Hermits; The Insights of Solitude

by Peter France

Traces the history of hermits, from the Greek Cynics, to the Desert Fathers, to more modern seekers of solitude, including Thoreau, Thomas Merton, and American poet Robert Lax

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, Religion, Biography, Spirituality, Sociology

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Peter France lectured in the Departnent of French at the University of Edinburgh.

Reviews

[James Chin]

". . . and it soon became clear that one of the ironies of the human situation is that those who have chosen to live outside society have always been eagerly sought out for advice on how to live within it."

[Monty Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and wide ranging introduction which is by no means confined to the Christian tradition, although it is my guess that the traditions of the Christian desert fathers are the ones which hold the most interest for the author (as indeed they do for me). Of course, many hermits were undoubtedly mad, and you don't have to share Gibbon's hugely unfair rubbishing of the eremitic tradition to realise that. This book celebrates the rediscovery of the good bits of that tradition, whilst noting that some of the less attractive bits have been glossed over. Eccentricity can easily spill over into egocentric madness. I decided I don't care for Thomas Merton at all: I agree with his psychiatrist that his real desire was to live in a hermitage with a big neon sign over it proclaiming "Hermit Lives Here". There is something about Merton which I find deeply unattractive. Maybe it's just the mystery of human sympathy that we are all so different in who or what we like and dislike. But Charles de Foucauld, on the other hand, was the real deal. If he was mad too, it was in a good way: the way that makes us question the sanity of so much of our dopamine-driven, unhealthy, rat-on-a-treadmill patterns of addictive acquisitiveness.

[Elisa Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history book, not a spiritual guide and focuses mainly on Chrisitan/Western eremeticism. I am currently reading about the Russian Startsy, a little different as it's East Orthodox. Eventually the book moves toward India and the Sahara. The author's theme concentrates on the hermit as sage, enduring long periods of solitude and emerging with valuable insights for the society around him or her (the portrayal here is overwhelmingly male, though one woman has been represented thus far).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"People who can't stand being alone make the worst company."

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book by way of Goodreads. One of the best books for 2017 as voted here was Michael Finkel's The Stranger In The Woods, about a hermit who lived in the Maine woods for 28 years. How he survived those winters is still a marvel to me.

Finkel recommended France's book about solitude. It's more of a history of solitude as told by the hermits along the way -- such as Thoreau and Thomas Merton.

A scholarly work, well-researched and written. I would recommend only if you have an interest in the subject, perhaps by way of reading Walden.

[Nan-sea]

hermits are cool

[Jakob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating subject but a somewhat lackluster execution. Seems like the author was much more invested in some of these people - merton, the desert fathers, robert lax - than others. Also, almost nothing from india or china, where hermits have been a big aprt of the religious tradition for millennia.

Greatly enjoyed some parts. The chapter on Merton and Thoureau were my favorites. I wish there was more on the wisdom and psychology of the desert fathers. We mostly get their advice to others, and some apocryphal anecdotes.

But it reassured me that there is strength, beauty, and truth in solitude.

"Without solitude of some sort there is and can be no maturity. Unless one becomes empty and alone, he cannot give himself to love because he does not possess the deep self which is the only gift worth of love. And this deep self is not a 'something' which I acquire, or to which I 'attain' after a long struggle. It is not mine and cannot become mine. It is no thing - no object. It is 'I'."

[Felix Baird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first half of the book much more than the latter half. The way the concept and tales of hermit life were presented was fascinating, and I was quite enthralled by the beginning sections of the book. But, unfortunately, the magic slowly started to drain away as I reached the later chapters for some reason, where I almost felt bad for the hermit at the end of the book, Robert Lax, as I admittedly couldn't muster up as much attention to his story as the others - sorry, Robert!

A solid effort, and glad I read it, but I probably will never read it again. That being said, it has made me more curious about other hermits' lives and their philosophies around the world, so it has delivered in that regard.

[Dxcore35 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapter are inconsistent in writing style, length, main ideas presented. They are also not in chronological order. The smallest chapter was about Hinduism, which makes me laught, since India is origin of Hermit style of lifestyle... The fact that Buddhist and Taoist hermits are completely ignored force me to say that author made extremely poor research. I don't recommend it to anybody who thinks about such a lifestyle or is on spiritual path. The informations present here are incomplete and bent by author poorly research topic and by picking not adequate sample of hermits and their lifestyle with inconsistent writing style across the chapters.

[Private · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not really what i expected from what was promised from the book... It's basically a philosophy book that gives u a little taste of different philosophers that also happened to take part in solitude

[Carson May · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone is yelling, which makes it hard to hear the quiet ones. this book gives a voice to the quietest, who have many wonderful things to say.

[eLwYcKe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a tiring, uninspiring read. Which is a shame as it's a subject I'm fascinated by.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are certain insights and mental adjustments that come to me only when out on a hike or an extended backpacking or canoeing trip. Shutting out the noise of modern life, if only for a few days reaps great benefits..like popping a new battery in the system. Ever since I built and camped in hand built shelter as a child, the idea of living "Thoreau-like" has been a compelling if unrealized idea better lived vicariously. There are some who have taken it to a whole new level and the author explores a few of them. The author delves into this with chapters focused on both the ancient and relatively contemporary. This book could have been more than it is and is a bit of a let down if you are looking for more comprehensive treatment.

[Arminion · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book but I wish that the author's focus wasn't so much on the lives of Western hermits. He covers only one Eastern hermit which is weird, considering the rich history of hermits in the East. It is also well known for regular people to visit hermits for advice and wisdom. But the author never answers the question: why are these hermits so wise? Are they wise because they spent so much time contemplating and meditating in solitude or is this wisdom something ingrained in them from the birth?
Basically, I wish there was more talk about psychological effects on the minds of these hermits but I understand why this wasn't covered.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entire island in Greece of hermits? Isn't that somehow missing the point? Thomas Merton dies in a crappy way similar to Dr. Atkins slipping on ice on the sidewalk which led to his death? Take this thought provoking book to your favorite cave and ponder. Gain enlightenment and join the rest of society again.

[Eunsung · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading about the life of charles de foucauld, thomas merton, and espeically about robert lax was a joy. the section on robert lax was especially amazing, because little is written about him. his poetry, journals and writings are in obscurity in the U.S.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed my mind about my desires for solitude. I've done a week long solitary retreat, and I'm not sure if I could have imagined it without reading this book.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discerning survey of the solitary life.

[John Hornyak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another book that leaves me with new questions...a great read for those who are really interested in the historical approach to monasticism and solitide. Insightful and intriguing...