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The Lion and the Saint: A Novella
Many centuries ago in the wilds of Africa, a startling and mystical friendship developed between a lion and a saint. St. Gerasim served the lion by removing a thorn from its paw, and in turn the lion served St. Gerasim and his monastery for the rest of his life. This small gem of a story shows us this extraordinary friendship through the eyes of the lion, and of a baboon he befriends along the way, allowing us to participate in the lion's transformation—through contact with holiness—from an undifferentiated dumb beast to a particular lion with his own name and destiny. The Lion and the Saint may be enjoyed by good readers from preteen to adult.
- GenresFiction
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2020
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 24, 2021
I tried to write a review that would express my thoughts on the meaning and do credit to this sweet story, but found that it simply wasn't something I could put into words, only feel in my heart. Definitely 5 stars, and definitely recommended. 💗
"How will I bear it - to be more than hamadryas among all the others who are merely baboons?
But then, how can I not? In order to be more than hamadryas I must also be fully hamadryas, drinking the cup to its last drop. I have lived among men and not been human. I must know what it means to live among my own kind."
"How will I bear it - to be more than hamadryas among all the others who are merely baboons?
But then, how can I not? In order to be more than hamadryas I must also be fully hamadryas, drinking the cup to its last drop. I have lived among men and not been human. I must know what it means to live among my own kind."
October 15, 2020
This book stunned me -- it's powerfully and beautifully written, and it stays with me. Wolfe tells the story of St. Gerasim and the lion in such a unique, memorable way, giving the lion a poetic, regal voice. I love how she tells the story, my kids were just as captivated as I. This is a wonderfully different book, and will live in the readers' imagination long after the story ends. I highly recommend it.
January 1, 2021
What a piece of art. I had no expectations when beginning the audio book version, and I quickly became immersed in the story. As audiobook narrator, the author does a superb job and brings life to the characters. The author created something wonderful. The story itself is multilayered in a way that my entire family could enjoy it and connect with different aspects depending on age. My 4 and 6 year olds liked hearing about the Lion in particular. My 8 and 10 year olds were able to understand more of the surface layer spirituality and faith aspects. I am still processing the story for myself and hope to relisten soon as some of the faith elements struck me much deeper than I expected. It isn't that the book is complex, but it resonates in me in such a way that I think I could use a second listen.
The writing itself flows beautifully and is wonderfully rich with rhythm and vocabulary. The pacing is just right in order to move story along while allowing for contemplation.
I think this is a book that most people, of all ages, would enjoy and benefit from, and some readers/listeners may be greatly encouraged in their life journey.
The writing itself flows beautifully and is wonderfully rich with rhythm and vocabulary. The pacing is just right in order to move story along while allowing for contemplation.
I think this is a book that most people, of all ages, would enjoy and benefit from, and some readers/listeners may be greatly encouraged in their life journey.
March 3, 2021
I bought this book for my 13 year old son. He devoured it in a day or two, which I expected. When he finished it, he put it in my bed telling me I need to read it. I have a stack of books to read but decided this was a short one that I could enjoy between my other books. It’s an interesting story told from the viewpoint of St. Gerasim’s lion friend and the lion’s baboon friend. Beautifully written and not steeped in theology but depicting the live of God and the joy of following Him through sensual descriptions of smell, sight, touch - being alive and aware...
December 19, 2020
This story begins with a lion living a lions life, told from the lion's point of view in lyrical prose. We were the gleaming lion's mane, smell the scents be smells and feel the vibration of his roar through the gorgeous imagery of this story. We also observe him through his unusual baboon companion, who teaches hims how to speak. Together they meet St. Gerasim, and the rest of the story, while known to history, is deftly told through their eyes. Laura Wolfe makes an excellent narrator, modulating her voice in such a way that we always know when it is the lion speaking, and when it is the baboon. I listened to this book with my children and we all enjoyed the story and the narration. My 5-year-old who loves animals enjoyed hearing a story from their point of view, and my older two enjoyed learning the story of a saint in this way.
While the story of the lion follows closely to the story we know about St. Gerasim, some of the father's names at the monastery are drawn from the Egyptian desert fathers (Abba Poemen, Abba Macarius, Abba Moses), but would have pre dated Gerasim and lived in Scetis, not near the Jordan. I explained to my children that the author might have drawn upon the Desert Fathers to name the other monks.
It is known that St. Gerasim attended the Council of Chalcedon and this is mentioned in the story, but as a member of a Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church I appreciated the author not going into great detail about what happened there. The saint's impressions of what happened could easily have been the impression of any saintly person on either side of the Caledonian controversy.
Overall this is a beautifully written and unique way to tell the story of this saint and his unusual relationship with a lion. I look forward to more writing from this author.
While the story of the lion follows closely to the story we know about St. Gerasim, some of the father's names at the monastery are drawn from the Egyptian desert fathers (Abba Poemen, Abba Macarius, Abba Moses), but would have pre dated Gerasim and lived in Scetis, not near the Jordan. I explained to my children that the author might have drawn upon the Desert Fathers to name the other monks.
It is known that St. Gerasim attended the Council of Chalcedon and this is mentioned in the story, but as a member of a Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church I appreciated the author not going into great detail about what happened there. The saint's impressions of what happened could easily have been the impression of any saintly person on either side of the Caledonian controversy.
Overall this is a beautifully written and unique way to tell the story of this saint and his unusual relationship with a lion. I look forward to more writing from this author.
January 17, 2021
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
The Lion and the Saint is a sweet little book about St. Gerasim. It is a tale reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling stories where animals are the story tellers and the rules of nature dominate. This story begins with anecdotes of pride life and the wild rhythms of the savannah. It chronicles the partnership that develops between a strong, prideful lion and a timid but loyal baboon. It continues with the animal pair becoming members and friends of a monastic community far from their native environment. It ends with the lion and the baboon finding peace in their true callings as parts of the divinely-created world. At it’s essence, though, it is a lesson on how when another person truly sees you with love, it sparks the ultimate journey - to seek and become ones own unique & essential self.
Some of the vocabulary and writing style may be a little advanced for some preteens, but it is an appealing narrative for adults and older children alike. Author Laura E. Wolfe is a clear, slow narrator who’s tone sets an appropriate fable-like mood.
The Lion and the Saint is a fun twist on a classic saint tale of a godly person overcoming the natural barriers between humanity and the animal world and the moral of the story is one so applicable to our day and age - becoming your true self is a journey well-worth the hardship. It is truly “good news meant for all creatures great and small.”
The Lion and the Saint is a sweet little book about St. Gerasim. It is a tale reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling stories where animals are the story tellers and the rules of nature dominate. This story begins with anecdotes of pride life and the wild rhythms of the savannah. It chronicles the partnership that develops between a strong, prideful lion and a timid but loyal baboon. It continues with the animal pair becoming members and friends of a monastic community far from their native environment. It ends with the lion and the baboon finding peace in their true callings as parts of the divinely-created world. At it’s essence, though, it is a lesson on how when another person truly sees you with love, it sparks the ultimate journey - to seek and become ones own unique & essential self.
Some of the vocabulary and writing style may be a little advanced for some preteens, but it is an appealing narrative for adults and older children alike. Author Laura E. Wolfe is a clear, slow narrator who’s tone sets an appropriate fable-like mood.
The Lion and the Saint is a fun twist on a classic saint tale of a godly person overcoming the natural barriers between humanity and the animal world and the moral of the story is one so applicable to our day and age - becoming your true self is a journey well-worth the hardship. It is truly “good news meant for all creatures great and small.”
July 28, 2022
This was cute! A quick but powerful read. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
This is the story of a mighty lion and a young baboon who unexpectedly meet St. Gerasim, a holy monk who teaches them that they can be more than their natures and introduces them to a life that goes beyond mere instinct.
I loved the message and the writing. It's written from two perspectives (the lion and the baboon) and the story-telling lends itself to brilliant imagery and vibrancy. I loved the line that a friend is one who sees you as "particular", and the implications that humanity can choose to be more or less than what they are. It had a lot in it for a small book!
I do think it needed just a little more to the ending. It felt rushed to me. I also would've appreciated an appendix or author's note with a little history on who St. Gerasim was and the inspiration for the story (for those of us who weren't raised Orthodox). However, it was a very beautiful read and I could see it being a good family read as well (although the reading level is probably more high-school age). It was a fun and quick read!
This is the story of a mighty lion and a young baboon who unexpectedly meet St. Gerasim, a holy monk who teaches them that they can be more than their natures and introduces them to a life that goes beyond mere instinct.
I loved the message and the writing. It's written from two perspectives (the lion and the baboon) and the story-telling lends itself to brilliant imagery and vibrancy. I loved the line that a friend is one who sees you as "particular", and the implications that humanity can choose to be more or less than what they are. It had a lot in it for a small book!
I do think it needed just a little more to the ending. It felt rushed to me. I also would've appreciated an appendix or author's note with a little history on who St. Gerasim was and the inspiration for the story (for those of us who weren't raised Orthodox). However, it was a very beautiful read and I could see it being a good family read as well (although the reading level is probably more high-school age). It was a fun and quick read!
