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Salvation : Scenes from the Life of St Francis
Inspired by the fresco cycles that depict the life of St. Francis of Assisi, acclaimed author Valerie Martin tells the life of Francesco di Pietro Bernardone in a series of vividly realized "panels" of moments both crucial and ordinary. Drawing from myriad sources and moving in reverse chronological order, she begins in the dark, final days, with a suffering Francesco on the verge of death, then shows us the unwashed and innocent revolutionary, unafraid to lecture a pope on Christ's message. We see his mystical friendship with Chiara di Offreducci, a nobleman's daughter who turns her back on the world to join him, and finally, the frivolous young Francesco on the deserted road where his encounter with a leper leads him to an ecstatic embrace of God. Salvation is at once an illuminating glimpse into the medieval world and an original and intimate portrait of the man whose legend has resonated through the centuries."
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"From theTrade Paperback edition."
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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88 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Martin
63 books256 followersValerie Martin is the author of nine novels, including Trespass, Mary Reilly, Italian Fever, and Property, three collections of short fiction, and a biography of St. Francis of Assisi, titled Salvation. She has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as the Kafka Prize (for Mary Reilly) and Britain’s Orange Prize (for Property). Martin’s last novel, The Confessions of Edward Day was a New York Times notable book for 2009.
A new novel The Ghost of the Mary Celeste is due from Nan Talese/Random House in January 2014, and a middle-grade book Anton and Cecil, Cats at Sea, co-written with Valerie’s niece Lisa Martin, will be out from Algonquin in October of 2013.
Valerie Martin has taught in writing programs at Mt. Holyoke College, Univ. of Massachusetts, and Sarah Lawrence College, among others. She resides in Dutchess County, New York and is currently Professor of English at Mt. Holyoke College.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 26, 2017
As a Catholic child of the 70s, I saw the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon and around the same time also read a book about St. Francis of Assisi. He has to be one of the most popular saints, even beloved by those not necessarily Catholic; but he's also one of the most sentimentalized and I'm sure the historically inaccurate Zeffirelli film would seem corny to me now.
I remember an unremembered book read in childhood as being gritty in its details, and this unusual book falls into the same realistic category; birds do not fly to Francesco's fingers, for instance. The documented stigmata are depicted, though Martin admits in the introduction she is not a believer of miracles. Her stated lifelong interest in hagiography led her to the earliest of source materials and her extensive research is outlined in the notes section. In only one scene does she put a real person where there is no record of his being, though he could've been: I'm guessing she felt her find, as a remarkable image of the time period, was too good not to use.
Her 'scenes', written in empathetic prose worthy of the fiction writer she is, are told in a backward chronology mostly and are divided thematically. Her seeking out frescoes of San Francesco while she lived in Italy influenced these vignettes and, as if in a nod to visual art, a detailed description of horrific Holbein-like illustrations being viewed by the amused young Francesco leads off a late chapter.
Though I wondered at times why she chose this 'backward' format, I had a feeling I'd be rewarded at the end. My expectation was fulfilled: the last chapter is a visionary triumph.
I remember an unremembered book read in childhood as being gritty in its details, and this unusual book falls into the same realistic category; birds do not fly to Francesco's fingers, for instance. The documented stigmata are depicted, though Martin admits in the introduction she is not a believer of miracles. Her stated lifelong interest in hagiography led her to the earliest of source materials and her extensive research is outlined in the notes section. In only one scene does she put a real person where there is no record of his being, though he could've been: I'm guessing she felt her find, as a remarkable image of the time period, was too good not to use.
Her 'scenes', written in empathetic prose worthy of the fiction writer she is, are told in a backward chronology mostly and are divided thematically. Her seeking out frescoes of San Francesco while she lived in Italy influenced these vignettes and, as if in a nod to visual art, a detailed description of horrific Holbein-like illustrations being viewed by the amused young Francesco leads off a late chapter.
Though I wondered at times why she chose this 'backward' format, I had a feeling I'd be rewarded at the end. My expectation was fulfilled: the last chapter is a visionary triumph.
October 4, 2020
On the Feast Day of St Francis, I’m reminded I read this lovely book when it was first published in 2001. The story is told in reverse, beginning with the death of Francis, the same way artists portrayed the saint’s life in Italian fresco cycles. Beautifully written, gentle pacing, fascinating view into early 13th century life.
May 11, 2021
This fictionalized account of St. Francis' life was inspired by various paintings including famous frescoes and based on a range of impressive source material. It wasn't my typical spiritual reading but it connected me in new ways to one of my favorite saints. It was well written, often moving and thought-provoking.
