37 pages • 1 hour read
Thomas MertonThe Seven Storey Mountain
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1948A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Seven Storey Mountain: An Autobiography of Faith by Thomas Merton details his journey from a secular childhood in France and New York, through his aimless early adulthood marked by struggles and poor choices, to his eventual conversion to Catholicism and commitment to the monastic life at the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky. The book recounts his spiritual odyssey in alignment with the structure of Dante's Divine Comedy, depicting Merton's transformation and ascension toward spiritual fulfillment. The book contains descriptions of death, war, poverty, gambling, profanity, and racial discussion.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton is widely acclaimed for its profound spiritual insights and compelling narrative style. Reviewers often praise Merton's honest introspection and eloquent prose. However, some criticize its dense theological discussions and occasional lack of narrative cohesion. Overall, it remains a seminal work in spiritual autobiography.
Who Should Read The Seven Storey Mountain?
Readers who enjoy The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton are likely to be drawn to profound spiritual autobiographies and contemplative literature. They may also appreciate works like The Confessions by Saint Augustine and The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day. This book appeals to those exploring faith, personal transformation, and the search for meaning.
Recommended
Reading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Religion / Spirituality
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Christian literature
Biography