Fire of Love: A Historical Novel about Saint John of the Cross

by José Luis Olaizola, Stephen Caro

Born into an upper class family in Castile, Spain, Gonzalo de Yepes had good prospects - that is, until his father was ruined in a speculative venture. After his father died a pauper, Gonzalo was welcomed into the home of a rich uncle, who intended him to marry one of his younger daughters. The young man would have been set up for life, but he fell in love with Catalina Alvarez, the ward of a poor weaver, and insisted on marrying her despite his uncle's threats to cut him off from the family fortune. Thus, Gonzalo and Catalina were wed in simplicity, and their union produced three sons, the youngest of whom came to be known as Saint John of the Cross. Stories of saints do not often begin with their parents' courtship. But in this historical novel, love is at the very center of the drama, for Saint John of the Cross became one of the Church's foremost experts on intimacy with God. His mystical poems on divine love are considered some of the greatest verses ever written in the Spanish language. Richly drawn against the backdrop of Spain's Golden Age, the novel follows the joys and hardships experienced by the family of young Juan de Yepes Alvarez. His attraction to doing good for others, his call to the priesthood and his entrance into the Carmelites all unfold with captivating style. Testing Saint John to the utmost were his efforts, along with those of Saint Teresa of Avila, to reform the Carmelite Order. His Brothers in religion harshly resisted him, locking him in a cell where he was frequently beaten and nearly starved to death. In spite of all, this ardent and fascinating man would "Where there is no love, put love and you will gain love."

Genres: Fiction, Catholic

217 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2011

About the author

José Luis Olaizola Sarriá was a Spanish writer.

Reviews

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring account of the life of St. John of the Cross. Two highlights are 1) the context the contents contain and 2) the truth of the book. I would call the book a "history" rather than an "historical novel" for it is not told as a story dramatized in any way, rather it tells the facts of what happened, beginning with his father's story.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of the life of St John of the Cross. The backstory of his parents was interesting and the whole story helped me get to know this saint a bit more.

[The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written in 15 short chapters, it is the perfect length. St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila reformed the Carmelite order in 16th century Spain. "Discalced" ("descalzo" in Spanish) means barefoot, while "Calced" means shod. The Calced Carmelites had lost the original spirit of their order, falling into laxity. St Teresa of Avila recruits St John of the Cross to help establish new communities of Discalced Carmelites who take their vows of poverty seriously. They both experience severe persecution from their Calced confreres before finding lasting success. But the novel begins with a passionate love story between the parents of St John of the Cross, who married despite everything that was working to keep them apart and then preserved through many hardships. The reader may intuit that the deep love they shared somehow seeped into the souls of their sons, both of whom grew up to be saintly men. St John of the Cross was a mystic, and some of his ideas regarding the "dark night of the soul" and other matters are alluded to in this novel: God begins by nursing our soul like a mother with her child at the breast; but as the mother's love requires that her child learn to stand on his own two feet, so too might God withhold his consolation so that our souls may be strengthened. Between chapters, I read snippets from the saint's writings, which supplemented the novel for me. I have always found it daunting to read his writings in full, but this approach was more fruitful. You will meet Eusebio Latino, the black slave who was taught to read by St John of the Cross's father and became an official in the court of King Ferdinand II. You will also read about the miracles attributed to St John of the Cross and his combat with the devil.

[Kamila Murglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Książka o św. Janie od Krzyża, która o nim nie jest, a raczej tylko połowa jest o nim. Przez pierwsze 100 stron czytamy o jego rodzicach, bracie i trudnej sytuacji w Hiszpanii. Posunięcie zaskakujące, ale też strzał w dziesiątkę i w kolano jednocześnie. Olaizola Jose Luis skupia się tak naprawdę na całym tle życia św. Jana, a nie na nim samym. Wielki plus za dużo cytowanych dokumentów, szczególnie z procesu beatyfikacyjnego i listów Franciszka (brata Jana). Niestety mimo, że dobrze się czyta, to jest ten niedosyt, że jednak nie dowiadujemy się dużo o świętym. Myślę, że gdyby książka była o 100 stron dłuższa to poświęcenie tak dużej uwagi całemu tłu historycznemu zrobiłoby dużo większe wrażenie i wszyscy byliby zadowoleni.

Polecam, ale nie jako hagiografię lecz jako bardzo dobrą opowieść, z której można wyciągnąć bardzo wiele.

[Matthew Villella · Rating 3 out of 5]

If not for the story of a great Saint, this book would be rather dull.

[Kris McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jose Luis Olaizola is an award-winning Spanish writer, who is known for his acclaimed works on great historical figures such as El Cid, Hernan Cortes, Bartolome de las Casas, and Patricio Escobar. In this book, he richly offers the life of the the great Spanish mystical doctor of the Church, St. John of the Cross. Fantastic reading! Click here to listen to my discussion with Vivian Dudro, from Igantius Press, about this book

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rea this book to prepare for a Pilgrimage trip tp Spain. We will be visiting several sights relating to St. John of the Cross. ood study of the development of The Catholic Church during this period of history

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine historical novel about a great saint. Written with attention to both story and spirituality. Good points for meditation throughout. Certainly a reminder that obedience works miracles, especially in the midst of suffering.