July 21, 2021
between okay and i liked it..some reflections were inspiring and moving but lost much of my respect in the treatment of st. clare as somehow not being a woman in relationship primarily to God and a support and partner with francis as a woman swooning for love of him..fearing not seeing him more than the fires of hell? not the clare i know.
January 16, 2022
This book presents Francis' life in reverse chronological order. It begins in the days when he was near death, then procceds to the rebel whospoke Christ's truth to the pope. The book shows the charismatic Francis bringing followers to his order and finally rthe young wayward Francis who drops material possessions for God after an encounter with a leper. A decent read about the animal saint.
September 16, 2020
Nicely nuanced sketches from the life of Saint Francis.
December 31, 2014
it is very likely that the most popular of all Catholic Saints is St. Francis of Assissi. As the apostle of peace and the patron of ecology he is, of course very popular currently. The fact that the latest Pope has chosen the name Francis, specifically after Francis of Assissi, rather than any other Francis (e.g., Xavier, de Sales, and more than 80 others) of course renews interest in this great saint.
This book is very well written and researched, and recounts events in the life of Francis in the form of a novel many of the events of the life of Francis. One of the most interesting facts about this book, however, is the authorship itself. In the Introduction, Ms. Martin recounts, "Apart from the interest his history arouses in me, I do not have a special connection to San Francesco. I am not a believer in miracles; rather, I hold that the laws of nature apply even to those who know nothing about them. I am not a scholar of his period, not an Italian -- nor can I read Italian or Latin with ease -- not a Roman Catholic or particularly religious; I am not even a man." p.13.
It says a great deal about the compelling spirit of St. Francis, and the nature of his life that so many are compelled to write and read of him. Notwithstanding the many professed differences which the author has with the perspective of St. Francis, she produced a creditable work on his life, which is easily accessible to the reader, and holds interest and focus.
Most of the best known stories regarding Francis are mentioned, only as they need to be, but Ms. Martin also does an excellent job in giving insight into his personality and feelings. She does so, as she herself warned in the introduction, not from the perspective of one blinded by the fame and glamour now attached to St. Francis, nor his aura of holiness enhanced by the miracles which have been attributed to him, but rather from the view of a historian. The portrait of St. Francis does not suffer and is not diminished by such perspective and treatment. Rather it is enhanced.
This book proves that all are edified by a study of the lives of the saints, and not merely Catholics.
This book is very well written and researched, and recounts events in the life of Francis in the form of a novel many of the events of the life of Francis. One of the most interesting facts about this book, however, is the authorship itself. In the Introduction, Ms. Martin recounts, "Apart from the interest his history arouses in me, I do not have a special connection to San Francesco. I am not a believer in miracles; rather, I hold that the laws of nature apply even to those who know nothing about them. I am not a scholar of his period, not an Italian -- nor can I read Italian or Latin with ease -- not a Roman Catholic or particularly religious; I am not even a man." p.13.
It says a great deal about the compelling spirit of St. Francis, and the nature of his life that so many are compelled to write and read of him. Notwithstanding the many professed differences which the author has with the perspective of St. Francis, she produced a creditable work on his life, which is easily accessible to the reader, and holds interest and focus.
Most of the best known stories regarding Francis are mentioned, only as they need to be, but Ms. Martin also does an excellent job in giving insight into his personality and feelings. She does so, as she herself warned in the introduction, not from the perspective of one blinded by the fame and glamour now attached to St. Francis, nor his aura of holiness enhanced by the miracles which have been attributed to him, but rather from the view of a historian. The portrait of St. Francis does not suffer and is not diminished by such perspective and treatment. Rather it is enhanced.
This book proves that all are edified by a study of the lives of the saints, and not merely Catholics.
January 15, 2011
This is a book I read once before, when I received it as a Christmas gift in 2001. I was trying to decide what to read next a few weeks ago, and saw it on the shelf, and decided to read it again. I'm glad that I did.
I have been a fan of St. Francis of Assisi since I was a little girl, particularly since he is the patron saint of animals, and I love animals. Of course I read and heard the various stories about him, and as I got older I realized that like anyone else, there were more layers to him than the schoolroom stories.
This book tells his story in a series of vignettes, as opposed to being a narrative biography. Francis is a multilayered person, devoted to God and dedicated to helping others and leading them to heavenly salvation. He preaches simplicity, kindness, and patience with oneself and others around them. Valerie Martin takes someone who - in modern day - could be thought of as some kind of religious fanatic whacko, and instead shows us an individual who decides to live his life in a way that is opposite to the lifestyle he lived as a child, and becomes truly happy with his choice.
