Simon Critchley has written an in depth look at Mysticism where he focuses on certain mystics but also on poets and writers. This is a new take on the subject for me, and I enjoyed it. Many of the people he looks at are familiar to me, but there were a few new ones.

There were a lot of new ideas in this for me and I’ve added a number of books and writers to my ‘TBR’ pile. My favourite part of the book was the author examining "The Four Quartets" by TS Eliot. I ‘know’ “The Waste Land” but I’ve never really connected with TFQ. After listening to Simon Critchley talk about where Eliot gets his influences from, I’m going back to study the Quartets again.

Recommended if you’re interested in mysticism and want an overall guide to some ideas to follow up on.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

This book is for you if this topic piques your interest, and you enjoy non-fiction steeped with historical factual information about individuals accompanied with some interesting philosophy,

This book is not for you if you are intrigued by the topic and want an easy to read insight as a first timer.

I downloaded this audiobook from NetGalley and was so interested in the author’s opinions that I listened to it straight in one day.

I’ve read quite a few books and articles on Mysticism, especially women mystics. They’ve all been written by theologians and / or feminist historians, and this is the first time I’ve read something by a philosopher.

Because of this, I finished with a very long list of additions to my To Be Read list - Critchley’s interest is not how mystical experiences bring people closer to God but in how they impact on their lives. He states up-front that he believes mysticism is a way to combat the sadness he takes to be something that naturally creeps up on us in our lives.

Naturally, in making his own argument he cites other people who have written about mystical experiences from a human-focused point of view. There’s a huge amount about narrative and autobiography that I want to read in print (as opposed to listening as I did today).

Certainly, I’ll be buying a copy of the printed book to delve into again and add to my “Julian of Norwich” shelf on my bookcase.

Many thanks to publishers Profile Books and NetGalley for my copy of the audioARC in return for an honest review.

Three word review: mysticism is human.