Ms. Baldwin's well-meaning little book is remarkable for its errors. Anyone with any interest in St. Catherine's actual life should locate a second-hand copy of Johannes Jorgensen's biography. Ms. Baldwin confuses dates, ignores facts (Tommaso della fonte was apparently ordained at 10, according to her!), and doesn't proofread. She gushes interminably. There are novels about St. Catherine's life; Louis de Wohl's _Lay Siege to Heaven_ is still in print. Read that! It's much closer to the facts!

Since my last review of this book, (and the only negative review) was removed, I am reposting it. When I orded this book I was looking for a factual biography. What I got was a hagiography written in the style of a romance novel. The writing style is extremely irritating, and if you are looking for a real historical biography this not for you. Very very dissapointing.

The author is not afraid to detail the mystical experiences St. Catherine had which is encouraging for all of us. Those of us who are seaching and for those of us who have had similar experiences.

Fire of Love is a reprint and translation of St. Catherine's 15th century treatise On Purgation and Purgatory. The book does not offer much. In 17 very brief chapters, St. Catherine repeats just one idea - the souls in purgatory are rightly there, and although they suffer greatly, they are very happy because (i) they have received grace, and (ii) they desire nothing more than to be cleansed in the fires of purgatory before meeting God face to face. This book is the story of what St. Catherine learned of purgatory through the visions God blessed her with. If you're looking for an explanation of doctrine on purgatory, try the Catechism instead (1030-1032). If you're looking for inspiration, try Maria Simma, whose visions of souls suffering in purgatory has inspired her to join her sufferings with theirs in atonement for their sins.