A Life in Letters

by Simone Weil (Author), Robert Chenavier (Editor), André A. Devaux (Editor), Nicholas Elliott (Translator)

A Life in Letters presents the first complete English collection of philosopher and mystic Simone Weil’s correspondence with her family, offering an intimate portrait of one of the twentieth century’s most distinctive thinkers. Spanning her life from childhood onward, these letters reveal her intellectual curiosity, unconventional ideals, and evolving interests in philosophy, politics, poetry, mathematics, and Christian mysticism. Through her correspondence with her parents and brother, readers follow Weil’s journey from academic life to solidarity with workers and involvement in the struggle against fascism. Enhanced by historical context and insightful notes, this collection illuminates the development of Weil’s ideas and provides a compelling introduction to her life, thought, and enduring legacy.

Paperback, 384 pages