Dorothy Day: A Radical Devotion

Robert Coles' biography explores the life of Dorothy Day through a series of conversations and observations spanning multiple years. The work draws from Coles' personal interactions with Day during her later years, as well as extensive research into her background as an activist, journalist, and Catholic convert. The narrative traces Day's evolution from a young radical journalist to the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Coles examines her commitment to social justice, pacifism, and voluntary poverty while documenting the growth of the Catholic Worker houses of hospitality across America. The book integrates Day's own writings and recorded conversations with accounts from those who knew her. Coles presents her struggles with faith, politics, and the challenges of maintaining a religious movement during turbulent times in American history. Through Day's story, Coles creates a portrait of spiritual devotion intersecting with radical social action, raising questions about the relationship between religious faith and political engagement. The work stands as both a biographical study and an examination of twentieth-century American Catholic social thought.

Readers appreciate Coles' personal interviews with Dorothy Day and his firsthand observations from spending time with her at the Catholic Worker. Many note his ability to capture Day's personality, daily life, and spiritual journey through detailed conversations and scenes. Reviewers highlight that the book focuses more on Day's religious devotion and character than on her social activism or politics. Several mention this provides a different perspective from other Day biographies. Common criticisms include: - Too much psychoanalysis of Day's motivations - Lack of historical context and background details - Writing style can be repetitive - Some wanted more coverage of Catholic Worker movement Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) "Coles lets Day speak for herself through extensive quotes rather than imposing his own interpretations," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "The psychological approach reveals Day's inner conflicts but sometimes feels like overanalysis."

The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day An autobiography that delves into the Catholic Worker movement founder's journey through social activism, faith, and radical service to the poor.

Simone Weil: An Anthology by Sian Miles This collection presents the writings of a philosopher who, like Day, merged spiritual devotion with political action and care for society's marginalized.

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton A monk's memoir chronicles his transformation from secular intellectual to contemplative spiritual figure committed to social justice.

Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words by Peace Pilgrim The story of a woman who walked across America for peace combines spiritual commitment with practical activism for social change.

The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Paul Elie This work weaves together the stories of four American Catholic writers who pursued radical spiritual paths while engaging with social issues.

🌟 Author Robert Coles spent over 20 years having conversations with Dorothy Day, meeting regularly at the Catholic Worker house in New York City before writing this intimate biographical portrait. 🌟 Dorothy Day transformed from a bohemian journalist who ran in the same circles as Eugene O'Neill to a Catholic convert who founded a movement combining radical social activism with deep religious devotion. 🌟 Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist and Pulitzer Prize winner, has written over 80 books and is a professor emeritus at Harvard University where he taught for over 40 years. 🌟 The book reveals that Dorothy Day continued to struggle with the Catholic Church's positions on many issues while remaining devoutly faithful - she called herself an "orthodox radical." 🌟 Day's cause for canonization as a saint in the Catholic Church was initiated in 2000, despite her famous quote, "Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed that easily."