simone Weil, one of the most influential twentieth-century French philosophers, left many of her writings on politics and theology (amongst other subjects) in note form. Stephen Plant, then, is to be warmly thanked and congratulated on producing such an attractive, clear and well-ordered introduction to her life and thought. The book will be useful for general readers and students alike. His own writing is richly enhanced by many quotations from Weil’s output.

Plant, who is Senior Tutor and Director of Wesley House in the Cambridge Theological Federation, and an affiliated lecturer in the University of Cambridge, notes that his own understanding of Weil has developed over the years and the present book is a revised and expanded version of the one he wrote in 1996 in the Great Christian Thinkers series, edited by Peter Vardy and published by Fount.

In addition to a preface, date chart and introduction, there are five chapters on Weil’s life and her relationship with God. The chapter on discerning God’s presence in a world full of pain will be found particularly helpful. The book ends with a guide to further reading in English and an index.