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Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
M.B. Anderson writes a modern update of The Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila. Considered a central figure in the movement of spiritual and monastic renewal, Teresa wrote this book to serve as a spiritual guide for her Carmelite sisters. She writes about how she received a vision of the soul as a brilliant castle, which then becomes the foundation of her work. She writes about the journey of the human soul, which begins with the voice of God calling us from within. To better illustrate her vision, she illustrates the human soul as a castle made up of many mansions in which the soul goes through different levels of experiences. Learning from the power of prayer and reading the Bible, the discerning of mystical experiences, the types of suffering that our soul may endure on earth, and the spiritual favors that God provides. While she has mentioned seven mansions, she states at the end that each mansion contains many more rooms above, below, and around it, which you are welcome to explore to find anything that may help you get to know God better.
M.B. Anderson’s love for classical texts is magnificently reflected in the way she manages to capture Teresa’s emotional voice that appeals to human sensibility and uplifts the spirit. You do not feel far removed from the original text of The Interior Castle as the enticing metaphors and descriptions that characterize Teresa’s experience with the divine are delivered with pristine clarity. Considered an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature, this devotional work has become a major part of the literary canon of Christian mysticism. As Anderson delves into the wisdom of this profound Spanish noblewoman who was called to convent life, The Interior Castle is sure to attract interest from contemporary readers, especially those with a keen interest in spirituality, meditation, and devotional studies.
