Letters to a Doubter

by Paul Claudel, Henry Longan Stuart (Translator)

On February 14, 1907, Jacques Rivière wrote to his compatriot, the acclaimed author and poet Paul Claudel, with this ardently single-hearted “Put an end to my doubts!” Just twenty years of age at the time, Rivière stood on the cusp of what would prove to be a career of great success and profound influence—but his approach to that career was dogged by disquiet and a desperate search after an answer to the greatest of all questions. Namely, how does a man find God, especially if he has lost his way once already? Letters to a Doubter presents the seven years’ worth of correspondence between Claudel and Rivière, with Claudel distinguishing himself as both a dedicated apologist and an affectionate spiritual father as he responds to the wide array of intellectual, cultural, psychological, and practical barriers to Rivière’s ultimate acceptance of Christ and His Church as his one and true patria . Breathing the bracing air of the Gospels, Claudel’s Letters to a Doubter is an inspiring testament to the usefulness of human friendship and affection in the order of divine providence, “that they all may be one.”

Genres: Catholic

220 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

About the author

Paul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholic faith.

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of correspondence between Paul Claudel and Jacques Riviere is a fascinating example of friendship built on the eternal verities and the struggle to understand and believe. Jacques was a very intelligent young man who was a skeptic, an agnostic who wanted to believe but struggled mightily. Paul Claudel was a famous writer at the time this correspondence began, and something in that writing attracted Jacques and made him want to believe. It was interesting to see the arguments, the apologies, the outbursts, and the love and consideration that shines through these letters.