Wendy Mason, St Francis (novum pro 2018)
Francesco Bernardone grows up in Assisi, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. From an early age, he seems ill disposed toward a life of business, instead preferring drinking and singing. He is influenced by a literary diet of troubadour’s romances and longs to be a great knight like Roland. He was not particularly religious.
One day, keeping shop for his father, he gives the entire day’s takings to a beggar, and feels spiritually enriched by the act, despite fierce scolding from his father.
Defeated in battle, he is held for ransom at Pelugia for one year. In his small cell, he develops his method of ‘walking and praying’. He hears the voice of God, and repents his past lifestyle, beginning with the penance of a pilgrimage to Rome.
On his return, he repairs the church of St Damiano. He hides to escape his father’s wrath but has to leave home to finally be safe. He becomes an itinerant repairer of churches, dedicated to teaching others ‘how it feels to love and support one another, to bathe in God’s grace and live in anticipation of everlasting life’ and founds an order of friars.
The story is fictional but woven around what we do know of the historical St Francis. It is told in first person, and we walk alongside him. Mason really manages to bring the saint to life. His character arc, also, is interesting: the influences in his life and how they shape him and how he changes his life in order to fulfil his mission. The stories of St Francis’ life are absolutely beautiful. His travels feature some gorgeous, loving descriptions of nature, affection for which St Francis is so legendary.
There is just enough of his early family life to explain how he was motivated by his father’s disapproval, and just enough action to keep the pace up.
An enjoyable and informative read, and spiritually uplifting.
I received an ARC from the author.
Susie Helme 
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