René Girard

James G. Williams

In one volume, an anthology of seminal work of one of the twentieth century's most original thinkers.

The Girard Reader

Dana Kraft

This gets four stars because Part 5 is going to keep me thinking for a long time, not because the book is a particularly enjoyable read. It’s really a philosophy textbook so it’s dense and hard to read straight through. I read it because it was referenced in The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr. I followed the editors suggestion and started with the interview at the end of the book. I eventually just skipped to Part 5, The Bible, The Gospels and Christ, which was the most interesting to me by far. 

I liked the constant reminder that the Gospels are way deeper than the specific details they describe. I knew that but I think it’s easy to stick with the obvious stuff and ignore the deeper meanings that are really more interesting and profound.

I liked the chapter about Satan and how he defines that word. I also loved the reference to the word “skandalon” (like scandal) as something that attracts us in proportion to the suffering or irritation that it causes us.

The Girard Reader

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