The Spiritual Vision of St. Francis Through the Eyes of Hermann Hesse
Before Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and his Nobel Prize in Literature, Hermann Hesse turned his attention to another great spiritual rebel: Francis of Assisi.
Long unavailable in English, Hesse’s luminous meditation on Francis is finally presented in a fresh, accessible translation by scholar Daniel DeForest London, accompanied by extensive introductions, annotations, and companion essays that reveal why the “Little Poor Man of Assisi” continues to captivate spiritual seekers across religious traditions.
But this is far more than a historical biography.
Through Hesse’s poetic imagination, Francis emerges as a joyful revolutionary—a lover of beauty, a poet of nature, a fearless peacemaker, and a man whose radical compassion challenged the assumptions of his age. His journey from wealthy partygoer to joyful mystic becomes a timeless invitation to live with greater freedom, presence, and love.
This landmark edition also includes:
- The first modern English translation of Hesse’s Francis of Assisi
- Hesse’s rarely seen story “The Children’s Flower Procession”
- His review of The Little Flowers of St. Francis
- A substantial introduction exploring Francis through the lenses of spirituality, psychology, ecology, and contemplative practice
- Reflection questions for personal meditation and group discussion
- Original essays including “The Zen of St. Francis” and “A Sermon on the Empathy of St. Francis.”
Whether you are a devoted Franciscan, a student of Hermann Hesse, or simply someone searching for a wiser way of living in a fractured world, this remarkable volume offers a fresh encounter with one of history’s most beloved spiritual visionaries.
Part literary discovery, part spiritual companion, and part invitation to a more compassionate life, this is St. Francis as you’ve never encountered him before.