Sainte Lydwine de Schiedam

Name: Sainte Lydwine de Schiedam
Author: J.-K. Huysmans

By J.-K. Huysmans

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About This Book

The book condenses and comments on three contemporary hagiographies of a Dutch holy woman, combining eyewitness anecdotes, reported miraculous sufferings, and accounts of her spiritual practices. It evaluates the sources—one by a relative, one by a Franciscan who translated and enlarged the narrative, and one abridged relation—then discusses editorial choices made to reconcile inconsistent dates, repeating names, and hagiographic ordering. Alongside notes on editions and translations, the editor arranges episodes for clarity and emphasizes themes of ascetic devotion, communal testimony, and the difficulty of producing a strict chronology from devotional biography.

About the Author

J.-K. Huysmans

J.-K. Huysmans was a French novelist and art critic, best known for his influential works that explore themes of aestheticism and spirituality. His most notable novel, "Against the Grain" (À rebours), is often regarded as a seminal text of the Decadent movement, presenting a protagonist who retreats from society into a world of art and sensory experience. Huysmans' writing is characterized by its rich, detailed descriptions and a deep exploration of the inner life, reflecting his own spiritual journey. Other significant works include "En Route," which delves into the author's conversion to Catholicism, and "Là-bas," a provocative exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.