The book is not religious per se, but a knowledge of medieval history can help the reader place things into context. I liked the fact that I could put it down and pick it back up without having to remember the "plot" - an advantage to this type of storytelling. The St. Francis of this book is not the one I "knew" in my childhood, but rather a more adult version who is still interesting. One thing that hasn't changed is my wonderment/puzzlement at the lives of the early saints, lives that are not just alien to me in their locales, but in their devotion to God. I like to think of myself as a spiritual person, but I am also lazy and one who enjoys creature comforts. I don't think I'm saint material!
I have been a fan of St. Francis of Assisi since I was a little girl, particularly since he is the patron saint of animals, and I love animals. Of course I read and heard the various stories about him, and as I got older I realized that like anyone else, there were more layers to him than the schoolroom stories.
This book tells his story in a series of vignettes, as opposed to being a narrative biography. Francis is a multilayered person, devoted to God and dedicated to helping others and leading them to heavenly salvation. He preaches simplicity, kindness, and patience with oneself and others around them. Valerie Martin takes someone who - in modern day - could be thought of as some kind of religious fanatic whacko, and instead shows us an individual who decides to live his life in a way that is opposite to the lifestyle he lived as a child, and becomes truly happy with his choice.
The book is not religious per se, but a knowledge of medieval history can help the reader place things into context. I liked the fact that I could put it down and pick it back up without having to remember the "plot" - an advantage to this type of storytelling. The St. Francis of this book is not the one I "knew" in my childhood, but rather a more adult version who is still interesting. One thing that hasn't changed is my wonderment/puzzlement at the lives of the early saints, lives that are not just alien to me in their locales, but in their devotion to God. I like to think of myself as a spiritual person, but I am also lazy and one who enjoys creature comforts. I don't think I'm saint material!
August 1, 2014
I found reading Valerie’s book compelling for choosing to present St. Francis as a series of scenes I am viewing in a gallery exhibition. Quite often, biographical studies overwhelm the reader with material such that a good portrait of the subject is hard to discern. Her approach has left me with many chapters from his life that I can recollect quite well.
As a student of spirituality, I have come to respect a first person account as it gives me a truer sense of what that person was really like as opposed to a projected persona that is meant to endear me. Valerie comes close to giving the reader that experience through her probing research of the many accounts available from individuals who were part of his inner circle. As monastic’s, they seemingly recorded every moment of his dramatic existence.
One question I have had, not explored in this book, is whether he ever made amends with his parents. After all, he did break one commandment to honor another. Many Franciscans I have queried over the years have been unable to shed any light on the relationship with his own family members post his profound San Damiano exclamation of a new direction in his life. Valerie did leave me with a good overall impression of who he was as the itinerant healer. He showed an extremely rare gift for being resolute in his belief of living in absolute poverty during the course of his life, never wavering. Although that has only been heeded to varying degrees, even by his contemporaries, he had profound insight into human nature and why he felt this way of life critical to our earthly salvation.
As a student of spirituality, I have come to respect a first person account as it gives me a truer sense of what that person was really like as opposed to a projected persona that is meant to endear me. Valerie comes close to giving the reader that experience through her probing research of the many accounts available from individuals who were part of his inner circle. As monastic’s, they seemingly recorded every moment of his dramatic existence.
One question I have had, not explored in this book, is whether he ever made amends with his parents. After all, he did break one commandment to honor another. Many Franciscans I have queried over the years have been unable to shed any light on the relationship with his own family members post his profound San Damiano exclamation of a new direction in his life. Valerie did leave me with a good overall impression of who he was as the itinerant healer. He showed an extremely rare gift for being resolute in his belief of living in absolute poverty during the course of his life, never wavering. Although that has only been heeded to varying degrees, even by his contemporaries, he had profound insight into human nature and why he felt this way of life critical to our earthly salvation.
November 18, 2013
Martin makes a fine contribution to the body of literature written about perhaps one of the most sacred individuals to have ever lived. The perspective that she offers provides a personal portrait that fits nicely alongside the overwhelming number of biographies written by devout religious authors and authorities.
April 3, 2015
A sensitive, modern and insightful perspective on the life of Francis. I highly recommend this for its beautiful prose as well as Ms. Martin's sincerity. This book elevates Francis out of the realm of make-believe and myth and sketches a likely portrait of a truly amazing human being.
I plan to re-read this one!
I plan to re-read this one!
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March 17, 2017Valerie Martin in Salvation fills in the realistic details of well-known scenes from the life of Francis.
September 28, 2014
A lovely and inspiring book. Beautiful language and enjoyed the scene-based writing. One need not be religious to enjoy. More of a human and objectively spiritual piece; if that's possible.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews