John Henry Newman: Snapdragon

by Joyce Sugg

John Henry Newman was the greatest of all the Englsih churchmen of the last two hundered years. Venerated throughout the worls, Newman's many gifts, andhis life of exemplary holiness, continue to fascinate. Famous in his own lifetime as a writer, thinker, preacher and poet, he is seen today as a prophet and a saint. Few have achieved his clarity of vision over the fundamentals of the Christian Faith, or have been able to express these timeless truths so clearly, to share them so lucidly and to coninue to inspire succeeding generations. Here is a highly readable account of his life, written with a freshness and immediacy that brings us close to the story of this remarkable man - a very English saint. Joyce Sugg, like Newman, is a convert to the Catholic Church from Anglicanism and has spent most of her life either in Oxford or in Birmingham.

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I picked up so as to read a different appraoch to John Henry Newman a renowned author and anglican priest who 'infamously' converted to catholicism in the 1840's without my realizing it was originally written for children in the 1960's. I was attracted by its title ' Snapdragon in the wall ' referring to one of his poems and it was only as I read it that I swiftly realized its original purpose but i carried on and am pleased I did. It was not, as you'd expect, particularly mind stretching or challenging but gave a very easily read and digestible account of his early life, struggles and meagre triumphs. The thing I am continually struck by in Newman's life is his fidelity to the Truth as he understood it; stepping out in real faith into the unknown following where God was calling him. And although one would have hoped that his conversion would finally have brought him peace yet all through his life he had to undergo misunderstanding and rejection even from those from whom he should have been able to draw support. Yet even in all this he remained constant and joyful in his faith. A good man and a good if simple read

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joyce Sugg provides a simple yet beautiful biography concerning the life of John Henry Newman. Although it is not the most academic, this book gives a relaxing read after a long day of work.