Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Brief
400
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved By Beauty by Kate Hennessy recounts the life of Dorothy Day, a Catholic thought leader and radical pacifist, through the recollections of her daughter, Tamar, and family insights. It documents Day's transformation from a socialist-bohemian to a Catholic convert, her co-founding of the Catholic Worker Movement with Peter Maurin in 1933, and the challenges the movement faced due to its unwavering pacifism, especially during wartime, offering a unique perspective on her life's work and familial sacrifices. The book addresses themes of sexual activities and substance use.
Inspirational
Contemplative
Emotional
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
1,237 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kate Hennessy's biography, Dorothy Day, offers an intimate portrait of her grandmother, highlighting Day's spiritual journey and activism. Positive reviews commend the emotional depth and personal insights, while some criticize the narrative for a lack of broader historical context. Overall, it is a heartfelt and detailed homage but may appeal more to readers familiar with Day’s legacy.
Who Should Read Dorothy Day?
Readers with an interest in social justice, Catholicism, and memoirs of influential figures will enjoy Kate Hennessy's Dorothy Day. Comparable to The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day and Papa Francesco by Evangelina Himitian, it appeals to those drawn to biographical narratives intertwined with spiritual and social activism themes.
1,237 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
2017
Adult
18+ years
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