Book Review: Romans

Sayings and Stories are to be read with profit. In order to aid this, Vivian explains the genre of the texts well as a mixture of hagiography and ‘communication’ (di eg esis). So he is absolutely right to take time over this, looking also at the meaning and origin of the term apophthegm and the key themes that recur. He makes unexpected connections with Buddhism andmore conventional ones with ThomasMerton, who remains something of a giant in monastic literature, although there are more modern monastic spiritual writers. His style is very informal, and in many ways, the text reads as though meant to be spoken rather than read, particularly evident in his use of rhetorical questions and interjections. This is not intended as a criticism, but rather as an impression. This renders the text very readable and the reader may find themselves imagining the author speaking the words. Vivian does not shy away from using Greek or Coptic vocabulary, but when used, it is accurately transliterated, translated and explained. Accuracy is clearly prized in this volume, as is evident in the correct spelling of Søren Kierkegaard, something that defeats far too many authors. The actual text of the Sayings and Stories begins on page 89 and is accompanied by references, which enable the reader to locate the saying in Migne and in Jean-Claude Guy’s Apophthegmata Patrum. The reader need not read the footnotes in copious detail, which explain vocabulary, historical, religious and theological context, but he would be advised always to cast an eye at the bottom of the page and is certain to learn much. The book ends with the Glossary,Dramatis Personae, giving a potted biography of the Fathers and Mothers mentioned, often with reference to secondary literature and finally a select bibliography (English with a few French works) and indices. This book should appeal to a wide constituency. Novice Masters and Mistresses would do well to direct their charges to the Introduction, as would those in universities or colleges, teaching courses on the origins of monasticism. Church historians will appreciate the new translation, which gives an authentic flavour to the sayings and stories that are fundamentally part of the oral tradition. This is but the first volume, and we look forward to the publication of the other volumes.