January 16, 2024
Maybe this shouldn’t be 5 stars, as I don’t feel passionately about it (I wouldn’t rant or rave about it), but it was wonderful and I can’t find fault with it. Perhaps, it is just a quiet book in its nature.
It had some interesting connections to the movie Sacred Alaska, which I just watched, about sacrifice in nature and becoming a “real person” or “more than a person”
Things I liked:
- Realistic relationships: how St. Gerasim’s relationship with Jordannes was different from his with Astennu in accord with each of their previous life experiece and how Astennu and Jordannes’ relationship changed throughout the book
- Interesting spiritual tidbits
- How the animal world was portrayed (differences that made sense while still respecting and honoring each, as they both have something to teach us)
- St. Gerasim felt holy and like someone I’d want to know
- (I had one more thing to say, but I’ve forgotten, if I remember, it’ll go here)
I wondered about why St. Gerasim kept Astennu’s name. I suppose the symbol of his namesake, despite being a pagan god, helped him grow closer to God and understand his role, and St. Gerasim explores it further. It perhaps gives him purpose.
It had some interesting connections to the movie Sacred Alaska, which I just watched, about sacrifice in nature and becoming a “real person” or “more than a person”
Things I liked:
- Realistic relationships: how St. Gerasim’s relationship with Jordannes was different from his with Astennu in accord with each of their previous life experiece and how Astennu and Jordannes’ relationship changed throughout the book
- Interesting spiritual tidbits
- How the animal world was portrayed (differences that made sense while still respecting and honoring each, as they both have something to teach us)
- St. Gerasim felt holy and like someone I’d want to know
- (I had one more thing to say, but I’ve forgotten, if I remember, it’ll go here)
I wondered about why St. Gerasim kept Astennu’s name. I suppose the symbol of his namesake, despite being a pagan god, helped him grow closer to God and understand his role, and St. Gerasim explores it further. It perhaps gives him purpose.
October 8, 2020
I have always loved the story of St. Gerasimos and his lion, so I was excited to hear about this book. It puts a different spin on the story by telling it from the perspective of the lion and his baboon friend that he meets along the way. The difference in perspective is reflected beautifully in the writing style - there is a raw edge to the storytelling that makes the lion's voice distinctive. This distinctiveness, this particularity, is a theme throughout the book that highlights indirectly how each one of us is also a particular person, beloved of Christ.
I truly appreciated how a fresh perspective on a familiar story brought it alive in a new way.
I truly appreciated how a fresh perspective on a familiar story brought it alive in a new way.
October 10, 2020
The Lion and the Saint by Laura E. Wolfe was an absolute pleasure to read. The storytelling is rich and creative. I empathized with both Jordanes and Astennu. Even though they are only animals, they are very human-like with human feelings and thoughts. This is more than a simple parable and the author reaches her audience without being preachy, which I appreciate. We all need to feel we belong and Jordanes and Astennu are no different. The author uses humor and beautiful language to grow these characters and make them particular. This is an enchanting story; one we will read over and over again.
April 14, 2024
Based on a true story of a 5th century (I think) orthodox Christian monk. The way the author brings you into the story and executes it is very interesting and unique, however I think it lacks depth. I finished it over the course of 2 days and constantly was thinking of lessons to be taken from it, but there were none. I was a bit disappointed once I finished it, as I felt it started strong but then fizzled out hard, leaving me feeling as if I gained nothing. In all it is a cool little book, but the author, who had set it up to deliver an impactful message, fell flat on that set up.
February 25, 2021
Curious and beautiful
This little work of words is not at all what I expected. It’s a poetic novella breathing life and woods into the lion and baboon who accompanied St Gerasim centuries ago. The language is captivating and instantly drew me in. The narrative itself is a bit fuzzy and disjointed and the ending is somewhat dissatisfying, but perhaps that is also the charm of the work. Definitely a surprising and memorable work of art.
This little work of words is not at all what I expected. It’s a poetic novella breathing life and woods into the lion and baboon who accompanied St Gerasim centuries ago. The language is captivating and instantly drew me in. The narrative itself is a bit fuzzy and disjointed and the ending is somewhat dissatisfying, but perhaps that is also the charm of the work. Definitely a surprising and memorable work of art.
November 14, 2020
This is a uniquely written and touching story about Saint Gerasim and his animal friends, and the great wisdom they gain from each other. I enjoyed and highly recommend this novella.
January 18, 2021
Pretty good Orthodox fiction.
January 5, 2025
I loved it!
March 21, 2025
Awesome book!
June 30, 2025
I am lion
April 6, 2021
Beautiful written. I was captivated from the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews