Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters

Rating:
Summary: Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters
Review: As one who had already read NOT OF THIS WORLD by the Monk Damascene Christenssn, I did not find this book helpful. Whereas Ms. Scott's book purports to be the "true" story of Fr. Seraphim as opposed to the "sanitized" version penned by Fr. Damascene, I found it to be remarkably unrevealing of beloved Fr. Seraphim, focusing as it did on his pre-Christian years with an almost perfunctory treatment of the time after he became an Orthodox monk.
In addition, the writing is often a haphazard collection of random reminiscences about Fr. Seraphim, provided by those who appear to have little or no sympathy with the Orthodox faith--people who consider it "a waste" that Fr. Seraphim rejected an academic career in favor of his spiritual endeavors and who attempt to attribute his zeal as a monk to an unhealthy sense of guilt.
Furthermore, the narrative contains confusing, ill-placed passages of background information and often reads like a set of index cards compiled prior to the writing of a research paper as opposed to an cohesive organism that flows along with a clear focus. The author's voice is difficult to discern. One feels that the book was written by someone outside of Holy Orthodoxy who could not really "get" what Fr. Seraphim saw in it.
It has been said that a book about a saint should be written by a saint. In this case the adage seems especially apt. Fr. Damascene's book, though much longer, is well worth the time time it takes to read it. In the case of his book, "more" is definitely more.

Rating:
Summary: Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters
Review: As one who had already read NOT OF THIS WORLD by the Monk Damascene Christenssn, I did not find this book helpful. Whereas Ms. Scott's book purports to be the "true" story of Fr. Seraphim as opposed to the "sanitized" version penned by Fr. Damascene, I found it to be remarkably unrevealing of beloved Fr. Seraphim, focusing as it did on his pre-Christian years with an almost perfunctory treatment of the time after he became an Orthodox monk.
In addition, the writing is often a haphazard collection of random reminiscences about Fr. Seraphim, provided by those who appear to have little or no sympathy with the Orthodox faith--people who consider it "a waste" that Fr. Seraphim rejected an academic career in favor of his spiritual endeavors and who attempt to attribute his zeal as a monk to an unhealthy sense of guilt.
Furthermore, the narrative contains confusing, ill-placed passages of background information and often reads like a set of index cards compiled prior to the writing of a research paper as opposed to an cohesive organism that flows along with a clear focus. The author's voice is difficult to discern. One feels that the book was written by someone outside of Holy Orthodoxy who could not really "get" what Fr. Seraphim saw in it.
It has been said that a book about a saint should be written by a saint. In this case the adage seems especially apt. Fr. Damascene's book, though much longer, is well worth the time time it takes to read it. In the case of his book, "more" is definitely more.

Rating:
Summary: Fr. Seraphim while still in the world
Review: Fr. Seraphim (+1982) is a hero of the Faith, and this book certainly revealed some details of his life before his conversion that will shock some people. I totally agree with the reviewer below when comparing Fr. Seraphim's drastic change to that of St. Mary of Egypt or Moses of Ethiopa or other saints that led scadalous lives before their conversions.

After reading, I was somewhat shocked myself at what I found out. I began to think though, how Fr. Seraphim's witness grew even stronger now that these details of his early life have come to light. It is a true testament to the power of God to change lives when one desires to walk a path of repentance.

The letters are mostly fascinating, although at times the intellectual ideas put forth by (then) Eugene Rose are of dizzying complexity. Fr. Seraphim's mind was so keen, it is such a blessing that eventually chose you use it for God instead of empty intellectualism.

Much like the other book about Fr. Seraphim ("Not of This World"), this book will certainly cause a stir. There appears to be some sort of hidden agenda in it as well. I can't tell what it is, but I just didn't feel comfortable with the tone of the narrative writing. One reviewer commented that she seemed "out of her element" writing about this. That certainly makes sense when one realizes the author's other credits include true crime journalism and books about two "ganster rappers" (Tupac Shakur & Biggie Smalls.) I found it quite odd that a person that writes about gangster rap & true crime would have any interest in writing about Fr. Seraphim (despite the fact that he is the author's uncle.) I don't want to attack the author Cathy Scott, but there was just something strange about the book.

Having read both books about Fr. Seraphim, I can't say that I really recommed either one, although there are huge plusses and minuses to both. Overall, I'd have to give the edge to "Not of This World" eventhough it is full of questionable stuff too. My hope is that someday a fitting account of Fr. Seraphim's life will be published. Until then, my suggestion to getting to know this ascetic struggler of modern times is to read his writings, and not what others have written about him.

Rating:
Summary: Good information, bad writing
Review: Fr. Seraphim (+1982) is a hero of the Faith, and this book certainly revealed some details of his life before his conversion that will shock some people. I totally agree with the reviewer below when comparing Fr. Seraphim's drastic change to that of St. Mary of Egypt or Moses of Ethiopa or other saints that led scadalous lives before their conversions.

After reading, I was somewhat shocked myself at what I found out. I began to think though, how Fr. Seraphim's witness grew even stronger now that these details of his early life have come to light. It is a true testament to the power of God to change lives when one desires to walk a path of repentance.

The letters are mostly fascinating, although at times the intellectual ideas put forth by (then) Eugene Rose are of dizzying complexity. Fr. Seraphim's mind was so keen, it is such a blessing that eventually chose you use it for God instead of empty intellectualism.

Much like the other book about Fr. Seraphim ("Not of This World"), this book will certainly cause a stir. There appears to be some sort of hidden agenda in it as well. I can't tell what it is, but I just didn't feel comfortable with the tone of the narrative writing. One reviewer commented that she seemed "out of her element" writing about this. That certainly makes sense when one realizes the author's other credits include true crime journalism and books about two "ganster rappers" (Tupac Shakur & Biggie Smalls.) I found it quite odd that a person that writes about gangster rap & true crime would have any interest in writing about Fr. Seraphim (despite the fact that he is the author's uncle.) I don't want to attack the author Cathy Scott, but there was just something strange about the book.

Having read both books about Fr. Seraphim, I can't say that I really recommed either one, although there are huge plusses and minuses to both. Overall, I'd have to give the edge to "Not of This World" eventhough it is full of questionable stuff too. My hope is that someday a fitting account of Fr. Seraphim's life will be published. Until then, my suggestion to getting to know this ascetic struggler of modern times is to read his writings, and not what others have written about him.

Rating:
Summary: Fr. Seraphim while still in the world
Review: This book certainly does balance out the 'sanitized' version of Fr. Seraphim's life we were presented in 'Not of this World', and it was absolutely refreshing. I always sensed that certain key issues were being tactfully avoided, but finally the facts are presented. He was a gay man trying to find God along with his partner. I wonder if Fr. Seraphim would have made the same decisions today in our Post Stonewall world as he did then during the homophobic era he grew up in ? Whatever the case may be, Fr. Seraphim certainly became a defender and spokesman of the Orthodox Faith and truly lived what he preached and taught.
I do wonder whatever happened to Jon and how did his life progressed after Eugene left him and gave his total love and devotion to monasticism and Orthodoxy instead of their relationship ?

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book- not hagiographic
Review: This book, written by Fr. Seraphim's niece, is a fine journalistic biography of the great American apostle of Orthodoxy. It ought to be read as an example of how worldly people understand his life, but only a partial view (that why I give it four out of five stars). It's loving, and unflinchingly truthful from the perspective of the author. The caveat is that it reads like a biography of a Christian by a non-Christian. In other words, there are big gaps in understanding. It's worth having, but also read (and have) Fr. Damascene's biography, "Fr. Seraphim Rose" as well in order to get a full picture of this saintly man. "Blessed Father Seraphim, pray for us!"