Why Religion?: A Personal Story
Why Religion?: A Personal Story
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Brief
BetaWhy Religion?: A Personal Story
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018256
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
•
Philosophy2010s
•
Religion & Spirituality2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Why Religion?: A Personal Story, renowned scholar Elaine Pagels reflects on how religious traditions influence human understanding, especially during times of personal struggle. Through her narrative, Pagels explores the intersection of faith, history, and personal experience, offering insight into how religion shapes lives and responds to profound loss.
Contemplative
Emotional
Inspirational
Informative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
3,938 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elaine Pagels' Why Religion?: A Personal Story blends memoir with religious scholarship. Critics praise her poignant recounting of personal loss and her insight into religious history. Some feel the narrative strays from academic rigor. Overall, it’s an intimate exploration of spirituality's role in coping with grief.
Who Should Read Why Religion?: A Personal Story?
A reader drawn to Why Religion?: A Personal Story by Elaine Pagels likely appreciates introspective memoirs that explore faith, grief, and spirituality. Fans of works like When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi and The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion may find similar resonance and depth.
3,938 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
•
Philosophy2010s
•
Religion & Spirituality2018
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!