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4.0
This collection of letters, presented in the original Italian alongside an English translation, is a fascinating look into the lives of Galileo Galilei and his daughter, a nun at the Convent of San Matteo. There is an introduction that gives an overview of Virginia Galilei's life, and there follow 124 of her letters to her father that are still in existence. Not being able to read Italian, I guess I can't say this is an impeccable translation, but I'm pretty sure that it is. Suor Maria Celeste (the name Virginia took when she took her nun's vows) and her sister (Suor Arcangela) lead a cloistered life with the Poor Clares, and the poverty of the lifesyle comes through in the continual updates of the health of herself and the other sisters at the convent, as well as in the contiual requests for small sums of money, bits of cloth, and ingredients for medicines, candies, and soups. But equally evident is the matter-of-fact acceptance of their poor condition, even the joy in the minimalist lives they lead. Prayer for the needy is one of the main occupations of the Poor Clares, but Suor Maria also works in the apothecary and infirmary, she leads choir and teaches Gregorian chants to novices, she writes letters of business for the mother abbess, and she even writes plays and performs in them. She often speaks of not having enough time to rest, and yet she carves out time to write almost weekly to her famous father. She always addresses him formally, and yet the affection and love in their relationship is over abundant. Rather than seem to rigid or disant, the use of formal flourishes only adds to the expressions of love and devotion. Suor Maria was educated before she entered the convent by her father and her grandmother, though she never received any formal education. She writes long sentences perfectly, with graceful turns of phrase, and on the the first draft (she hadn't time or paper to waste on revisions. The translator attributes her literary grace to her father, " who is considered a giant of Italian prose." His responses to her have been lost, but it is clear from her responses that he wrote back just as frequently, and never denied her requests, for which she is always careful to express greatest thanks. While Galileo is in Rome during his trial and after, when he is still forbidden to return home, Suor Maria does much to take care of his household, sending him reports on the garden, his wine cellar, and household expenses. Unfortunately, she falls ill and dies a few months after his return home, cutting short her life at the age of 33, worn down by the worry of the previous year while her father was away. She never hints that she thinks his work is heretical, though she does pray when he writes of new work that "for love of God may these new subjects not chance to meet the same luck as past ones, already written." Never is there any doubt of the strong faith of this family, and Galielo certainly does not lack for friends that care for his fate, assist in caring for his household while he is gone, and work on his behalf in Rome to mitigate his sentence. All of the nuns pray for his good health and safe return. The letters never touch on the content of Galileo's work, but the details of everyday life are just as fascinating as the movements of the heavenly bodies. I also now want to find candied citrons, apparently Galileo's favorite treat of the many candies and pastries that Suor Maria makes for him.
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