Saint Therese of Lisieux: Nietzsche Is My Brother

by Bridget Edman

Both Thérèse of Lisieux and her contemporary, Friedrich Nietzsche, grappled in their own way with the issues of nihilism and atheism. For Thérèse, her struggles in faith led to a deepening trust and surrender to God in the face of apparent nothingness. The philosopher Nietzsche's antipathy to Christianity and religious faith in general made him a key architect of the Culture of Death and a precursor of the Death of God movement. This book, crafted as a dramatic dialogue between the young Carmelite and the philosopher, reflects the church's efforts to understand, listen to, and dialogue with those usually considered afar.



Nietzsche Is My Brother is the result of the author s own personal religious quest, which led her to the Catholic Church and eventually to enter Carmel in South Africa as a cloistered nun. The book won first prize in the International Competition for Religious Drama.



The play explores parallels and contrasts in its two protagonists but doesn t force commonalities where none exist. Like the dialogue it hopes to encourage between believers and nonbelievers, Nietzsche Is My Brother is open, honest, and thought provoking.

Genres: Catholic

86 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Michael Shurtleff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play is a powerful juxtaposition of two ways of reacting to the dark night of the soul. I also see undertones comparing the Culture of Death (of which Nietzsche was an architect) with the Culture of Life. There's a lot here! I initially started reading it because of my affinity for Carmelite spirituality; and also to pre-read it to possibly suggest it to the drama teacher at my daughter's Catholic school. Now, I don't know if high school students could pull off a performance, due to the emotional depth of some of the scenes (which requires more life experience than most teenagers have...)

[Giacomo Gubert · Rating 3 out of 5]

TO CLING TO GOD


Bridget Edman wrote: "During eighteen months of the darkest night and lurking, tempting despair, Thérèse clung onto God who remained silent. While so many of great minds of her time gave in in to the despair welling up from within - that despair that is always threatening to choke man and remains his greatest enemy on his way back to God - she managed, by tremendous effort and strength of willpower and mind, to cling onto God in heroic faith without any consolation". This is the meaning of this interesting play.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

was not expecting to like this book yet i found the play compelling...i will actually suggest it to atheists as it will give them something to think about.

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would need to see this on stage for the full effect, but even just reading it was quite moving.