Simone Weil as we knew her

Simone Weil (1909-1943) was a defining figure of the 20th century; a philosopher, Christian, resistance fighter, anarchist, feminist, labor activist and teacher, described by Albert Camus as "the only great spirit of your time." In 1941 Weil was introduced to Father Joseph-Marie Perrin, a Dominican priest whose friendship became a key influence on her life. When Weil asked Perrin for work as a field hand he sent her to Gustave Thibon, a farmer and Christian philosopher. From 1941-2 Weil stayed with the Thibon family, working in the fields and writing the notebooks which became Gravity and Grace and other posthumous works. Perrin and Thibon met Weil at a time when her spiritual life and creative genius were at their height. During the short but deep period of their acquaintance with her, they came to know her as she actually was. First published in 1953 and now introduced by J. P. Little, this unique portrait depicts Weil through the eyes of her friends, not as a strange and unaccountable genius, but as an ardent and human person in search of truth and knowledge.

Introduction to the Original Work, Gustave Thibon; Part 1 Simone Weil in Her Religious Search, J.M. Perrin; Chapter 1 Foreword; Chapter 2 Biographical Notes; Chapter 3 Evil and Redemption; Chapter 4 The Question of Baptism; Chapter 5 Faith and Philosophy; Chapter 6 The Church, Mystical and Social; Chapter 7 Syncretism and Catholicity; Chapter 8 Personal Problems; Chapter 9 The Last Months; Chapter 10 Spiritual Significance; Chapter 11 Her Message; Chapter 12 The Great Request; Part 2 Part Two, Gustave Thibon; Chapter 13 How Simone Weil Appeared to Me; Chapter 14 Vertigo of the Absolute; Chapter 15 On the Threshold of the Church;