37 pages • 1 hour read
The Seven Storey Mountain
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Book Brief
The Seven Storey Mountain
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1948467
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
1940s
1948
Adult
18+ years
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.
Contemplative
Inspirational
Melancholic
Emotional
Informative
Reviews & Readership
23,244 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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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.
23,244 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
John Paul Merton
John Paul Merton
Thomas Merton's younger brother whose life, while tragically cut short during World War II, influences Merton's reflections on family and loss.
467
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
1940s
1948
Adult
18+ years
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